Ghostbusters: The Original Movie Novelizations of Books 1 and 2

by Richard Mueller

For the first time in a beautiful new edition, this omnibus will collect together the original official novelizations of both Ghostbusters 1 and 2. Relive the classic Ghostbusters stories with the original movie novelizations reprinted for the first time since 1980s. When Dr. Peter Venkman and his Columbia University colleagues are kicked out of their prestigious academic posts, they start a private practice as professional ghost-catchers. Although things do not start auspiciously for the three parascientists, their television advertisements finally pay off when beautiful Dana Barrett contracts them. It seems her apartment has become the entryway for ghastly ghosts and goofy ghouls hellbent on terrorising New York City. Soon they're not just going to her rescue, but trying to rid the whole city of the slimy creatures. After waging a war on slime that cost New York City millions, the Ghostbusters find themselves out of business until an ancient tyrant, preparing a return to the Earthly domain through his portrait at the Manhattan Museum of Modern Art, sets his sights on Dana Barrett's baby as the new home for his wicked soul!

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Humor, Horror, Paranormal

360 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 18, 2020

Reviews

[Lori S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in the day when we didn't have access to Videos, DVDs, and/or streaming, tie-in novels were the next best thing to rewatching a film. Sometimes, the novel would actually add to the plot (or keep in stuff cut from the movie due time constraints or what-have-you), sometimes it was a word-for-word plod of the movie, depending on the author and their writing style/competence.

The first book, written by Richard Mueller, which uses quotes to its advantage at the beginning of chapters, follows the first movie fairly closely, with a few exceptions that make only minimal changes to the overall plot. It's a competent rendering of the movie and though I reread the book more than once in the 80s, I found myself wishing it moved just a tad faster here in 2020.

Book 2, written by Ed Naha is one of those weird, wonderful, rare things that happen, where the book takes a somewhat lackluster movie and improves on it. He's also a better writer than Mueller, in my humble opinion. This book is exactly as I remember it, enjoyable.

Overall, 3.5 stars

[Leigh F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable listen. As a huge ghostbusters fan I jumped at the chance to listen to this and found myself reliving my childhood listening to some of my favorite characters in this novelization of the movies.

[Jason Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

"And that sequel. Oof!"

Sophia Petrillo's views do not reflect those of this review's author, but she does raise a good point. Alas for Winston Zeddemore. Having no good lines is bad enough, but according to this book it's like Ernie Hudson doesn't even exist. Just check out the cover page.



The info is exactly the same for Ghostbusters II. I understand not including Annie Potts (barely) since she was a minor character, but Hudson played a Ghostbuster. Shouldn't that count for something? He doesn't need top billing, or anything, but shouldn't he at least have billing?

Links go to my reviews of the individual books.

Ghostbusters by Richard Mueller: ★★★✰✰
Ghostbusters II by Ed Naha: ★★✰✰✰

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
Every good happy ghost story should start with a librarian character insight...

Was it the magic of the films and acting that made these novelisations so immediate in image? Very little difference in script and stories but I wasn’t unhappy about that and enjoyed the different delivery of these comedy, psych mocking and supernatural questioning characters and settings - when bonkers didn’t seem to be judged wrong and ended up as the saviours!

“We’re ready for the affection test - send in the puppy...”

[Auntie Raye-Raye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like that various backgrounds were expanded. Like, Ray's siblings were brought up and introduced.

Both books are as funny as the movies.

[Shaun Guillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, shit happens, someone has to deal with it, and who you gonna call?

C’mon, it’s Ghostbusters!!

[Kristi Robey]

Listened with my son on a road trip.

[Kent Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the films but it was fun to find out what changed from screenplay to theater.

[Michael Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exceeded my admittedly low expectations.

[Charlie Hely · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn’t really recommend unless you have a son who asks you 1,000 questions a day about Ghostbusters (and if you’re being honest you’ve also become a little obsessed).

[Allan Olley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the novelizations of the two Ghostbuster movies. The tale of some odd ball paranormal investigators who decide to set up a small business catching ghosts and some apparently unrelated incidents build into a finale where our plucky heroes must confront an powerful foe who has been working behind the scenes. Eerie events are punctuated by absurd details. The characters are irreverent, unconventional and sometimes hucksters. A certain amount of constrained ribaldry is in play.

The books lack the comic timing and other intangibles of the acting ensemble of the films (and other atmosphere like music) and so are a somewhat flatter, but they do sometimes manage to convey some of the films whimsy and fun. They also translate and in some cases amplify the films sophomoric and crude humour making characters like Peter Venkman and Egon Spengler somewhat less sympathetic and more deviant.

