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Ghostbusters
Cover worn. Shipped from the U.K. All orders received before 3pm sent that weekday.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 21, 2019
Before I kill myself I just want to review this book. So the question one must ask themselves is this:
Is it pointless to review a novelisation?
Something that was rushed out just to make a few more bucks alongside the film?
Something not born in any author’s imagination, but rather placed upon someone with a deadline and a rigid set of guidelines?
Well, of course it’s pointless. But I’m gonna do it anyway.
I didn’t expect much from this book. Of all films one might want to read a book for, Ghostbusters does not strike a cord of interest in me. Except that’s just where my interest was spawned from. I was curious to see how the hell a novel like this could work. I was also encouraged by the positive reviews from other Goodreads members. “Best novelisation I’ve read,” said someone. “This book started my love for reading,” said someone else. And, like, to each his own and all that. But I haven’t gotten laid in so long I’m allowed to be an asshole.
This book was dumb and lazy. It was very, very rarely funny. And it wasn’t scary either. Comedy is hard enough to work with in writing. Tastes vary much more than in something like horror or romance. At least that’s my opinion. And aside from the fact that the comedy aspect of this book - (Ghostbusters was primarily a comedy) - wasn’t all that funny, what really makes you realise how superior the film was is the simple fact that there are certain things a book can’t do. While Ramis’s script was very clever, the magic of Ghostbusters mostly comes from the chemistry between Murray, Ackroyd, Ramis … and the black guy. This book has none of those special moments I don’t care to mention in the film. There’s very little real humour here. It all just banks off the material already set by Ramis's screenplay. I started the book honestly trying and expecting to like it. I actually was laughing despite myself when Venkman keeps giving that student electric shocks.
And I will admit that sometimes I was still laughing. It’s very rare that a book makes me physically laugh. Usually I just smile, which, since my girlfriend left and took the Xbox, happens not so often. Like, the part when the Terror Dog breaks out of Lewis’s apartment and chases him through Central Park was still very funny. Just not as hilarious as it was in the film. And I also didn’t like the author’s writing in general. That’s not to say he couldn’t write. In fact, some of his descriptions, whilst pithy, were mostly on point. But he tended to get cheesy with how he presented the heroism of the characters. He would always write things like “Here they come. Here come the Ghostbusters!! See, cheer our heroes!!!”
What was that shit all about?
No joke. I was terrified of Gozer when I was young. She still creeps me out. Her raspy voice: it gets me every time. As a quick offside, that’s where I think the real failure in the upcoming Ghostbusters remake lies. It’s not to do with sexism. That’s just Sony’s excuse for fucking up. Men and women both don’t like the trailer because it shows the film as nothing but a shallow retelling grasping for straws of nostalgia people cherish fondly from the original. The fact that they’re remaking something that doesn’t fucking need to be touched is very annoying. But I still think people might have gone with it, except it just doesn’t look like a Ghostbusters film. It looks like a raunchy Paul Feig comedy. People seem to forget that Ghostbusters was essentially a funny horror film. Or a scary comedy. Whichever way you wanna put it. The new film looks like full-on comedy.
All in all, this book is short and easy to read. It fails, however, at doing what any good novelisation should do. That is to expand on the film, take the audience further. Give the story more depth. This book did nothing of the sort. It was just a lazy, though readable, translation of the script. Next.
Is it pointless to review a novelisation?
Something that was rushed out just to make a few more bucks alongside the film?
Something not born in any author’s imagination, but rather placed upon someone with a deadline and a rigid set of guidelines?
Well, of course it’s pointless. But I’m gonna do it anyway.
I didn’t expect much from this book. Of all films one might want to read a book for, Ghostbusters does not strike a cord of interest in me. Except that’s just where my interest was spawned from. I was curious to see how the hell a novel like this could work. I was also encouraged by the positive reviews from other Goodreads members. “Best novelisation I’ve read,” said someone. “This book started my love for reading,” said someone else. And, like, to each his own and all that. But I haven’t gotten laid in so long I’m allowed to be an asshole.
