Constantine

by John Shirley

Hidden from mortal eyes are the angels and demons that coexist with mankind...supernatural beings who seek to influence our lives for better and for worse. Amoral and irreverent renegade occultist and paranormal detective John Constantine is blessed and cursed with the ability to interact with this secret world. When Constantine teams up with skeptical L.A. policewoman Angela Dodson to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister, their investigation catapults them into a catastrophic series of otherworldly events -- even as the forces of Hell conspire against Constantine to claim his immortal soul....

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Supernatural, Graphic Novels

Unknown Binding

First published January 25, 2005

About the author

John Shirley won the Bram Stoker Award for his story collection Black Butterflies, and is the author of numerous novels, including the best-seller DEMONS, the cyberpunk classics CITY COME A-WALKIN', ECLIPSE, and BLACK GLASS, and his newest novels STORMLAND and A SORCERER OF ATLANTIS.

He is also a screenwriter, having written for television and movies; he was co-screenwriter of THE CROW. He has been several Year's Best anthologies including Prime Books' THE YEAR'S BEST DARK FANTASY AND HORROR anthology, and his nwest story collection is IN EXTREMIS: THE MOST EXTREME SHORT STORIES OF JOHN SHIRLEY. His novel BIOSHOCK: RAPTURE telling the story of the creation and undoing of Rapture, from the hit videogame BIOSHOCK is out from TOR books; his Halo novel, HALO: BROKEN CIRCLE is coming out from Pocket Books.

His most recent novels are STORMLAND and (forthcoming) AXLE BUST CREEK. His new story collection is THE FEVERISH STARS. STORMLAND and other John Shirley novels are available as audiobooks.

He is also a lyricist, having written lyrics for 18 songs recorded by the Blue Oyster Cult (especially on their albums Heaven Forbidden and Curse of the Hidden Mirror), and his own recordings.

John Shirley has written only one nonfiction book, GURDJIEFF: AN INTRODUCTION TO HIS LIFE AND IDEAS, published by Penguin/Jeremy Tarcher.

John Shirley story collections include BLACK BUTTERFLIES, IN EXTREMIS, REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY WEIRD STORIES, and LIVING SHADOWS.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[LittleFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

"اسم من کنستانتینه. جان کنستانتین، عوضی..."

ماجرای کتاب درست مثل فیلمیه که سال 2005 از شخصیت کنستانتین با بازی کیانو ریوز ساخته شده... البته چندین بخش اضافه‌تر هم داشت که به فهم و جذابیت بیشتر داستان خیلی کمک می‌کرد.
خوندنش برای من که عاشق این کاراکترم حس خوبی داشت اما با توجه به اینکه فیلم خط داستانی کتاب رو دنبال می‌کنه، اگر اول کتاب رو بخونید و بعد فیلم رو ببینید لذت بیشتری‌ می‌برید.
(من نسخه ترجمه رو از نشر باژ خوندم که واقعا روون و خوب بود. توی یه نشست تمومش کردم.)

[Joe Noir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable movie novelization. I knew Constantine existed in the Hellblazer comics from DC/Vertigo, but I had never read any and was unaware of the character. This movie and this book were my introduction. I loved this movie, and I really loved this book. There is quite a bit of heft compared to the average novlization, and many scenes are fleshed out in great detail. A lot of fun.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

80% of the book was a solid three stars and then I got bored. But the end was pretty cool. It had these weird things throughout the text that bugged me though. Useless sentences. Like this one: "He wasn't surprised when Angela came up the fire escape: He'd asked her to meet him there." Why do I need to know this? Those things only happened a few times but they always threw me out of the story.

I've never seen the movie so I don't know how closely it follows, but this may be the very first time I've read a book based on a movie! It's a novel idea. (I didn't mean the pun)

[Yin Chien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright, I admit it: I bought this book because I loved the movie. Unsurprisingly, it didn't let me down. I totally enjoyed reading it. Constantine is portrayed as the same cynical, irreverent supernatural detective who is dying of lung cancer caused by too much smoking. He knows he is damned to hell for his past attempt of committing suicide and tries his best to win back God's grace. This book pretty much follows everything that's shown in the movie, although there were some minor differences. Constantine is a mix between paranormal and action, and reading it is really an exhilarating adventure - you wouldn't want to miss it!

