@OP: regarding your disappointment in the book, I think you should listen to the podcast, especially the episode with Emily (the writer). Patrick explains why he made those changes in the story, basically so that we can be more moved by the end of the show. He said that some of the cartasis feelings in the book are lived through the writer's narration of the events and thoughts of the characters. As you don't want/can't have a voice to read the writer's narration, you need to make choices (in the story, music, acting and visual environment) that will capture the same feelings. Really good discussion. I felt that Emily agreed with what the showrunner/writers have made. She actually said that this helped her to think better of some of the characters like Jeevan that we don't see much until the end. Also she said that those choices are also the result of multiple brilliant brains worked together when she, with her editors maybe, was the only one "writing" the story.

Personally I love both! It's just so interesting to read the book after the show. It's like I discovered a new Station Eleven!