Sweet Magnolias Books vs Netflix's Version: 7 Biggest Differences
Serenity feels like a whole new town on screen.
Netflix's romantic drama Sweet Magnolias is said to be based on the 11-book series of the same name by Sherryl Woods. However, those who have read the novels say that the show is only inspired by them and that there are many differences between the stories on paper and what we see on screen.
Here are the biggest changes Netflix has made to the books.
1. Format
Each Woods novel tells a new love story of a Serenity resident, unlike the show, which focuses on three best friends, Maddie, Dana Sue, and Helen, and their relationships and families.
2. Main Characters
Perhaps because of the previous point, the show's characters, especially the main trio, feel more fleshed out and nuanced than in the books. In the novels, readers don't really see much of the characters' lives after they finish their solo stories, as they simply stay in the background.
The character that deserves special mention as the most changed is Annie, Dana Sue's daughter. She has an eating disorder and many health issues in the novels, which serves as a device to bring Dana Sue and Ronnie as well as Annie and Ty closer. The series, however, did not use that angle at all.
3. Love Stories
The relationship arcs of both the main and secondary characters were largely changed for the screen adaptation. The most changed is probably Helen's story, since Ryan doesn't exist in the books and Erik is Helen's only love interest.
The main conflict is their views on children: Helen really wants them and Erik doesn't. In a plot twist that disturbed many readers, Helen uses Erik as a non-consensual sperm donor, but everything turns out well in the end. Well, maybe it's for the best that the show dropped this storyline.
4. New Characters
Besides Ryan, the show introduced other new characters, the most important of which is Isaac. His storyline was a big part of Season 3, adding much intrigue and drama to the plot.
5. Missing Characters
Unfortunately, many beloved characters from the book series — such as the protagonists of the eighth novel, Elliott Cruz and Karen Ames (who was replaced by Isaac) — did not find their way to the screen. However, they could still appear in future seasons. After all, Netflix doesn't seem ready to cancel the show anytime soon.
6. Small-Town Vibe
Some readers note that the show largely lacks the small-town atmosphere of Woods' Serenity. The books are really good at showing how small-town politics, gossip, and general life works, while the adaptation feels more like the fantasy of someone who's never set foot in a town like Serenity.
7. Religion
Because of their small-town nature, the books are heavily rooted in religion, which plays a big role in the characters' lives. For better or worse (every fan has their own opinion on this), the show has moved away from this theme.