I read this book a few years ago, but am just getting around to watching the tv show. Here are some of the differences noticed.
book versus tv show
- Harry is from Derry, not Holden.
- Jake's car is red, not yellowish.
- The show ommitted that whole business of saving the girl from the hunting accident.
- Jake's ex wife was only talked about.
- Jake had to pay the Yellow Card Man and say the little rhyme, not in the show.
- Jake doesn't go to Dallas straight away, he tries to help Harry first.
- Jake doesn't meet Sadie in Dallas. (Was Sadie still married in the book? I thought she was divorced/separated)
- He doesn't start following de Mohrenschildt until well into the book.
- Jake is 6'4'', Sadie is 6'. He makes a point of it like every ten pages. Not hugely vital to the plot, but the two characters mention it a lot.
- At first, Al gives him a good amount of money, so he doesn't have to make bets right off the bat. Even when he does, he doesn't arouse suspicion until later.
- Jake always lives alone, there's no lodging house.
- He never sees JFK directly, so none of that speech/getting caught thing happened.
- George (the guy he's following in the show) was never revealed to be working with the CIA.
- Jake's ex-wife never appears in the book, the divorce is on his mind though. She was an alcoholic as well, not sure if the wife on the show is.
- Al's 'Wall of Fame' was used as a reference point for the Harry situation, which is absent now.
- The school administrator isn't in the book (and as a result, neither is her past self). Jake accompanies Harry to his graduation, but there's nothing about writing a letter of recommendation.
- He doesn't trick anyone with his cell phone - it's thrown into a lake, but on a previous visit which he erases when he goes on his 'main mission.'
- He never tried to call his father (why would he?)
- Fire never happened
- The first quarter of the book takes place in Main
- He goes to Kennebec fruit stand and notices that it actually sells fruit! and has a delicious root beer. Here he goes to a diner.
- He get beat up from bookies but not till later, and the guys were from Florida.
- I always pictured the clearing for the rabbit hole to be a bit more vacant rather than a very active spot.
- The VIP party for Kennedy never happened