E.B.E.

The X-Files: Middle Grade #9

by Les Martin

We are not alone. Special agent Fox Mulder is convinced, especially after hearing rumors that a UFO shot down over Iraq has mysteriously disappeared. Was an E.B.E.'an extraterrestrial biological entity'on board? Has it been spirited away by hostile government forces? Mulder is willing to stake his life on it'and he may have to!

Genres: Science Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Supernatural, Fiction, Adventure, Thriller Suspense

100 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 1996

About the author

Les Martin has written dozens of books for young readers, including the RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM movie storybooks, and many Young Indiana Jones middle-grade novels. He has also adapted many classic works of fiction for young readers, including THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS, EDGAR ALLAN POE'S TALES OF TERROR, and THE VAMPIRE. Mr. Martin is a resident of New York City.

Reviews

[Stephen the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Special Agents Mulder and Scully investigate the possible smuggling of a downed UFO and its alien occupant across America, they find themselves being spied on and Mulder faces doubt over the motives of Deep Throat, his secret government informant. The episode on which this book is based is one of the show’s early mythology episodes, most notably for its exploration into the enigmatic Deep Throat character; one of Mulder’s closest shots yet at obtaining undeniable evidence of the ever-elusive Truth; and the introduction of Frohike, Langly, and Byers—better known as the Lone Gunmen.

The story itself is a good one with excellent characters, and it serves as a channel for conspiracy theorists and their paranoid mistrust of authority. There's no denying that the U.S. government has been complicit in very questionable behavior, more than enough to cast suspicion and even doubt on the part of the general populace. Secrets beget violence, as E.B.E. illustrates, emphasizing the ever-growing peril to Mulder and Scully as they inch closer to uncovering the government's shadowy plot to conceal the existence of alien life, and the inherent isolation of their willingness to put themselves in harm's way. There's a certain romanticism associated with devoting one's self to conspiracy theories, one that casts Mulder and Scully in the role of heroic crusaders bent on casting light into the unfathomable void. The story also becomes a surprising exploration of guilt with Deep Throat's confession to committing heinous crimes in conjunction with his lofty government position, and his hopes of atoning for his misdeeds by assisting Mulder in his passionate quest for the Truth.

The book is not without its shortcomings, though. Having watched the episode at least a dozen times, I’m well-versed in all of the character nuances and dialogue. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of added dialogue in the book that doesn’t exactly reflect Mulder and Scully’s well-established characters. The scene in which Mulder and Scully meet with the Lone Gunmen is quite different from the broadcast episode. It’s difficult to say if these discrepancies are the product of the author taking certain liberties with the story, or if it’s because the novella is derived from an early draft of the episode’s script. What’s more, Deep Throat never wore a hat in the show, and the idea of him wearing one here seems almost hokey and out of character.

[Suidpunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ek dink die Nederlandse vertaling gee die hele boek 'n ander smaak, moontlik omrede die Nederlanders nie skaam is om idiome te gebruik nie. Miskien omdat mens nie meer Nederlands so ver van Afrikaans beskou nie. En dit is eintlik verbasend hoe vinnig en vlot mens alles deurlees in een aand.

Van die vertalings vind ek baie nuttig, soos "You should leave no stone untouched/unturned" word "Je moet geen middel onbeproefd laten." In formele hoedanigheid kan dit goed te pas kom.

En "The truth is out there" word "De waarheid ligt daarginds". Die Duitse weergawe is nader hoe mens in Afrikaans dit sou stel: "Die waarheid is iewers daarbuite" (Die Wahrheit ist irgendwo da draußen).

Een uitdrukking wat my laat lag het, maar tog so pragtig gestel word: "Hartstikke bedankt!"

[Dorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mulder & Scully cross the country looking for the EBE -Extraterrestrial Biological Entity -it could prove we are not here alone....

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting quick read that keeps you guessing.

[Malcolm Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

A direct novelisation of the TV episode of the same name, this competently chronicles the events in an easy-to-read format. Fun to read.

[Gloo The third · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story!

[Maria Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delizioso.
Forse uno dei migliori

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice quick read which follows the TV series faithfully.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

The X-Files akan selalu identik dengan UFO dan alien, no body can deny it. Saya sendiri sebagai penggemar X-Files merasa wajib untuk membaca buku ini yang berjudul E.B.E (Extra-terrestrial Biological Entity).

Namun jujur saja, buku ini malah terasa hambar untuk dinikmati. Apalagi di akhir cerita, sungguh mengecewakan sekali bahwa Fox Mulder harus mendapati kenyataan bahwa alien yang dicarinya dengan segenap jiwa, ternyata telah mati dan disingkirkan, entah ke mana. Saya tidak mengharapkan terlalu muluk, seperti Mulder bisa berbincang-bincang sejenak dengan alien yang sekarat, mendiskusikan masa depan Bumi. Tetapi paling tidak, saya mengharapkan ending yang jauh lebih menarik daripada kekecewaan kosong seperti di akhir novel ini.

Sekilas seperti: beli 3 DVD untuk dihabiskan di malam minggu. Yang pertama tidak bisa ditonton. Yang kedua macet di tengah-tengah. Yang ketiga bisa ditonton tetapi filmnya mengecewakan.

[Mike Jozic · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a decent adaptation of the episode of the same name but tarnished somewhat by the reading of Kerry Shale. Like some of the other X-Files audiobooks before this, Shale uses voices and accents that do not fit the characters at all and are, in some cases, kind of offensive. I'm not sure if production on these happened before the episodes aired but the mispronunciations of names is kind of unforgivable if they hadn't. Just terribly irksome stuff.

I do want to make clear, however, the text by Les Martin is still quite good. The story felt like it had the thrust and suspense of the episode it is adapting and the little flourishes he adds are a welcome addition. Hits my X-Files craving nicely but if I tackle this one again for any reason I'll read it myself rather than hear the audio.

[Mike Jozic · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a decent and faithful adaptation of the episode "E.B.E." but the reader of the audiobook took some of the pleasure out of it for me. Everything from the strange voices he gave the characters, to the mispronunciation of names, to the awkward tone he gave many of the dialogue scenes, took away from what is easily one of the best first season stories and what was supposed to be a pleasant diversion while I drive or do paperwork.

[Lisa Litberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I needed a book that started with X (although I suppose this one actually starts with "E") for a reading challenge, so I pulled this off my classroom bookshelf. I had already seen the episode, so I knew what was coming, but it was a decent retelling that is good for older kids with lower reading levels, as well as younger kids who are interested in (and ready for) X-Files material.

[Al · Rating 2 out of 5]

De argumento fraco e enredo dispersivo, o roteiro no qual o livro foi baseado parece ter sido elaborado com o objetivo de tapar lacunas deixadas pela série ou como suporte para futuros episodios. Não diverte nem é útil como informação.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda of a cheat but I needed a "based on a tv show" for my reading challenge and this YA adaptation that I found at a thrift store fit the bill. It made me excited for the revival.