This book was dumb and lazy. It was very, very rarely funny. And it wasn’t scary either. Comedy is hard enough to work with in writing. Tastes vary much more than in something like horror or romance. At least that’s my opinion. And aside from the fact that the comedy aspect of this book - (Ghostbusters was primarily a comedy) - wasn’t all that funny, what really makes you realise how superior the film was is the simple fact that there are certain things a book can’t do. While Ramis’s script was very clever, the magic of Ghostbusters mostly comes from the chemistry between Murray, Ackroyd, Ramis … and the black guy. This book has none of those special moments I don’t care to mention in the film. There’s very little real humour here. It all just banks off the material already set by Ramis's screenplay. I started the book honestly trying and expecting to like it. I actually was laughing despite myself when Venkman keeps giving that student electric shocks.
And I will admit that sometimes I was still laughing. It’s very rare that a book makes me physically laugh. Usually I just smile, which, since my girlfriend left and took the Xbox, happens not so often. Like, the part when the Terror Dog breaks out of Lewis’s apartment and chases him through Central Park was still very funny. Just not as hilarious as it was in the film. And I also didn’t like the author’s writing in general. That’s not to say he couldn’t write. In fact, some of his descriptions, whilst pithy, were mostly on point. But he tended to get cheesy with how he presented the heroism of the characters. He would always write things like “Here they come. Here come the Ghostbusters!! See, cheer our heroes!!!”
What was that shit all about?
No joke. I was terrified of Gozer when I was young. She still creeps me out. Her raspy voice: it gets me every time. As a quick offside, that’s where I think the real failure in the upcoming Ghostbusters remake lies. It’s not to do with sexism. That’s just Sony’s excuse for fucking up. Men and women both don’t like the trailer because it shows the film as nothing but a shallow retelling grasping for straws of nostalgia people cherish fondly from the original. The fact that they’re remaking something that doesn’t fucking need to be touched is very annoying. But I still think people might have gone with it, except it just doesn’t look like a Ghostbusters film. It looks like a raunchy Paul Feig comedy. People seem to forget that Ghostbusters was essentially a funny horror film. Or a scary comedy. Whichever way you wanna put it. The new film looks like full-on comedy.
All in all, this book is short and easy to read. It fails, however, at doing what any good novelisation should do. That is to expand on the film, take the audience further. Give the story more depth. This book did nothing of the sort. It was just a lazy, though readable, translation of the script. Next.
October 27, 2011
I've read a few movie novelizations in my time, but this one is by far my favorite. Maybe it's the present tense, maybe it's because the movie's plot is so much fun, but Milne did a fantastic job on this. Now, if only I could find a copy somewhere...
April 3, 2013
This was the book that started it all for me. I remember being seven years old, reading it four times in a row on the roof of a canal boat. Lots of pictures in the middle, names I couldn't pronounce so I made up my own. It was the first grownup book I ever read, and from there was born an obsession.
Maximum awesome.
Maximum awesome.
April 30, 2022
Ghostbusters
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2025
Review 32. Ghostbusters by Larry Milne
Page Count : 192
Ghostbusters has always been one of my favourite films and this isn't the first time I have read this book.
This book expands slightly on the story in the film with added bits of dialogue that weren't included in the film.
I love reading these books and never get bored of them.
Even though they are extremely short books they still take me almost 2 days to read as I don't read them constantly.
If you like the original Ghostbusters book, then this book will be for you.
5*
*****
Page Count : 192
Ghostbusters has always been one of my favourite films and this isn't the first time I have read this book.
This book expands slightly on the story in the film with added bits of dialogue that weren't included in the film.
I love reading these books and never get bored of them.
Even though they are extremely short books they still take me almost 2 days to read as I don't read them constantly.
If you like the original Ghostbusters book, then this book will be for you.
5*
*****
April 23, 2019
Who you gonna call?
That's right, Ghostbusters.
I've loved the film ever since I was a kid, and I kinda hoped for a bit more here. It did what it could, but there is only so much you can expand with in a novelization. There was nothing I disliked about the book, the problem was that I was coming into it with an expectation of more.
