I understand what you mean. I identified with the protagonist, too, when I first read the book. She’s a young woman who feels awkward and out of place and insecure. But, when she realizes everything is not as it seems - that might be one of the best story twists of all time. If I’d seen the movie first, though, I probably wouldn’t have read the book.
Indeed...I had seen the movie many times prior to reading the book...or attempting to.