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only wish it was longer! I absolutely loved the novelization. No real problems until the end there and it helps if you've seen the movie obviously because the directional cues and scene cues are more than a little lax there at the end. If I had one criticism it would be that there was more time explanation about Mammon's motivations since he was doing all this without Satan's permission. And I would have liked more of a conversation between Satan and Constantine. Other than that I completely loved it and I'll be reading more books/short stories from John Shirley.

[Christen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in junior high after a minor-obsession with the film.
Really great book, far more in-depth from the film. It's generally a very dark book but definitely enjoyable.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, action-packed, supernatural, adventure story.

[Kinsey Breland .: avid_midnight_reader :. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author introduced so many different characters at the start of this book, it was hard to understand how all of them were going to connect with each other. It was cool seeing how the author played with all these people’s lives throughout the span of this book.

I loved this idea of Satan having a son, and as he was laying the groundwork to claw his way out of Hell, chaos was ensuing. It was like all the demons that were already roaming around the Earth sensed he was on his way to the surface.

3.5 stars

[Jack Keane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book many years ago, not long after I had seen the movie (which I liked a lot at the time, but only because I was about 11 or 12, and liked many things that I've since found to be...well, less than good).
It was cheap. The pages smelt nice. It fit nicely inside my coat pocket, should I have ever chosen to take it out on the go. (Appropriate, seeing as it IS a Pocket Book, after all.)
But was it any good?
As I recall, it was a pretty solid read. It was certainly one of the more well-written movie novelisations that I've ever read.
Even better, the novelisation vastly improves upon the film, filling in back stories, plot details and explanations for some of the supernatural elements that the film had seemingly forgotten to do. (e.g. The scene where Pruitt Taylor Vince was attacked? In the film, that whole bit seemed a bit murky, details wise. In the book, I believe that it changes the circumstances of the attack slightly, thereby making it more clear what happened.)
The plot in general is still absolute bobbins, and no amount of screen-to-page improvement upon the film can change that.
I've heard time and time again that the original "Hellblazer" comics that "Constantine" is based on are much much better than the film, and I don't doubt it.
But out of all the things that came out of the film adaptation, this novelisation is probably the best of them all...

[Abhinav · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found some reviewers complaining that the novelization of the movie Constantine dimmed the cool quotient of the movie. Well. I didn't think so. There is obviously more delving into Constantine's motivations than in the movie, but I didn't think it detracted from his oh-so-Keanu-Reeves unflappability.

The book stays absolutely faithful to dialogues in the movie, and where new backstory is added, it's done so seamlessly. I'm not sure whether this book would appeal to those who haven't watched the movie - because well I can't unremember the movie - but those who have will love it. A great movie adaption!

[Ashley P. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really glad I read this before watching the movie because I got to get to know and understand Constantine a lot better than I would have from a 2 hour movie. There was some stuff that was mentioned that wasn't in the movie at all, and quite a bit of stuff that was expanded on that was only skipped over in the movie.
Overall I'd say this is a really great read and a good one to pick up even if you've seen the big screen version.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very happy I read this book even though I did see the movie first. yes I know no matter what the book is always better than the movie but I enjoyed them almost equally yes the book had alot more details on characters and what exactly was going on the whole way through but they were both good. This was a book I have read several times and I've watched the movie plenty of times so both are amazing and enjoyable.

[Joey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this novel at my library book-for-sale section. It caught my eye because I remembered about a DC Comics featuring John Constantine who battles demons and other supernatural forces. For a measly 50 cents it was a great purchase since I could hardly put it down until the last chapters where the plot just unraveled for me. All in all, a great read where the author created a fantastic world of angels, demons and John Constantine.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of disappointing. Lacks the cool factor that the movie has. Some of the dialogue in the book doesn't fit the character and I can see why that was cut.

