Alien
Alien
Book Brief
Beta270
Novel • Fiction
Space • Future
1979
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Alan Dean Foster's novelization, Alien, follows a space crew as they encounter an extraterrestrial lifeform that poses a lethal threat. The story explores themes of survival, science fiction, and horror within the confines of their spaceship, the Nostromo. The narrative dives into the individuals' struggles against a mysterious and deadly force.
Reviews & Readership
22,668 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Alien by Alan Dean Foster is largely praised for its faithful adaptation of the iconic film, capturing the intense suspense and horror. Critics appreciate Foster's ability to expand on the movie's atmosphere while maintaining the gripping narrative. However, some readers find the prose somewhat simplistic and feel it lacks the depth expected from the genre.
Who Should Read Alien?
A reader who would enjoy Alien by Alan Dean Foster is likely a fan of gripping science fiction and horror narratives, much like those found in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein or Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. This reader appreciates intense atmosphere, suspenseful plot twists, and richly-imagined extraterrestrial settings.
22,668 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Alien by Alan Dean Foster is a novelization of the 1979 film directed by Ridley Scott but was published in the same year, enhancing the movie's terrifying universe with more detailed character backstories and internal monologues.
Alan Dean Foster is renowned for his ability to translate films into novels, and his adaptation of Alien is one of his many successful works in the science fiction genre, cementing his reputation for creating evocative and detailed science fiction worlds.
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The novel was written under a tight deadline to coincide with the movie's release, showcasing Foster's ability to craft a compelling story quickly without sacrificing depth or excitement.
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270
Novel • Fiction
Space • Future
1979
Adult
18+ years
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