I couldn’t believe how much I enjoyed the TV show (Stock Image) (Image: Getty)
I would much rather wile away the hours by reading a book than sitting in front of the TV watching something, but every now and then, something does capture my attention. If it’s been adapted from a book, however, what is the likelihood that it’s better than the source material? It’s slim, and has never happened before to me.
However, it has now. I found a copy of Margo’s Got Money Troubles on Vinted for a couple of quid, bundled it with another book, and as soon as they arrived, I got started with the Rufi Thorpe book that receives high praise, even from RuPaul.
I read it in a couple of days, and absolutely adored it. It started off a little iffy for me, and I rolled my eyes at the start. But then the plot twist came, and I was hooked. It was full of heart and community and was just perfect.
But then I watched the TV show, and it just built on that perfection. I couldn’t believe how much I was enjoying it, and wanted to binge-watch episode after episode.
The premise is this: Margo gets into a sexual relationship with her professor, and ends up having a baby with him, despite the fact that he advises her not to, as little does she know, but he already has two kids and a wife.
The rest of the book is Margo’s exploration of herself through the lens of her relationships with her mum and famous dad, roommate and close friend Susie, and all the other people who end up meaning something to her.
The book and TV show blend whip-smart humour with a sincere look at single motherhood, sex work, and family dynamics. Margo is constantly questioning whether her internet fame and the money she makes from it are actually worth it.
The TV adaptation was produced by Rufi Thorpe, and the book was kept almost identically. And where changes were made, they made sure they made the adaptation better than the book, which I did appreciate. The differences were subtle, but I did notice them – but no spoilers here.
But I love it when an adaptation stays true to the source material, and it really did, even directly quoting it at times, which made me feel warm and fuzzy inside!
I even cried several times, especially thanks to the performances of Elle Fanning, Margo, Michelle Pfeiffer, Shayanne, Margo’s mum, and Nick Offerman, Jinx, Margo’s dad. They were so powerful, and the emotional moments were conveyed even more powerfully in the TV show.
Her relationships were messy, complicated and so real. And it was refreshing to read about and watch a female character who wasn’t completely perfect, and actually made mistakes, and had flaws.
But it goes without saying the adaptation wouldn’t have been able to exist without Rufi Thorpe’s genius, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
It’s just really great to actually watch a TV show that felt better than the book, and true to the book at the same time.
I’m so happy to hear that a second season has been commissioned of the show, and I really hope it’s as good and continues Margo’s story in an interesting way, rather than dropping off totally.
This has made me more open to watching book-to-TV adaptations. That being said, which would you recommend?