Virgin River Is Better as a Show Than a Book Series, Here's All the Proof

Summary

• Netflix's Virgin River is one of the most popular romance dramas.
• There's a good reason why the show is better than the novels it's based on.
• There are viewers who continue to watch Virgin River because of the main duo.

Since its release in 2019, Virgin River has been a hit for Netflix. Based on Robyn Carr's eponymous cycle of novels, the romance drama instantly proved popular with viewers who couldn't help but get invested in the story of its endearing main character, Mel Monroe. Having lost her husband shortly after a miscarriage, she decides to start a new life in a small town in Northern California, where she applies for a nursing job. Naturally, a series of intriguing events ensue.

Throughout its five-season run, Virgin River has also captivated audiences with the stories of its many other characters. But most importantly, the show has made people interested in the books. And as much as the source stories are considered better than their adaptations, that doesn't seem to be the case with Virgin River.

Devil Is in the Details

Certainly, Robyn Carr's novels have a lot of strengths. First and foremost, the side characters are given ample development in the books, with Preacher, Brie, and Doc having much more satisfying character arcs. Still, there are subtle details that make the source material unreadable. Primarily, these have to do with Virgin River's leads, Mel and Jack.

For example, Melinda has a much more tragic backstory in the novels than in the show. Her first husband, Mark, was brutally stabbed in a store after his work shift, while in the Netflix drama, he was killed in a car accident. Sure, both are tragic, but hopefully you'll agree that the former is far more horrific. And that, in turn, makes you look at Mel from a whole different angle...

As for Jack, he seems to be a completely different man in the novels, and a less sympathetic one at that. He is written as a sex maniac, obsessed with Mel's physique. Also, his dog-like lust for her is extremely repulsive. In the show, the character has much more substance and nuance.

A Fatal Difference

Ultimately, it comes down to Virgin River's central duo. The show's Mel and Jack are very different from their book counterparts. And remarkably, the screen versions are much more appealing, making it difficult to read the books if you're a fan of either character.

Generally speaking, this difference can be overlooked for the sake of appreciating the overall story. But it's a deciding factor for all the Mel-and-Jack fans out there.