The Outcast

I thought the part with Lewis as a young boy was well done, but after that I lost interest a bit, especially as the actor who played the older Lewis didn't really look anything like the younger one and was just sullen.

I thought the self-harming didn't seem to fit the era, but it must have happened, I supposed.

Why do the presenters now tell us that the programme contains scenes some viewers may find 'upsetting'? Didn't it used to be 'disturbing'?

I did read the book a while back when everyone was raving about it, I didn't particularly enjoy it and realised I had forgotten much of the story. I watched it last night, unremittingly sad, hated the self harming which I thought was a pretty recent phenomenon and more related to girls rather than boys, although of course everything about this young man's life was unusual and unfortunate.

I enjoyed it and thought it was well done, if somewhat depressing.
Towards the end I found myself getting impatient with Lewis and wished he would "pull himself together". I won't be able to resist watching the second part next week though.

Yes very painful when but so well done. The graphic detail reinforces the emotional place the young boy found himself as to a lesser extent the young girl. It explains precisely the boys future actions.

Undoubtedly children and young people today are still experiencing similar trauma and explains the actions taken by these young people.

Unremitting gloom unleavened by any light and shade in plot or characterisation. It's often a mistake to let novelists adapt their books for film or television, as they can't see the wood for the trees they have planted.

Nothing wrong with the acting, given the one-dimensional stereotypes the performers were asked to portray.

If I'd known there would be graphic depiction of the drowning and self-harming, I wouldn't have started watching it, but now I'm hooked and can't wait to see the other half next Sunday.

Me too Leticia. I never give up on books but when I read that one I just thought it was too miserable and l didn't have to finish it. Hence didn't bother to watch it on TV

I gave up on the book so I didn't bother watching.

Thought this utterly superb. The young boy was astonishing and totally convincing. The way the adults were constrained by the social norms and contributing to the emotional isolation to their children, was painfully played out. Kit, as a young teeager showed this isolation with no narrative but stark loneliness when she was struggling with the start of mensuration.
I haven't read the book but it will be my next read.

Dreary. Wasn't impressed with the acting and characterisation either.

I found it too slow and sad. Got depressed and bored so wandered off and made a batch of mixed fruit jam (need space in the freezer for this year's fruit). I still managed to keep up with the plot enough to see if there's a happy ending next week. Which I doubt there will be.

It was very sad

A bit dark.

Not exactly a barrel of laughs was it?