Little Fires Everywhere, revisited

The television adaptation of Little Fires Everywhere, produced by Reese Witherspoon, just finished airing on Hulu. If you haven't watched it yet, what are you doing?? The show also stars a fiery Kerry Washington and some talented, fresh-faced new comers.

I've already written a review of the novel here, but I wanted to share my thoughts on the differences present in the show.

Race

The change most evident before the show even began airing was the race of Mia and Pearl. While their race in the book is never expressly identified, it can be inferred that they're white. I think that giving them a definite race, specifically black, gave the show space to discuss class disparity, racial inequities, and political correctness in the 90s that wasn't present in the book.

Many of the white television characters were constantly stumbling over off-color comments, despite toting themselves as "accepting" and "progressive." The often earnest intentions, yet uncomfortable tension made for several awkward, thought-provoking moments.

Insider Insight

In Vulture, the novel's author, Celeste Ng, and the TV showrunner, Liz Tigelaar, talked about the race change decision here.

Elena's Past

I loved getting to learn more about Elena! In the past she studied abroad in Paris and dated Jamie, a super hot aspiring journalist. He suggests they ditch their lame post-grad plans and stay together in Paris a little longer, then move to New York. Elena, set on her plan to live in their hometown and have a family, says no, and the two split.

Later, we learn that Jamie is living it up in NYC as a writer for the Times. He's gotten to travel, write amazing by-lines, and achieve the dreams he had he in college. Meanwhile all Elena has done is give birth to four children and achieve no professional success. I resonated with her disillusionment of a married, suburban life and how quickly her life had become something she didn't want. To me, Jamie serves as this depressing parallel for Elena of what could have been. Elena flirts with infidelity, evidence that she is unhappy with her life, whether she wants to admit it or not.

I felt like this story arc gave the audience a mental path to trace leading up to the woman Elena was in episode 1 and the psycho she'd broken down to by the finale. It gave her character depth and nuance that was absent in the book. Elena projects the dreams she had for her life onto her children, putting immense pressure on them to live up to her standards and leading to the ultimate mental break they all suffer.

Insider Insight

Harper's Bazaar reports on who Jamie was in the original story.

Izzy's Sexuality

In the book, I didn't understand why Izzy hated her mother so much. It didn't feel warranted. But this subplot helped explain why Izzy felt misunderstood in so many different ways. The way that Izzy's "best friend" treated her, and the subsequent bullying by classmates, allowed viewers to feel more empathy and understanding for the character. I think it also showed how isolated Izzy was because she doesn't have anyone in her life she can be honest and unpack her evolving sexuality with. I also liked, even though it was sad, how much they show emphasized that Elena never wanted Izzy in the first place. The unwanted child coincidentally being the most difficult to deal with. In my opinion, their thorny relationship and escalating mother-daughter tension fit the finale's events.

Insider Insight

Liz Tigelaar talks to Out magazine about addressing sexuality with characters who were not queer in the book.

The Ending

The ending was different than the book, and I won't spoil it. I liked it more than the original (I think), but...I'm still not convinced that was a good enough reason to burn a whole house down. However, I also thought that with the novel so whatever.

Overall, the TV show sticks close enough to the book to keep all of the amazing plot. But as an adaptation it evolves the layers the novel already laid out to create an interesting, thought-provoking series. I will probably watch it again.