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Mask
When people tell Rocky Dennis to take off his mask, they don't realise it's his own face. But Rocky can cope with that. After all, he's lived with his severe disfigurement for sixteen years.
Underneath, Rocky is sharp-witted, big-hearted and tough. He needs to be. People may care - but often they just don't think.
For his mother - always unconventional, always living close to the edge - the one important thing in the world is to see her son happy.
This is their story - a story of courage, hope, determination - and a love that would never die.
Underneath, Rocky is sharp-witted, big-hearted and tough. He needs to be. People may care - but often they just don't think.
For his mother - always unconventional, always living close to the edge - the one important thing in the world is to see her son happy.
This is their story - a story of courage, hope, determination - and a love that would never die.
- GenresFiction
200 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
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99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 11, 2012
Based on Cher's movie of the same name,this book was great.I loved it.The book had more scenes than the movie and the directors cut dvd actualy put in two extra scenes that were in the book.Rocky Dennis was a couragous young man who lived his life to the fullest although he had a severe facial deformity,making him look as if he were wearing a mask.I was proud to call his mom Rusty my friend.In addition to the book and movie,I recently found out there is a musical based on this wonderful story,starring Michelle Duffy as Rusty,Greg Evigan of My Two Dads&BJ and the Bear fame as Gar,the role created by Sam Elliott,and Allan Reed as Rocky!!Having scene the movie and read the book,I'd love to see the play one day!!Rockys story touched me so that I plan on naming my next lab if its a male dog ROCKY!!!<3
June 18, 2015
This book is actually really amazing. Everyone in the book is well-drawn and likeable, including the many disabled characters. It's really refreshing to read a book about a disabled kid that doesn't fall back on the tired tropes of Writing About the Disabled.
August 1, 2020
I’m not crying, you are
Mask is one of those movies I will ALWAYS cry at. No matter how many times I see it. I try not to watch regularly, as I will embarrass myself deeply, but sometimes you just need to have a good cry and make out it was the film that did it. I was also interested to see if the novelization would differentiate from the film at all, especially after seeing the director’s cut.
After the disappointment of the last novelization I read, this was definitely one of my highlights of my novelization collection. This is fantastic. It’s even great if you haven’t seen the movie - although why haven’t you? Each character jumps off the page and there’s even more background provided.
Much more of the character of Rusty (Cher in the movie) is fleshed out. I found her to be a bit of a bitch in the movie, some of the ways she talked to Rocky, which was probably influenced by her drug use/abuse. But you see why she starts taking the drugs and how her use gradually increases and affects those around her. There’s also much more insight into her mind, her feelings about Rocky, her feelings about Gar, her father, her past relationships, Rocky’s father, her past and ultimately, her future, which you don’t necessarily get from the film. I found i was putting myself in her shoes a lot more, rather than the struggle I had with Cher’s portrayal during the film.
Rocky is also bounding off the page and much like the movie, I found myself forgetting about the way he looked. This is based on the true story of Roy “Rocky” Dennis, and I always really liked Eric Stoltz’s portrayal of him. Rocky in this brings you into the story, he just simply draws you in, even with his love of baseball cards. He is the shining star of this story and I wish there was more out there about the real Rocky.
There are some different scenes from the movie and some lines of dialogue are changed into different scenes, which you’ll notice if the film is fresh in your mind. As I said, there are huge chunks from Rusty’s point of view and her thoughts and there are some additional scenes from Rocky’s friendship with Ben and his school issues. Also his visit to the baseball game and a baseball card shop in LA. The finale has also changed very slightly and is expanded upon. I struggled with the film, as Rocky’s relationship with Diana was brought into it so late and then it never really got a resolution - but in the book, it’s neatly tied up and I wish it had been left this way in the film. It’s also nice to see a bit of an epilogue, which sticks to the film, but didn’t feel like any time had passed - at least in my view.
It’s not a long novelization, it’s only 199 pages, but there’s not a slow moment in it. John Minahan has worked well from the original script, and brought it to life, rather than just treating it as a straight conversion. I would definitely add this to your novelization collection as soon as possible - but bring tissues along for it. You’ll alternate between laughing and crying, even more-so than the film.
Mask is one of those movies I will ALWAYS cry at. No matter how many times I see it. I try not to watch regularly, as I will embarrass myself deeply, but sometimes you just need to have a good cry and make out it was the film that did it. I was also interested to see if the novelization would differentiate from the film at all, especially after seeing the director’s cut.
After the disappointment of the last novelization I read, this was definitely one of my highlights of my novelization collection. This is fantastic. It’s even great if you haven’t seen the movie - although why haven’t you? Each character jumps off the page and there’s even more background provided.
Much more of the character of Rusty (Cher in the movie) is fleshed out. I found her to be a bit of a bitch in the movie, some of the ways she talked to Rocky, which was probably influenced by her drug use/abuse. But you see why she starts taking the drugs and how her use gradually increases and affects those around her. There’s also much more insight into her mind, her feelings about Rocky, her feelings about Gar, her father, her past relationships, Rocky’s father, her past and ultimately, her future, which you don’t necessarily get from the film. I found i was putting myself in her shoes a lot more, rather than the struggle I had with Cher’s portrayal during the film.
Rocky is also bounding off the page and much like the movie, I found myself forgetting about the way he looked. This is based on the true story of Roy “Rocky” Dennis, and I always really liked Eric Stoltz’s portrayal of him. Rocky in this brings you into the story, he just simply draws you in, even with his love of baseball cards. He is the shining star of this story and I wish there was more out there about the real Rocky.
There are some different scenes from the movie and some lines of dialogue are changed into different scenes, which you’ll notice if the film is fresh in your mind. As I said, there are huge chunks from Rusty’s point of view and her thoughts and there are some additional scenes from Rocky’s friendship with Ben and his school issues. Also his visit to the baseball game and a baseball card shop in LA. The finale has also changed very slightly and is expanded upon. I struggled with the film, as Rocky’s relationship with Diana was brought into it so late and then it never really got a resolution - but in the book, it’s neatly tied up and I wish it had been left this way in the film. It’s also nice to see a bit of an epilogue, which sticks to the film, but didn’t feel like any time had passed - at least in my view.
It’s not a long novelization, it’s only 199 pages, but there’s not a slow moment in it. John Minahan has worked well from the original script, and brought it to life, rather than just treating it as a straight conversion. I would definitely add this to your novelization collection as soon as possible - but bring tissues along for it. You’ll alternate between laughing and crying, even more-so than the film.
June 20, 2018
I couldn't stop reading it was so sad and heavy, but uplifting too. For some parts I just wanted to live those moments, others I couldn't relate to at all they were so foreign. Want to read others by John Minahan.
May 15, 2016
I thought this story was an inspirational look at how a young boy dealt with his disease and lived his life as fully as possible despite the fact that most people viewed him as a "freak".
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews