The Fabulous Beekman Boys premieres on Planet Green (a part of the Discovery Channel family) on June 16. It is the story of Josh and Brent, two boys from Manhattan who are trying to grow a life and a business in New York state.
I previewed two episodes of the show, and read the book about the first year on the farm, The Bucolic Plague (click over for my review and for a giveaway). I didn’t only read the book, I loved the book.
And as is almost always the case if you fall in love with “characters” in a book, and then see them portrayed on screen, you are going to say “the book is better.” And yes, in this case, the book is better.
If you become fans of The Fabulous Beekman Boys, you must read the book. Even if you don’t care for the show, if the idea of reaching for your dreams appeals to you, read the book.
Brent actually worked for Martha Stewart, and except for the fact that it’s pretty funny (although not as funny as the book — do you see a theme?), it’s very Martha Stewart-ish. They are hosting a harvest festival, complete with costumes, making their own artisanal cheese, and having large dinner parties using the bounty of their heirloom garden.
So here’s what I want you to do. I want you to read The Bucolic Plague and fall in love with these guys and their vision of escaping the hectic life of two New York City professionals, and then tune in to Planet Green to watch The Fabulous Beekman Boys so that you don’t go into withdrawal wondering what is happening at the Beekman mansion.
Jennifer Donovan knows that reality TV isn’t really real, but she enjoys watching it anyway. She blogs at Snapshot (and maybe it’s not so real either).