It was a good book, but in this case I prefer the film.
That's right, Ghostbusters.
I've loved the film ever since I was a kid, and I kinda hoped for a bit more here. It did what it could, but there is only so much you can expand with in a novelization. There was nothing I disliked about the book, the problem was that I was coming into it with an expectation of more.
It was a good book, but in this case I prefer the film.
September 11, 2014
It's all about the present! Makes the character's actions so much more obvious if you can't follow them in the film. And you get every minute detail described to you. Still, if you're a fan of the film it's a great way to re-live the 80s!
February 12, 2019
listened toon youtube
January 12, 2022
The Ghostbusters just as you remember them. A great revisit for those who loved the movie
Venkman, Spengler and Stantz are parapsychologists trying to prove their theories on the unknown. They get their big break when a spectre appears at the New York public library, triggering a series of events for them to become the world's first paranormal exterminators.
Now New York is in the grips of an unprecedented wave of supernatural activity. Joined by Winston, the four Ghostbusters suit up to protect humanity from the wraiths terrorizing them... or something worse.
This is a great story and in some ways reading the novel instead of re-watching the movie was a better experience. The novel has all the same great scenes and sounds, without feeling like it has dated at all. As you read, your mind substitutes all the fine details exactly as you remember them.
The author, Larrry Milne, did a fantastic job, making it a very easy and enjoyable read. The writing is clear and very well written without unnecessary extra descriptions. The version I have also included colour pictures from the movie, a 'making of the film' section and some information about the actors. This made for a very interesting trip down memory lane when reading the novel.
There are a few of the deleted scenes included in the book, as well as slight variations on the lines and actions in the movie. There isn't anything that drastically changes the telling of the story with all the main points remaining the same. It was interesting to compare the two afterwards just to see the differences.
One strange thing in the novel was the occasional hook thrown out. As if there were some narrator of a radio play ensuring you'd be back to find out what happens next. It didn't really deduct too much from the reading, it just jarred the reading a little bit for me, as if they were trying to break the forth wall.
This was very worth the read and great for those who enjoyed the movie. I'm sure I will be re-reading this myself at some point in the future. There is nothing I'd want to see changed with this iconic story and it's very much worth a 5/5. If you were a fan of the movie I'd say pick up a copy if you can,
Venkman, Spengler and Stantz are parapsychologists trying to prove their theories on the unknown. They get their big break when a spectre appears at the New York public library, triggering a series of events for them to become the world's first paranormal exterminators.
Now New York is in the grips of an unprecedented wave of supernatural activity. Joined by Winston, the four Ghostbusters suit up to protect humanity from the wraiths terrorizing them... or something worse.
This is a great story and in some ways reading the novel instead of re-watching the movie was a better experience. The novel has all the same great scenes and sounds, without feeling like it has dated at all. As you read, your mind substitutes all the fine details exactly as you remember them.
The author, Larrry Milne, did a fantastic job, making it a very easy and enjoyable read. The writing is clear and very well written without unnecessary extra descriptions. The version I have also included colour pictures from the movie, a 'making of the film' section and some information about the actors. This made for a very interesting trip down memory lane when reading the novel.
There are a few of the deleted scenes included in the book, as well as slight variations on the lines and actions in the movie. There isn't anything that drastically changes the telling of the story with all the main points remaining the same. It was interesting to compare the two afterwards just to see the differences.
One strange thing in the novel was the occasional hook thrown out. As if there were some narrator of a radio play ensuring you'd be back to find out what happens next. It didn't really deduct too much from the reading, it just jarred the reading a little bit for me, as if they were trying to break the forth wall.
This was very worth the read and great for those who enjoyed the movie. I'm sure I will be re-reading this myself at some point in the future. There is nothing I'd want to see changed with this iconic story and it's very much worth a 5/5. If you were a fan of the movie I'd say pick up a copy if you can,
November 25, 2023
While I understand this book is based off the script, I wasn’t expecting a scene by screen play through of the movie. It’s clear this book was created off a script that wasn’t quite finished or was finished but the movie hadn’t been shot yet. For example, the Ghostbusters wear visors like early adaptations of the script and the Ecto 1 is silver and not white.
