Where to start withThirteen Reasons Why
2 versions · originally a book, 2017
Themes: Suicide, Bullying, Mental Health, Guilt, Teenage Angst.
Start with Thirteen Reasons Why (Jay Asher, 2017) — the book. Thirteen Reasons Why exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a book in 2017; each is ranked below by what it does best.
This haunting narrative explores the devastating ripple effects of a classmate's suicide through a series of intimate, posthumous cassette tapes.
✦ Most fans start here
Thirteen Reasons Why (2017)
The original novel
✦ Start hereThirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher · Book · 2017
The original Thirteen Reasons Why (2017) novel provides an intimate, internal look at Clay’s perspective, allowing readers to process the emotional weight of Hannah’s tapes at their own personal pace.
2017 series
13 Reasons Why
Brian Yorkey · Series · 2017
The 13 Reasons Why (2017) television series expands the scope of the story, transforming the solitary reading experience into a visual, ensemble-driven mystery that emphasizes the broader social consequences of Hannah's tragedy.
Common questions
Is Thirteen Reasons Why based on a book or a show?
Thirteen Reasons Why originated as a book published in 2017. Following the release of the novel, the story was adapted into a television series titled 13 Reasons Why, which premiered in 2017. Both versions explore the same narrative themes and core subject matter.
Should I read the book Thirteen Reasons Why before watching the show?
Reading the 2017 book Thirteen Reasons Why before watching the 2017 television series 13 Reasons Why is a matter of personal preference. Both versions provide the complete story, though the show expands on the original plot points and characters found in the source material.
What order should I consume Thirteen Reasons Why?
You can experience the story by reading the 2017 book Thirteen Reasons Why or by watching the 2017 television series 13 Reasons Why. Since the show is an adaptation of the novel, the order does not impact your ability to understand the narrative arc.
Is the 2017 show 13 Reasons Why a direct adaptation of the book?
The 2017 television series 13 Reasons Why is an adaptation of the 2017 book Thirteen Reasons Why. While the show follows the central premise established in the novel, it serves as a separate medium that translates the written story into a visual format.