Many of the scenes play out slightly differently then in films and one or two scenes are changed, added or deleted completely. This is particularly true of the adaption of the first film which has action from the film witnessed by and commented on by a pair of background characters, homeless men, who do not as I recall appear in the film. I presume much of the differences is based on versions of the script the novel writers had access to that were not the ones used in the final shooting (or were altered by on set improvisation etc.), some may reflect background information that did not make it into the script or it may be the novelist's creation from whole cloth. The adaption of Ghost Buster II is noticeably shorter than for the first film and is almost more of a novella.

The endings of both stories especially the second feels very abrupt as the action is described very tersely. Normally when scenes change or the like a break in the text signals this but in the 2nd novel they often fail to do this especially in later chapters, so it can be a bit confusing and abrupt when suddenly the narrative has switched to different characters etc. Some of the more abstract elements of the plot and background are somewhat more clearly presented in the novel then in the film. For example it is clearer in the novels that we are supposed to understand various incidents as connected to the larger going on, in the action of the films I often lost track of these connections, if they were even there.

The ebook worked fine. I actually read a non-Kindle ebook but this seems close enough.

[Rusty Ray Guns · Rating 4 out of 5]

First ghostbusters book in this collection had positive and negative elements positive being characters backstroies and more aspects that you didn't see .
The down side is no swearing made alot of joke die and I feel the character's as I know them weren't well represented in this .
Book 2 was better strange as I'm not a big fan on gb 2 but feel the characters shined through on that one .

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of extra content added to both books giving some more background on some scenes and content however Winston Zeddemore is even more absent than he was in the movies which feels odd as a few of his points have been expanded it still feels less.

[Brooksann Epiceno · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for more depth or details not in the movies.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5*

[Penelope · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars for GHOSTBUSTERS #1 and 3 Stars for GHOSTBUSTERS #2, both Original movie Novelizations written by Richard Mueller and Ed Naha. My husband and I listened to the audio version of GHOST BUSTERS 1 & 2 read by Johnny Heller a few chapters at a time over coffee as we greeted the new day. Listening to the audio was like watching the movies once again - but with the video blocked. GHOSTBUSTERS 1 & 2, paranormal sci-fi spoof, closely follow the stories and tone of the original productions with very few departures. We thought Heller voiced the different characters distinctly and well.

MY RATING GUIDE: 1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= We MOSTLY ENJOYED this; 3.5= WE ENJOYED IT; 4= We liked it a lot; 5= We Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).

GHOSTBUSTERS 1 ~
Recently terminated Columbia University professor and (glib-tongued) psychologist Dr Peter Venkman along with his colleagues and fellow terminated professors Dr Ray Stance and Dr Egan Spangler excitedly rush into New York City’s public library upon hearing of unusual and bizarre paranormal occurrences. As summer passes into late autumn, the initially amused Manhattanites become concerned and frightened when the seemingly benign ghostly presences turn unruly and begin disrupting and destroying their city. Can the eccentric team of GHOSTBUSTERS can save the day? GHOSTBUSTERS 2 occurs 4yrs later and picks up with the main characters in various odd employment positions. Following the ghostly clean-up of NYC, neither the public nor the mayor any longer feel the need for the Ghost-busting “heroes” expertise. Until the ghostly beings again haunt New York City.

What we liked or didn’t - GHOSTBUSTERS 1 & 2 are Classics originally produced in 1984 & 1989. Surprisingly, most of the humor has held up over that 35yrs and my husband and I found ourselves chuckling occasionally as we listened, while recalling various scenes. We preferred book #1 over the sequel - for laughs and ability to keep our attention. Book #2 is set 4yrs later, with brewing trouble inside a NY art museum with Dana/FMC from book #1. We found GB#2 slower to start with seemingly longer ebbs of narration between the fun bits of action and dialogue. Our attention definitely wandered more with book #2. Before we were 1/3 through #2, my husband asked which book I had selected for our next audio. Yet, (especially #1) they were good for a few laughs and a trip down memory lane.

Fun GHOSTBUSTERS Quotables - “Ecto-plasm;” Slimed;” We came; we saw; we kicked it’s butt;” “They’re not guns they’re Charged partical-throwers;” “Spook-Kooks;” “No job is too small, no fee too big.”

Devoted Fans of the Original GHOSTBUSTERS movie(s), SNL television, quirky comedies, and readers of light Fantasy/Paranormal fiction might enjoy checking out the audio of GHOSTBUSTERS. Both are light Pick-Me-Up novels. To best keep our attention, we listened at 1.2 speed.