The author also seems to be jaded by the Ghostbusters. In what may have been his attempt at humor, instead was just insult after insult of the Ghostbusters. I was hoping for a little extra, maybe scenes not in the movie, details left out, but this is pretty much a shot for shot description of the film.
A great example of the movie based off the film would be the Rambo trilogy. The author, who wrote the original story before the movie, then adapted the next two films into books, and had some liberties with the movie and story, that made the books better than the movie.
Also, the what’s with the weird line about Louis Tully wanted to be raped by Dana? The whole book was unenjoyable, but at 167 pages, and a shot for shot version, you can blow through this thing in less than a day. Watch the movie and save yourself some time.
The author also seems to be jaded by the Ghostbusters. In what may have been his attempt at humor, instead was just insult after insult of the Ghostbusters. I was hoping for a little extra, maybe scenes not in the movie, details left out, but this is pretty much a shot for shot description of the film.
A great example of the movie based off the film would be the Rambo trilogy. The author, who wrote the original story before the movie, then adapted the next two films into books, and had some liberties with the movie and story, that made the books better than the movie.
Also, the what’s with the weird line about Louis Tully wanted to be raped by Dana? The whole book was unenjoyable, but at 167 pages, and a shot for shot version, you can blow through this thing in less than a day. Watch the movie and save yourself some time.
June 13, 2018
Recently I re-watched the 80's classic Ghostbusters and for the first time I wondered if there had ever been a novelization of the story. Spoiler alert: There is and it's pretty weird. Much like the Star Trek screen-to-book adaptations that I've read this was written directly after the film was released and includes additional scenes and background information not covered in the original film. For example, did you know that Winston's last name is Zeddemore? And if you had only read the book I doubt you'd find Dana very charming...in fact you might think she was abrasive. While it mostly stuck to the script's dialogue, the character descriptions fell short of the mark. (Egon is still the best though.) Bonus material like movie stills, cast and crew bios, and movie credits were tacked on making this feel less like a novelization and more like a marketing ploy. (If you haven't guessed yet I wasn't overly impressed with it.) What I like about both the book and movie are all of the obvious nods to New York like the Schwarzman branch downtown. It's such a cool way to feel connected to the story. XD I can't deny that it wasn't that great though so it's a 3/10 from me.
March 11, 2020
I sought out this vintage book on eBay as a big fan of the film and having watched numerous times I know it pretty much word for word. This book seems mostly a promotional tool for the release of the 1984 film and the caption “based on the screenplay” is noticeably appropriate.
Some of the key comedy lines from the final cut of the film are disappointingly not there (a number of lines that were ad-libbed or reworded by the cast during filming). This leads me to think the writer rewrote what he read in a script rather than ever actually seeing the film on a screen before penning this book (further proof being his description of Slimer - who is said to be yellow in colour.)
Despite this, it is an enjoyable sub 200 page quick and easy read that presents a little bit more humanity to Venkman - a look into his inner thoughts and his genuine care for Dana, and as a fan I did really like picture inserts, the making of the film section and cast profiles at the back which acts as a kind of DVD extra in print.
Seek it out only if you’re a fan.
Some of the key comedy lines from the final cut of the film are disappointingly not there (a number of lines that were ad-libbed or reworded by the cast during filming). This leads me to think the writer rewrote what he read in a script rather than ever actually seeing the film on a screen before penning this book (further proof being his description of Slimer - who is said to be yellow in colour.)
Despite this, it is an enjoyable sub 200 page quick and easy read that presents a little bit more humanity to Venkman - a look into his inner thoughts and his genuine care for Dana, and as a fan I did really like picture inserts, the making of the film section and cast profiles at the back which acts as a kind of DVD extra in print.
Seek it out only if you’re a fan.
November 9, 2025
Been a fan of the movies since my childhood in the 80s if you have watched the original movie not much need to read this screenplay.
Some things slightly different or explained in more detail from what I can recall about the Ecto containment system and dialogue in more complete detail than the movie.
