The Mask

by Steve Perry

Stanley Ipkiss, a bank clerk, discovers a mysterious mask that gives its wearer amazing, if unpredictable, powers

240 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Steven Carl Perry has written over fifty novels and numerous short stories, which have appeared in various magazines and anthologies. Perry is perhaps best known for the Matador series. He has written books in the Star Wars, Alien and Conan universes. He was a collaborator on all of the Tom Clancy's Net Force series, seven of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller list. Two of his novelizations, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire and Men in Black have also been bestsellers. Other writing credits include articles, reviews, and essays, animated teleplays, and some unproduced movie scripts. One of his scripts for Batman: The Animated Series was an Emmy Award nominee for Outstanding Writing.

Perry is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, The Animation Guild, and the Writers Guild of America, West

Reviews

[David's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's only one word to describe this novel, Ssssmoking!

[Samuel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read parts of this one. Yes, parts. I saw the movie and it was better, probably because this may be a novelization one is tempted to read, but, of course, it disappoints.
"The Mask," a special-effects triumph of a film, features Jim Carrey as Stanley Ipkiss, a genuine loserino leading a genuine loserino life, working a genuine loserino job and living in a genuine loserino domicile, and in the midst of his acute misery and unsatisfactory performances in merely attempting to have fun, finds (in a scene more ripped off than inspired by "It's A Wonderful Life") a mysterious mask floating in a river he's just about to throw himself into, of which he's at first unsure of the origin. Curiously, he puts it on, and is transformed into a zippy, kinetic, demon of cartoonish antics with a personality like he's from an entire planet full of constant Mardi Gras celebrations. ("SomebodySTOPmehhhhhh!!!")
The visual effects (groundbreaking CGI at the time of the film's release) drive home this premise wonderfully, but the novel based on the movie doesn't impress, mainly because its descriptions of the scenes are sloppily executed, its backgrounds detailed as uninspired and one-dimensional, and the ways in which it tries to sustain the characters (Stanley himself most of all), lobotomized, trite, cloying, and like the other elements, hardly ever even amusing. Steve Perry attempted to entertain in adapting the movie, but this proves he's only giving us fake talent, when he could be more along the lines of a Terry Pratchett or even an Aldous Huxley in weaving speculative fiction.
At the time I took a look at it, I was about 16, and it didn't make me laugh—it hurt me. I ultimately had to throw the paperback away; I could have recycled it, but, well, sometimes there are even unfinished books I think will break the recycling plant machine. It didn't occur to me at that time to simply donate it, I guess I was so mad at being offended and let down by "The Mask" adaptation. This one only serves as an insult in its narrative to fans of the movie; let's just face what's true...you were much better off giving it your seven-and-three-quarters-bucks at the box office.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The issue with comedy films, is that I find they don’t translate very well to novelizations. The humour just doesn’t come across, which could be partly due to Jim Carrey’s manic ad-libbing, and the fact that this is a well loved film.

There are some extended/deleted scenes and dialogue included in this. It has an extended introduction, with just how the “Mask” came to be, which was cut down significantly from the film. While it’s interesting, you just really wanted the book to cut to the chase.

I think the descriptions of Stanley, Tina, Dorian etc are brilliant, as well as the author describing the little details that might be missed on screen.

I did find most of Dorian’s chapters quite boring however - until about three quarters of the way through. Unfortunately, Peter Greene’s weird attractiveness and charisma doesn’t translate well to the written word.

Ultimately, I’m giving this book a better score, because of my love of the film. I just don’t think there should have been a novelization, as I found it quite disappointing overall. I would still recommend this book, as a fairly decent novelization, and at 222 pages, it’s quite a lengthy one, compared to some that I have read. For me personally, humourous novelizations just don’t work, particularly when you have such a strong actor behind the main character. I’m just feeling on the fence with this - it has strong writing, but just falls short of being close/adding anything additional to the film.

[Juan Idiazabal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro es todo lo que promete. Una adaptación veraz de la película que tanto nos sorprendió y nos hizo reír en los '90. Personalmente, me encantó. De hecho me sorprendió la facilidad de lectura, aunque esto se puede deber a que ya conozco la película casi de memoria. A pesar de que me tomé mi tiempo y fui intercalándola con otros libros, definitivamente, La Máscara de Steve Perry es una adaptación que nos permite adentrarnos un poco más en la vida de Stanley Ipkiss a aquellos que hemos crecido viendo las interpretaciones de Jim Carrey en la pantalla grande.

[Somar Sheikdon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mask: He is not the kind of super hero that saves your ass when you are in trouble, nor is he a vigilante who hunts the bad guys and fixes the corrupted system. No, sir, he is not the dragon slayer. Rather than that, he himself is the bad guy (if he is in the mood) who robs your local bank and steals your girlfriend's heart with his witty seduction and dance moves. He is sssmoking.

[Dwaine Nethery · Rating 2 out of 5]

Watch the movie.

[Jenna D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Physical comedy (like much of Jim Carey’s early work) is much better left to the screen.

[TheGeeksAttic · Rating 2 out of 5]

A video review from Paper Movies Book Club:
The Mask Novelization Discussion
https://youtu.be/B3wcRI5iM_A

[ChaoticBookoholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book.