Characters -
Peter Venkman - Ghostbuster, psychologist & parapsychologist, a bit of a charlatan. Reduced to children birthday parties after bk #1.
Ray Stanz- tall, Ghostbuster, para-scientist, mechanic & Sales. Working with Spengler following bk#1.
Egon Spengler - Ghostbuster, para-scientist, electronics & alarms. And Janine. Returns to college teaching following bk#1.
Winston Zeddemore - Ghostbuster, retired military. Friendly w Stanz.
Janine Melnitz - red-hair, semi-employed actor, GHOSTBUSTERS secretary/receptionist, flirting w Spangler.
Dana Barrett - professional cellist, NYC apt dweller &1st civilian haunt, “terror-dog” victim.
Louis Tully - her nerdy accountant neighbor, “terror-dog”victim.
Walter Peck - NYC EPA inspector

READER CAUTIONS -
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used on occasion.
VIOLENCE - G/PG.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Occasional Innuendos.

[Victor Orozco · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Print is dead." A statement that Egon Spengler said in 1984 sadly rings true in regards to the original novelizations of the Ghostbusters movies. Used books of such a great film series are expensive but thanks to the release of the teaser trailer to Ghostbusters Afterlife, the publisher has reprinted the original novelizations for the first time since the 1980s in a 300+ page collection. It's a shame they haven't bothered to novelize Ghostbusters Afterlife, the true successor to the Ghostbusters franchise.

Ghostbusters
It all begins here with a wonderful adaptation of the penultimate script to the movie. Clearly, there are some differences here and there. Mostly from the writer who loyally adapts the screenplay but also adds a splendid amount of detail not found in the movie. Some of it is found from deleted scenes that were eventually released on DVD/Blu-ray/4KHD. Two vagrants walking amidst various incidents. How Ray and Winston are on a job in a museum was partially depicted in the final film as Ray's dream sequence with a beautiful ghost giving him a "job." A scene involving the Ecto-1 dealing with unwanted parking tickets.

But the best part comes from the writer who adapts some nice detail on the Ghostbusters never realized in the final film. How Peter Venkman was the son of a carnival showman, Egon a total geek completely awkward with women. Or how Ray Stantz has been enamored with the paranormal as a way to avoid his stern older brother and activist sister. Dana Barrett has two brothers of her own. And Winston Zeddemore formerly a highly trained airman with US Strategic Air Command looking for work with the Ghostbusters.

But probably what makes this so different from the final film is that the movie allowed the actors to adlib whereas this book contains the original dialogue that was meant to be said. And you can bet guys like Dan Akroyd and Bill Murray were definitely going to adlib.

A great story adapted for reading and so glad to have finally read it. 4.5 Stars.

Ghostbusters 2
It ends for the books here but continues for the films, Ghostbusters 2 is a decent adaptation but unlike the previous book, this isn't as good. Mostly, I think, it's because of the different writer who adapts this story but also the controversy behind the screenwriters, Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis, being encouraged to make it for money in the wake of the original's success as well as the popular animated series.

This once again feels like a script that was adapted before the final shooting script with several scenes that were shot out of sequence as well as some rumored deleted scenes that weren't shown even in the DVD/Blu-ray/4KHD. Ray's possession by Vigo effecting him beyond the museum scene and the final confrontation. This writer also probably wasn't given much to work with concerning certain details and whatnot. And of course, the fact the performers were known for ad-libbing their dialogue in the final film. As well as various scenes that were left out of the book like the examination of the photographs of Vigo or the Ghostbusters in the subway before falling into to the river of slime. Or scenes that were never filmed at all like the fate of mayoral aide Jack Hardemeyer.

Still, a better story than that awful reboot. 4 stars.

[Philmore Olazo · Rating 4 out of 5]

What we have here is a refreshing take on movie novelizations, breaking away from the often mundane retellings of on-screen events. Unlike typical adaptations that merely mirror the movie, these novelizations infuse the familiar narratives with added depth, backstory, and character insight.

While staying faithful to the main storyline of the original movies, the novels delve deeper into the minds of the characters, providing a glimpse into their thoughts and emotions. Egon Spengler receives notable attention, evolving from a mere egghead in the movies to a more fleshed-out character with a range of emotions and complexities.

In the adaptation of the first movie, the emergence of the ancient demon Gozer triggers supernatural occurrences in New York City, coinciding with the investigations of three university professors: Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, and Ray Stantz. The novel reflects the cleverness and humor of the original movie, with engaging twists and comedic moments. However, the censorship of foul language does affect negatively the funny dialogue in some scenes. This man has no dick as an example.

In contrast, the adaptation of the second movie, while not reaching the same heights as its predecessor, still offers added depth through inner monologues and expanded backstories.

Overall, the novelizations succeed in transforming the beloved movies into a distinct literary format, enriching the familiar stories with new layers of characterization and narrative detail.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written, funny (though not as funny as the movies, because the chemistry of the cast can't be rendered as successfully in writing) and accurate, expanding on the story with details from the original scripts, as well as deleted scenes.

