Comingsoon.net is determined to parse through the dense forest that is Twin Peaks. Check out our favorite books on the series in the gallery below!
In April of 1990, David Lynch and Mark Frost hanged television history with their ABC mystery-drama Twin Peaks. Up until this time, television and film were mutually exclusive—notable filmmakers didn’t make TV, and showrunners didn’t make notable films. Once David Lynch—whose films like Eraserhead and Blue Velvet had already made quite an impact on moviegoers across the world—made a deal with ABC to bring some of his genius to the small screen, the medium changed forever.
Naturally, given Lynch’s unique approach to storytelling, the show can be a lot to unpack at times. This is especially true of the show’s prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me from 1992 and the show’s 18-part revival on Showtime from 2017. Luckily, a handful of authors have taken it upon themselves to dissect, analyze, and elaborate on all aspects of the show—from its soundtrack to its previously-unseen history and even the events that follow Part 18’s immensely satisfying conclusion.
TP books
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Angelo Badalamenti's Soundtrack from Twin Peaks by Clare Nina Norelli (2017)
David Lynch and Mark Frost are obviously the first and second-most important components of Twin Peaks, but there’s a third mind that deserves plenty of credit for shaping and structuring the show’s tone: Angelo Badalamenti. A frequent Lynch collaborator, the book Angelo Badalamenti’s Soundtrack from Twin Peaks by Clare Nina Norelli helps to break down some of the composer’s very bet musical cues across the show and the feature film.Â
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Reflections: The Oral History of Twin Peaks by Brad Dukes (2014)
Unlike the other books listed here, Reflections: The Oral History of Twin Peaks by Brad Dukes provides the thoughts and feelings of cast and crew members directly from the source. An incredibly considerate assemblage of interviews, Reflections gives an exclusive look at what it was actually like to be a part of what many consider to be the single greatest television series ever, from the very start to the question mark of an ending.
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The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer by Jennifer Lynch (1990)
Written by Lynch’s daughter (err... written by Laura Palmer), The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer is the only text that’s actually referenced on the show and in the film. Considered sacred, this diary belongs to the show’s most important character: Laura herself. It helps to deepen an already complex character’s backstory, allowing for an even richer viewing experience for all who read it.
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The Secret History of Twin Peaks by Mark Frost (2016) and The Final Dossier by Mark Frost (2017)
Co-writer Mark Frost would never be this direct, but it’s abundantly clear that his word comes second to David Lynch’s. Countless times his scripts or ideas have been subbed for last-minute additions by Lynch (always for the best, given the show’s singular nature). Still, it’s obvious that Frost feels these ideas were still worth developing—The Secret History of Twin Peaks and The Final Dossier are effectively the co-writer’s bookends to the series. While some may prefer Lynch’s ambiguous and perplexing storytelling, these books exist for those who demand more answers than the show provides.
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The Essential Wrapped in Plastic: Pathways to Twin Peaks by John Thorne (2016)
Part compilation of the long-running fan magazine Wrapped in Plastic, part episode-by-episode viewing guide for the original series, and part essay collection, The Essential Wrapped in Plastic: Pathways to Twin Peaks by John Thorne is a worthwhile addition to any Twin Peaks fanatic’s library. (Although, to be honest, it’s likely that most already own and pore over this thing on the regular.)