Interesting to see some of the scenes that were cut from the movie. In one, Constantine has a sexual relationship with a demon who later turns on him.

Overall, not a bad book, but unfortunate it's not better written.

[Kristine]

Though this novel is based on the film, it's actually very good and even better than the film. The novel contains more, especially when it comes to the opening scene of the film versus the book. The book is filled with wonderful and very detailed descriptions that make the scenes come to life within even the most non-imaginative people. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading.

[Namtarn Chawanrat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought the book cus I love the movie, and I hope that there would be something different. Ok, i have a solf spot for a novelized screenplay, and I find that I like this one. First few pages really hooked me. I drowned into the story. There're more details and ocassions in which it isn't on the show. Though it is still sticking with 'kill-the-villans' things, how patetic, I like it.

[Vic · Rating 3 out of 5]

What would you do if supernatural demonic forces are out to get you? That's the life of John Constantine, our chain smoking cancer lung cancer stricken hero who's duty is to send demons back to inferno. It was a fascinating read but the plot weakened in the last third of the novel. Thus the three stars.

[Laura Morrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much a movie-tie-in teaser for the original graphic novel series. Graphic novelisation of the movie and three stories from the original comics, all from different eras, two of which are unfinished. The introduction is really interesting, but the unfinished nature of the book is frustrating. Trying to get the proper series collection volume 1 at the moment.

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I liked the few twists that were different from the movie, but I don't think it would have been as easy to follow if you didn't see the movie first. A nice read though, complimented the movie well.

[Aaron Sta.Clara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't seen the movie yet but this book is good. Not superior and not inferior yet I hate the way the author portrayed God in this novel. He made Him such a badass in this book. Yes, it's a cameo role but I realy hate it, truly hate it.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Followed the movie scene by scene with slight differences here and there. An easy read.

[Jevron McCrory · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a lot of ways, actually better than the movie! I really enjoyed this book and went to considerable lengths to actually try and track it down, so it was a very pleasant surprise. Read!

[Melanie Begay · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ BEFORE WATCHING THE ACTUAL MOVIE!!!!....wait...i take that back i read the book after i watched it. :)

[Fachrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the novelization of the film, this book does a very good job. It gives more story to the minor characters, such as Fransisco. The book also provides more explanations for the story.

[Elise Shedd]

This was a book version of a movie that really delves into the spirit world and those who can see demons and angels.I read this after enjoying the movie so much.

[Shannon]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/12564785

[B.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad for a movie adaptation. I only watched bits of the movie, but this seemed to remain true to it.

[John Mic · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really want to read this book badly

[Sana Zameer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the movie and I really enjoyed this book.

[Victor Orozco · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I heard about this, I only knew what I saw in the trailer. Keanu Reeves is playing a powerful mage in LA. It was only later that I found out it was an adaptation of a popular DC Vertigo comic book character. My ignorance was profound as I learned that a great character was passed over for a Hollywood movie that was more reliant on Reeves's star power so prevalent after the Matrix Trilogy had fizzled out.

2005 Los Angeles. John Constantine is a man blessed/cursed with a consciousness of the supernatural and uses his abilities to stop the dark and twisted. Though a simple but fantastic adventure is only the beginning of a terrible prophecy that has Constantine working alongside a cop with a connection to the supernatural via her sister. The forces of death and destruction work against Constantine and not just those as he toils to find out the truth.

I enjoyed the movie and this book. The saying that ignorance is bliss was never so true when I watched the movie, but I do appreciate the fans of the original comic and accept this as an alternate universe where Constantine isn't an irascible Englishman in a tan trenchcoat but an irascible American in a black coat. There are some references to the original comic book but I presume they'd just Americanize the adventure for Keanu. The writing of this novel seems to be adapted from the penultimate script with certain missing scenes found on the DVD/Blu-ray. But it's the thoughts and feelings that you come for in a reading and it was fine. A decent page-turner.