Twin Peaks: Laura Palmer's Secret Diary - A Forerunner of the Prequel Film
Jennifer Lynch, daughter of David Lynch, wrote a gripping companion book, The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer, before the prequel film was ever released. Published in 1990, between the first and second seasons of the original series, the book explores Laura's life prior to Twin Peaks, so giving the legendary character complexity and depth.
Laura Palmer's Diary: Exposing the Secrets
Laura Palmer's death forms Twin Peaks' central mystery. Found by Dale Cooper, her diary turns into a crucial source of information full of cryptic hints suggesting a sinister underbeneering under Twin Peaks' surface. Although Jennifer Lynch's book introduces a second diary that becomes central to the story of season two, the show only features one diary. Donna Hayward finds this second diary in the house of Laura's confiderer Harold Smith.
Canon's Secret Diary as Canon
The book's passages, which confirm its canon status in Twin Peaks, are quoted throughout season two. Laura's duality is shown in the two diaries: the apparently ideal teenager and the girl battling secret challenges. Laura's character gains even more mystery and complexity from this duality, so transforming her from a victim into something more.
Jennifer Lynch's Forerunner of Fire Walk With Me
Offering insight into Laura's life prior to the events of the prequel film, Laura Palmer's Secret Diary prepares readers for Fire Walk With Me. Published during the height of the show's appeal, the book gave readers a window into Laura's inner world, so piquing their interest about the unresolved murder mystery.
Laura's Unspoken Battles
Laura's personal challenges—including cocaine addiction and the effects it has on her life—are clarified in the diary. It also exposes the depths of her trauma and the manipulative tools taken advantage of her. Reflecting Laura's maturation and the growing gloom around her, the writing style moves from hopeful to despairing.
Writing by Jennifer Lynch: Reflecting Laura Palmer
Working closely with David Lynch and Mark Frost, Jennifer Lynch faithfully caught Laura's voice, exploring the character's psyche and exposing the suffering she went through. Subtle foreshadowing in the book's writing adds to the sad story and emphasizes the sneaky character of the forces at work in Twin Peaks.
Twin Peaks: Hypocrenia and Darkness
Laura Palmer's Secret Diary reveals the darkness and hypocrisy hiding under Twin Peaks' apparently perfect front. It shows how apparently likeable characters helped Laura fall from grace, so emphasizing the town's shared responsibility in her sad death. Pushing limits and questioning viewers' expectations, the book emphasizes the show's convoluted and disturbing character.
Influence and Legacy of The Secret Diary
One evidence of Twin Peaks' depth and complexity is Laura Palmer's Secret Diary. Acting as a fascinating companion piece, it enhances the story and offers insightful analysis of Laura's character. The way the book affects the mythology of the show emphasizes the value of Jennifer Lynch's creations and her contribution to the Twin Peaks universe.
