Hanna's self-esteem improves after a bit. I think early on, her characterization suffers a bit in that regard due to the fact that book!Hanna pretty much canonically requires being objectified by boys to be able to feel good about herself. tv!Hanna gets over needing boys to feel good about herself pretty quickly.
(I read the first 10 books last year in a bit of trainwreck syndrome where I just stared in horror at the terrible choices and judgement parade, and find it hard to like anyone, and only find Emily and Aria to be sympathetic.)
From what I've read about the books, I wouldn't like them at all.
I actually really like Hanna as a character and find her pretty realistic - I've known girls like that. I think out of the four, she and Spencer have it the toughest - Emily seems pretty strong and grounded and I see her moving to a big town after she graduates and having a good life, with nobody in a big town caring she is a lesbian. And while Aria's Dad is a cheater, that family seems to love her, and she just generally seems pretty mature for her age. But Spencer's family is a total nightmare. I mean, she is bound to be in therapy a decade from now trying to fix the damage they are doing to her. And while Hanna's Mom loves her, she is clearly not instilling 'your value comes from within and yourself, not looks and boys' mindset, quite the opposite, and she is also very emotionally fragile from being unpopular earlier...
The books are...well, I read them going "HOW DID THE SHOW COME OUT OF THIS?" and then when I spot book plots showing up in the show, I want to wail (but then they're almost always vastly improved upon.)
I agree about Hanna being the most realistic.
With Spencer's family, I mostly just hate her dad*. Melissa and their mom I'm actually very fond of, and while they're not exactly nice people, I find them pretty interesting and sympathetic.
I dislike Melissa and her mother and her father equally. I am an equal opportunity hater with that family (it's a realistic pattern though - I've heard of families where there is a favorite child and one who can do no right. Ugh). I mean, I might change my mind later, but for now...
I dislike both the Dads we met so far (Aria's and Spencer's) and it's pretty clear Hanna's Dad is no prince. At this point I am wondering if any character on this show, main or supporting, is going to have a decent father.
OT but I'm following your tumblr and guh all your caps of Defiance are awesome!
Alak is being so protective of Christie and he has a bad boy thing going on as well. One of my favorite tropes is the bad boy who is totally in love and protective of the main girl. And then the drifter relationship between Nolan and Irisa has such an interesting story to it I want to know more about how they met ajdfadkf. I'm totally fangirling this show rn.
Me too! Also, Itazura na Kiss Live in Tokyo is adorable. I think it'll be my favorite version out of all the adaptations. I would check out the Canadian show 18 to Life as well. Super shippy and cute.
Ooooh, now I am all agog - does he have a kdrama terminal illness or moneylenders with red stickers after him? Or maybe he and his sister are *gasp* fakecesting or maybe his mother is actually not his mother? Hmmmm....
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(I read the first 10 books last year in a bit of trainwreck syndrome where I just stared in horror at the terrible choices and judgement parade, and find it hard to like anyone, and only find Emily and Aria to be sympathetic.)
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I actually really like Hanna as a character and find her pretty realistic - I've known girls like that. I think out of the four, she and Spencer have it the toughest - Emily seems pretty strong and grounded and I see her moving to a big town after she graduates and having a good life, with nobody in a big town caring she is a lesbian. And while Aria's Dad is a cheater, that family seems to love her, and she just generally seems pretty mature for her age. But Spencer's family is a total nightmare. I mean, she is bound to be in therapy a decade from now trying to fix the damage they are doing to her. And while Hanna's Mom loves her, she is clearly not instilling 'your value comes from within and yourself, not looks and boys' mindset, quite the opposite, and she is also very emotionally fragile from being unpopular earlier...
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I agree about Hanna being the most realistic.
With Spencer's family, I mostly just hate her dad*. Melissa and their mom I'm actually very fond of, and while they're not exactly nice people, I find them pretty interesting and sympathetic.
*Actually, I hate all the dad's except Emily's.
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I dislike both the Dads we met so far (Aria's and Spencer's) and it's pretty clear Hanna's Dad is no prince. At this point I am wondering if any character on this show, main or supporting, is going to have a decent father.
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Alak is being so protective of Christie and he has a bad boy thing going on as well. One of my favorite tropes is the bad boy who is totally in love and protective of the main girl. And then the drifter relationship between Nolan and Irisa has such an interesting story to it I want to know more about how they met ajdfadkf. I'm totally fangirling this show rn.
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