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Grim Fandango Novel
Many computer games acquire a following. Fans seem driven to expand on the games they love. For some, this may involve mods (for the games that allow that). Others do artwork, or music. Others write stories. Some attempt to write novels based on the games, but sadly many fan novelizations of games are little more than transcripts. There is at least one that isn't.
First appearing in installments on the now-defunct website Glottis' Garage, the Grim Fandango novel by MeddlingMonk was initially well received. Although still sought after, it has become increasingly hard to find. Now, a thorough revision of the novel has been completed to be hosted here. Many plot points are developed more fully and the entire text has been tweaked to become more textured, more adult. If the game was intended to reflect film noir, then the novel is meant to key off of the writings of Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald.
Although adapted from an episodic game, the Grim Fandango novel presents a continuous story, filling in the gaps using hints from the game itself (including unused elements found in the game's data) or by using reasonable extrapolations. The result has given some readers the eerie feeling--despite knowing better--that it is the game that is the adaptation. If Tim Schafer had been a hardboiled novelist rather than a game designer, he might have come up with something like this.
First appearing in installments on the now-defunct website Glottis' Garage, the Grim Fandango novel by MeddlingMonk was initially well received. Although still sought after, it has become increasingly hard to find. Now, a thorough revision of the novel has been completed to be hosted here. Many plot points are developed more fully and the entire text has been tweaked to become more textured, more adult. If the game was intended to reflect film noir, then the novel is meant to key off of the writings of Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald.
Although adapted from an episodic game, the Grim Fandango novel presents a continuous story, filling in the gaps using hints from the game itself (including unused elements found in the game's data) or by using reasonable extrapolations. The result has given some readers the eerie feeling--despite knowing better--that it is the game that is the adaptation. If Tim Schafer had been a hardboiled novelist rather than a game designer, he might have come up with something like this.
- GenresFantasy
211 pages, ebook
Published August 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 1, 2018
I read this book years ago when I was a teenager, probably an earlier edition. Yes, it recalls the story of the game which won awards for it's narrative. It does have a few errors but I remember the fan dedication to this game was so great that it developed a following who were regulars in all the online forums for years until Lucasarts merged it with all the other franchises which swamped it. The book here is a treat and follows Mannya Calavera, the Department of the Dead agent (grim reaper) who unearths a widespread corruption throughout the city. It moves location according to the game but fills in the blanks where the game wouldn't be complimaneted. It takes a slightly darker tone but keeps the comedy elements that made the characterisation so strong. It's such a unique idea and storyline that i'm kind of glad not many people have discovered it and twisted/expanded it into something it isn't. The author should be proud to have provided such entertainment in written form for this game, and captured the sensitive side of the characters who search relentlessly for his client/love Mercedes Colomar. The scenes in Rubacava casino evoke Casablanca strongly, lending a nice vibe to the art deco descriptions within. No-one of any age would be disappointed with this book.
February 3, 2018
I don't care that this is glorified fan fiction, I don't even care that it could use an editor to smooth over some usage and punctuation issues that pop up again and again (your and you're are almost constantly inverted). This book STILL ticks all my boxes. Bangsian fantasy? The Grim Reaper? Film noir? Movie references? Dia de los Muertos? Jazz? Yes, all in one book. It's easy, reading this, to understand how influential this narrative, non-action-based game must have been on the "visual novel" form that so many experimental games (including the cult hit "Ace Attorney" series) took on in the past two decades.
November 16, 2020
I should play this game :)
July 12, 2021
It Is very good.
I will be honest. Im probably not being objetive with this review. I love the Grim Fandango story and world.
This novel adds some missing parts to the main game story. Parts that in the game are like "one year later", and it is very well executed.
There is also some retro-inspection from the main character that doesnt exist in the game. Sometimes he is sorry for what he did, or say that he did something because he was angry.
** Ending Spoiler Alert **
At the end, there is a really good adding, and that is the explanation of how the main character got his Double-N ticket. In the game that was not really explained and was a little bit confussing making you think that it was a fake ticket (thing that does not make sense since pepople with fake tickets went to hell when attempting to cross to the after world)
I will be honest. Im probably not being objetive with this review. I love the Grim Fandango story and world.
This novel adds some missing parts to the main game story. Parts that in the game are like "one year later", and it is very well executed.
There is also some retro-inspection from the main character that doesnt exist in the game. Sometimes he is sorry for what he did, or say that he did something because he was angry.
** Ending Spoiler Alert **
At the end, there is a really good adding, and that is the explanation of how the main character got his Double-N ticket. In the game that was not really explained and was a little bit confussing making you think that it was a fake ticket (thing that does not make sense since pepople with fake tickets went to hell when attempting to cross to the after world)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews