I must admit, I watched the series first and had barely found out it was from a book so I recently read it. I felt the beginning followed the show a lot. Coincidentally both the show and the book made me hate the girl and kinda like the guy (how effed up is that?). I will say, in the book towards the end he was slightly more annoying, but that can be attributed to his obsession. He over-rationalized things to fit his mindset, but don't we all?