Interesting short biography of key actors and filmmakers on last pages of screenplay.
Interesting but no big revelations away from the original movie.
Some things slightly different or explained in more detail from what I can recall about the Ecto containment system and dialogue in more complete detail than the movie.
Interesting short biography of key actors and filmmakers on last pages of screenplay.
Interesting but no big revelations away from the original movie.
April 22, 2018
Quick but fun read! You know that moment when there's a line from the movie in the novelization, but 1 word got switched? Well this novelization had that with "we came we saw we kicked it's ass" because in the novelization is "We came we saw we kicked it's butt" And that kindda pisses me off but in a good way if that makes sense.
August 23, 2023
i got to page 34 and i thought to my self ' why am i even reading this ' its really bad, its fun when someone wrights an amazing book like jaws, or lotr, but when its after the movie and they write a book its not good, they clearly hired for someone to watch the move write what ever they saw and heared and nothing else, its shite, dont read this
December 28, 2019
I was in need of a short, quick read and this one fit the bill. One of my favorite movies ever. I love reading novelizations where I can play the movie in my head while reading. Though some of the best lines are not featured here which gave me sad face, this is still an enjoyable, nostalgic read!
February 23, 2021
This was surprising how good it was. There are a lot of details in there that were from the script obviously, some extra side plots that were cut from the movie, and Peter venkman is actually a pretty decent psychologist
September 12, 2023
I guess I just really wanted this to be more like the movie than it was. All in all it is more family friendly than the movie—the swearing and sexual references are super toned down for example—but beyond that, I do not see why they would remove so many iconic moment lines.
September 13, 2023
Fun read, nothing spectacular, but fun nonetheless. Unique in that it is written in first person. Writing is pretty good and I laughed at several lines throughout the book. Follows the film pretty closely but there are a few minor differences to scenes.
April 3, 2024
This is a great read!!!
I've not really read books that have been turned into films, but this book really does match the film and other than a few slight differences, you can picture the film in your minds eye and hear the voices of the characters.
I've not really read books that have been turned into films, but this book really does match the film and other than a few slight differences, you can picture the film in your minds eye and hear the voices of the characters.
April 29, 2024
Short, sweet and to the point a 1 for 1 follow along to the popular movie. I had the scenes in my head while reading the words.
Unfortunately, the description of the ghosts aren't as dramatic as the movie, so you have to stretch a little to accommodate.
Unfortunately, the description of the ghosts aren't as dramatic as the movie, so you have to stretch a little to accommodate.
July 17, 2024
A lot of fun to read, especially if you're a huge Ghostbusters fan. Always exciting to read these movie novelizations because they contain scenes not found in the movie. This book even contains a larger backstory for Winston, something sorely missed in the film.
June 8, 2019
Found this on audiobooks of the damn on youtube. The Novelization does clear up some "problems with Peter Venkman that people are currently having
December 9, 2021
Total fun. I couldn’t help but giggle a few times reading this.
July 19, 2022
It was not good.
November 18, 2022
You know ghostbusters? The film?
It's that but someone wrote it down!
It's that but someone wrote it down!
October 9, 2024
A good novelisation of a great film missing a few key quotes though.
It may be just me but it seemed to be written in a strange third person voice
It may be just me but it seemed to be written in a strange third person voice
June 8, 2022
Who you gonna call?
GHOSTBUSTERS
Like it. Really cool
GHOSTBUSTERS
Like it. Really cool
June 16, 2018
Any time I'm just not in the mood to start another book or my own writing is not on par with my standards I fall back to Ghostbusters. This book is written by a British author for consumers in the UK, but as long as you don't let some of the word choices get to you it can be very enjoyable. This is a novelization of a movie with all the scene there, just with some of the dialog and jokes changed.
February 4, 2023
I’ve been reading this one with my little Egon at her request. A novelisation of the original movies, these stories are familiar and full of humour. All the iconic scenes are included but it’s such a different experience to have the story told this way. If you fancy a easy read with a healthy dollop of nostalgia, this is the one for you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews