Dark City

by Frank Lauria, Lem Dobbs, David S. Goyer

The police track down murder suspect John Murdock, unaware that he holds the key to the mysterious forces that have taken control of the city

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Addy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to movie novelizations, Frank Lauria can be called a veteran. He adapted the 60s film nastie ALICE, SWEET ALICE. That novel's cover immediately grabbed my attention at a cheap thrift store (in a country you wouldn't expect to find such a thing). Titled "Communion" the paperback shows a young girl in her white communion dress. A devilish smile plastered on her face, she stands against a pitch-black velvety background. A bloody dagger in her hand. The following words appear under her feet: "Pray for Her". Not surprisingly, my catholic upbringing and stock teenager rebellion made me an instant a fan of Frank Lauria!

I would later discover how good Lauria is with words. He can describe the most ridiculously profane scene with an easy lyricism. Possessing such literary powers, Lauria faithfully and subtly expands the DARK CITY screenplay into an immersive pulpy read. Extra fun if you love the movie. The right man for the right job.

[Marsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of the movie—an Earth that wasn’t Earth, manufactured by aliens simply to study human beings—made it a startling innovation in its 1998 release. Unfortunately, the writing in the novel does not quite live up to its cinematic origin. The writer relies a little too heavily on italics and exclamation marks to convey excitement rather than emotive detail; the language cleaves too solidly to the movie dialogue.

Novels are not films and vice versa. Each has something to offer that the other does not. This novel could have fleshed out the movie storyline without detracting from its source material. But the author either didn’t or wouldn’t make that literary leap. Thus, the novel is a merely competent written rendering of the Dark City movie but nothing more.

[Cliff Wichmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you see the movie you might just avoid the book.

Its almost word for word the movie. I say almost as I really didn't have the patience to cross reference the entire movie against the book.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this selection for my book club (Movie Book Club) and then watched the movie with the club. The the book club selection was actually the second time I'd watched the movie and watching the movie bookended the reading of the book. As such, I can compare and contrast watching the movie without having read the book vs watching the movie having read the book and I will say this: The movie made more sense and I got more out of it having read the book first.

[Jemiah Jefferson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very plain language seems as astonished by the strange goings-on of the plot as a viewer might be - and thus, this novelization is a complete success. Definitely makes me want to watch the movie again, and it's been way too long for a major favorite like Dark City. "It's all a BIG JOKE!"

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid writing. I read it after watching the movie and this was like watching it a second time, but with a little more insight into each action.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully structured story that completely immerses you in its hodgepodge neo-noir world. My only problem with the movie was its somewhat actioned-up ending, whereas earlier drafts of the film were a bit more open-ended. That notwithstanding, an excellent accompaniment to an excellent film.

[Jonathan Davison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank lives in a world of darkness. Strange creatures
try to finish the experiment but he wakes up.
He finds the world around him changes constantly
whilst others sleep. People change too. Only four people
can stop the strangers from capturing Frank and destroy
the experiment.

[Faith Quick · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating premise and unforgettable concept.

[Dusty The2ofHarts-com · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is OK. Saw the movie first but twhen I saw the book at the thrift store for a few cents ~ :-)

[Jamie Bigham · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my fave Sci-Fi Fantasy films. Finally read the book in 2013. It lived up to all my hopes and expectations.

[Igy The Book Hermit · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books. A masterpiece.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Movie is great as well