The Summer I Turned Pretty

 Dear readers and viewers,

           Flash! Bang! Three books and a tv series with some time in between! The book’s always better; is it a cliche for a reason? To begin, The Summer I Turned Pretty, written and directed by Jenny Han, brings the characters to life with such personalities, but maybe we should just stick with the book and not the tv show; at least not the end. To continue, In The Summer I Turned Pretty, there are two boys, Jeremiah and Conrad Fisher; also, their mother, Susannah “Beck” Fisher. Susannah was best friends with Laurel Park, mother of Belly “Isabel” Conklin and Steven Conklin. Although, Susannah was previously and is now currently sick with cancer and they don’t know that until the end of season one. 

Susannah passes away leaving the boys to cling to each other and their not so good father; although, Conrad and Jeremiah aren’t often on good terms because of their both consuming love for Belly and a recurrent love triangle. Consequently, Belly battles through love and a torn heart, frequently playing and toying with both boys' emotions unintentionally; finally finding closure, ending up with Conrad at the end of season 3. Although this tv show has a few upsides, there are definitely some things that need to be changed.

           The director of this tv show is Jenny Han, writer, and producer. This is a 3 book series The Summer I Turned Pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You, and last but not least We’ll Always Have The Summer. Moreover, Han produced several other things including her own writing work of Xo Kitty and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, a trilogy which have all been strongly valued by the community but there is no question that some serious work can be made on The Summer I Turned Pretty. Continuing on, I have no bias against Han; there is no doubt that she has created some exhilarating stories in her time. However, I simply think that it came out very differently when pen was put to paper versus script to camera with The Summer I Turned Pretty. In conclusion, whether the tv show has taken a turn for better or worse in season 3 on television is unclear, but in my opinion, the book was better and the tv show “jumped the shark”.

In The Summer I Turned Pretty there are three characters. Conrad Fisher is starting at 18 and ending at age 23, and his less mature brother Jeremiah Fisher starting at 16 ending at age 22. Both characters experience variegated changes including Jeremiah’s negative shift, most likely impacted by his mother’s death. Furthermore, using three words to describe Jeremiah through all three seasons I’d say, kind, then scared, and finally manipulative. Now if I was to do the same for Conrad I would say, unstable, (frequently being attributed to his first breakup with “Audrey” his first girlfriend; although, later we find out that it’s because of his knowing about his mom’s cancer), then in season 2 I’d say, vulnerable, and finally, grown (grown up.) To summarize, both characters experience growth in some direction through this trilogy.

One of the main problems with this tv show/book is Belly Conklin, the protagonist. Many people question whether she’s even likeable or made to be. Even some people believe that “Belly is literally the worst person/girlfriend/fiance to exist in the books,” (Reddit, 2024,) and I wholeheartedly agree with them. For instance, over and over again she is shown as an indecisive, frustrating and immature person, who can’t make up her mind about two guys. For example, in the tv show, in Season 2, Episode 8, Minute 45, after hearing Conrad take back his profession of love and say he was just screwing with her and Jeremiah’s relationship Belly reflects once again, “so I release you Conrad Fisher, I evict you from my heart”; although, she may say this now, but you know as well as I do how repetitive she is. To continue, one second she’s in love with him and the next she’s heart broken, and finally, to top it off her redundant vocabulary use makes her so boring and in the tiniest bit entertaining.Therefore, because of this quote you can see the constant aggravating nature of this character and need for dramaticism. In conclusion, Belly Conklin is the least likeable character in this trilogy and is a very big problem.

           There are two main themes in The Summer I Turned Pretty, growing up and love. To start off, one of the other themes in this book is love and relationships as constantly demonstrated by the relationship changes and growth while also maintaining some unhealthy habits or toxic connections with others. Additionally, the other main theme in this book and TV show is growing up as shown frequently by the debut ball, outfits, and her haircut change. Another example is the outfits and hair; for example, in season one she shows up in a t-shirt and jean shorts, with her hair in a pony tail a debatably more juvenile or younger outfit. However, by the end of the tv show, she's seen as wearing more formal clothes from nicer companies, living by herself in France, with a short Bob haircut. In conclusion, there are two main themes in this book, love and growth as a person.

           In conclusion, this tv show and book trilogy explores the themes of love and growth as a person but definitely has its rough spots and pot holes. Overall, I’d rate the book to be a 7 with enticing and imaginative qualities, but the tv show, a general 4. To continue, one of my least favorite parts of this tv show is when they show Belly and Conrad arguing at the funeral; it really shows the toxic dynamic and Belly’s maturity level and lack of it. Additionally, most viewers agree that this plot line is fantasy at best, for instance not many brotherly duos would choose breaking their relationship for a girl. If you’d like to curl up with a cozy book or this visual narrative I’d pick the book because it makes you less likely to email the director with tips. To conclude, Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah suffer from a dying mom and a love triangle, with changing personalities and unrealistic circumstances. 

Best regards,

Ainsley Farrell