eXistenZ

by John Luther Novak, David Cronenberg

This novelization of David Cronenberg's film by established British SF writer Christopher Priest (under the name John Luther Novak) involves confusion between levels of reality, as portrayed so vividly in novels by Philip K. Dick. "eXistenZ" is an all-senses computer game that seems more real than the real world and allows unwary players to enter deeper games nested within games, with the possibility of getting lost in the virtual maze. (Was exiting the game just part of the game? Did I only dream I woke up?) Violence at the first "eXistenZ" demonstration sends its beautiful designer and a security guard fleeing into a multilevel nightmare. Cronenberg's theme of disturbing biotechnologies crops up repeatedly. The game "hardware" is all too like a living organ that links to a new, artificial body orifice. There are recurring appearances of a repugnant handgun built from small animals' bones and sinews, whose bullets are human teeth. After briefly threatening to lose its way in surrealism and horror, the story develops an interesting bite and ends with clever revelations. Aficionados will have guessed before then what's really going on, but for movie SF eXistenZ is cheeringly sophisticated. Not for the squeamish, though. --David Langford, Amazon.co.uk

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Film

Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Grady Hendrix · Rating 1 out of 5]

I like Christopher Priest, and I like eXistenZ but somehow they combine to create a novelization that takes us into a magical world of boredom. Since the point of the movie was to play with the virtual reality space created by a movie, a novelization sort of defeats the purpose. Still, they include photos of the actors that you can cut out and put on popsicle sticks and use to restage the movie in the privacy of your own bedroom.

[Ricky · Rating 3 out of 5]

my parent's gave me this book for my birthday. I haven't seen the movie its based on but for the most part its a pretty good read. the story pulled me in and it was an easy to get through. the ending i thought was kinda "meh" but considering i didn't know much about what i was getting into...i'd say its worth reading.

[Jonathan Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this after I watched the movie. I remember being really bleak that I couldn't find any more Christopher Priest books after this.

[Ettore.bilbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oddio, credo che questo libro sia nato dopo il film romanzando la sceneggiatura. Si sente, però la storia è fenomenale, targata Cronenberg fino in fondo.
Consigliato solo alle menti malate!

[Gregor Xane · Rating 2 out of 5]

The movie was better. Christopher Priest was obviously on auto-pilot. But this is not to say it wasn't an enjoyable read.

[Pacyfa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite a good novelisation of the movie...
I saw a movie a long time ago, maybe around 3 yrs ago and I did like it, so it might have helped.

[Nic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read it if curiosity, and on the basis that I enjoy Christopher's Priest's work a lot.

Probably the most positive thing I can say is that it did make me want to watch the movie again.