I was particularly happy with Ed Naha's novelization of GB II, as it addressed my one great complaint about the movie: Vigo's possession of Ray , which started out as an intriguing plot point, building suspense, and ended up receiving a disappointing and half-hearted treatment at the end of the movie.

An additional spoiler for those who are curious about it (that is me, always on the lookout for Ray Stantz lore): Ray's ~freaky~ ghost encounter was, in fact, a case, not a dream. Moreover, he later returned to Fort Detmerring, by himself. Do what you will with this information.

[Lois Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

My last Halloween listen for the week - as it says, it's simply the novelizations for the original two Ghostbusters movies (the second was always my favorite out of the two), and it's basically what you get. The second movie book was in relative comparison the most different in that a few scenes here and there were a little different from what I'm really used to from the movie. The first one the the most that was different was all these years I never thought about the major characters's backgrounds and families and the like, and we got that here. Whatever - it's simply good stuff if you really liked the movies and want the book instead.

[Kain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! As one of my favourite film franchises and as a kid a favourite comic series I was stoked to read this collection. Although there are some very short random scenes in the book I feel they fit in nicely with the placement of the story and actually answer some questions from the movies. I also feel that Winston is potrayed more fairly in the book where as the movies he seems almost like a background character. His and Ray's friendship is sweet as well. Love the ending to the second book where Louis and Slimer make an agreement and ceasefire to go bowling! All in all loved this book collection. Wish there were more!

[Mark Partee · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first novel might as well have been a script. It mirrored the movie so closely that there was little reason to read it if you've seen the movie. The few extra things the author did add felt silly and out of place.

The second movie's novel was much better. The writing was much better than the first and the author did a good job of balancing staying true to the film and making his own changes/additions. When dialogue was added it felt authentic and matched the character's personality in the movie. There were several instances that I actually laughed out loud at dialogue the author added in.

If I could have rated based on the second book alone, my rating would have been higher.

[Synia · Rating 5 out of 5]

+1 star: audiobook edition is narrated by Johnny Heller, who also does N.E.R.D.S. and who has a very funny delivery style
+2 stars: sometimes things in movies move too fast for me so having the actions and motives said out loud helps me understand some aspects I missed before
+1 star: my toddler is obsessed with ghostbusters so I can listen to this while doing chores and he's relatively content
+1 star: even though the author more or less has to follow the exact events of the movie they do put effort into timing the prose itself to be effective.

[Bob Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fun to read

Having seen both movies it was fun reading this book. I did have two small problems with these adaptations. In the first story of Ghostbusters there were two times the dialogue was different from the dialogue in the movie. This was a bit of a let down, I mean they made the book a little less funny, because of it. In the Ghostbusters II the dialogue was more like the movie. Still these were good stories and they stayed fairly well in step with the movies. If you like the original Ghostbusters you should try this book.

[Nathan M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this was so weird. Ghostbusters is my favorite movie ever, to the point of where I consider II to be a favorite as well. Both originals are my favorite movie, if that makes sense.

And these were not good. Each novelization included completely different dialogue, extra characters (with unnecessary back stories!), altered dialogue (in the movie a certain person says a line, in the books a different character says the line) etc.

I wasn't expecting them to be EXACTLY like the movies, but there was far too much different for my liking.

I'll stick to endlessly re-watching the movies.

[Christopher Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up watching Ghostbusters 1 and 2 not to mention the various cartoons and yes I also mean the one with the giant Ape lol, but being a person that has always loved books over tv and movies I had to give this one a go. They didn't do to bad a job although the author took a few liberties that changed things from the movies after all he had to flesh it out more being a book but I found it an okay read for any fans of the movie.

[Tyler Mickelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parts I hated parts I liked. As a life long Ghostbusters fan I was excited to give this book a read. There were a few aspects that expanded the story line, but the changes from the movie were not always better. Tons of dialogue lines felt like they were censored for some reason. The book just doesn't hit the same as the movies. If you love Ghostbusters give it a read but if you are just a casual fan I would pass on this book altogether. 2.5/5 stars

[Horror Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It makes you realize how much the actors of ghostbusters add to the total film experience, both of these books are fine, but they can never really replace the films' experiences. There's a film good new ghost moments, but that's about it, and even then, the authors barely manage to describe the ghosts in any detail.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is so crazy it is taking so long to get sequel to these movies. I know there are tons of comics but this should have had a crazy long life in novelization followups. I did enjoy hearing the recaps of the movies with some of deleted scenes thrown in. Winston has slightly more of a story arch but still gets shorted out of the four.

[Kim Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novelizations coming back into style this past year, I was delighted to rediscover these books which I had separately some time ago. They're both wonderfully faithful to the movies with some added background character information particularly in book one. The only reason this lost points was the annoying number of typos in the second novel. Overall, a wonderful trip down memory lane.