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Jim Henson's Labyrinth: The Novelization
The official novelization of Jim Henson’s cult classic film along with a behind-the-scenes look at the film’s conception from the Jim Henson Archives.
Sarah has thirteen hours to save her brother from a land where everything seems possible and nothing is what it seems.
Experience the beloved fantasy classic Labyrinth adapted by A.C.H. Smith and personally overseen by Jim Henson. Featuring twenty previously unpublished illustrations by legendary illustrator and concept artist Brian Froud and an exclusive peek into Jim Henson’s creative process with fifty never-before-seen pages from his personal journal, detailing the initial conception of his ideas for Labyrinth.
Sarah has thirteen hours to save her brother from a land where everything seems possible and nothing is what it seems.
Experience the beloved fantasy classic Labyrinth adapted by A.C.H. Smith and personally overseen by Jim Henson. Featuring twenty previously unpublished illustrations by legendary illustrator and concept artist Brian Froud and an exclusive peek into Jim Henson’s creative process with fifty never-before-seen pages from his personal journal, detailing the initial conception of his ideas for Labyrinth.
- GenresFantasy
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2022
12 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Jim Henson
182 books382 followersJim Henson was an American puppeteer, filmmaker, and creative visionary whose influence on television, film, and puppetry reshaped the world of entertainment. Best known as the creator of the Muppets, Henson blended humor, whimsy, and heart in ways that captivated both children and adults. His work spanned television, feature films, and innovative storytelling formats, and he is remembered as a pioneer whose imagination opened new artistic frontiers.
Born James Maury Henson in 1936 in Mississippi and raised in Maryland, Henson showed an early interest in art, puppetry, and television. While attending the University of Maryland, he created “Sam and Friends,” a five-minute TV show that introduced audiences to a lizard-like puppet named Kermit, a character that would later evolve into the world-famous Kermit the Frog. The show was the beginning of a lifelong partnership between Henson and his future wife, Jane Nebel, who co-performed and co-developed early puppet characters.
In 1958, the couple founded Muppets, Inc., which would grow into The Jim Henson Company. Henson's innovative approach to puppetry transformed the field. He used flexible foam, fabric, and expressive hand movements to create puppets that could convey real emotion—characters that connected with audiences in a way few had seen before. He also redefined the way puppets were filmed, using monitors and unique camera angles to make them more lifelike and engaging.
Henson’s career reached a new height in 1969 when he joined the creative team behind “Sesame Street.” There, he created and performed many of the show’s iconic characters, including Ernie, Cookie Monster, Bert, Grover, and Oscar the Grouch. His work on “Sesame Street” helped the show become a global educational phenomenon, blending entertainment with learning for millions of children worldwide. Henson’s belief that television could be both entertaining and educational guided much of his creative output.
Despite his success with “Sesame Street,” Henson was eager to prove that puppetry could be more than just a children’s medium. After years of rejection, he finally launched “The Muppet Show” in 1976, a comedy-variety series starring a troupe of eccentric puppet performers led by Kermit the Frog. The show became an international hit, attracting celebrity guest stars and earning critical acclaim. It ran for five seasons and led to several successful theatrical films, including “The Muppet Movie” (1979), “The Great Muppet Caper” (1981), and “The Muppets Take Manhattan” (1984).
Henson’s ambition and imagination were not limited to the Muppets. In the 1980s, he began developing darker, more complex fantasy worlds. He co-directed and co-wrote “The Dark Crystal” (1982), a visually groundbreaking film that created an entirely original mythology. In 1986, he directed “Labyrinth,” starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, a film that combined puppetry, music, and elaborate set design. Though not initially successful at the box office, “Labyrinth” became a cult classic and remains beloved today.
Henson also created “Fraggle Rock,” a musical fantasy series that addressed themes like cooperation, identity, and environmental stewardship. With “The StoryTeller,” he brought European folk tales to life using an artful blend of live action and puppetry. Both shows showcased his continued desire to experiment with format and content, always pushing boundaries and exploring new artistic territory.
Jim Henson died unexpectedly in 1990 from a sudden bacterial infection, just as he was in talks to sell his company to The Walt Disney Company. His death shocked the entertainment world, but his legacy endured. Through The Jim Henson Company and The Jim Henson Foundation, his commitment to puppetry, innovation, and creative storytelling continues to thrive.
More than three decades after his passing, Jim Henson’s characters still inspire wonder and joy. He believed in the power of imagination to chang
Born James Maury Henson in 1936 in Mississippi and raised in Maryland, Henson showed an early interest in art, puppetry, and television. While attending the University of Maryland, he created “Sam and Friends,” a five-minute TV show that introduced audiences to a lizard-like puppet named Kermit, a character that would later evolve into the world-famous Kermit the Frog. The show was the beginning of a lifelong partnership between Henson and his future wife, Jane Nebel, who co-performed and co-developed early puppet characters.
In 1958, the couple founded Muppets, Inc., which would grow into The Jim Henson Company. Henson's innovative approach to puppetry transformed the field. He used flexible foam, fabric, and expressive hand movements to create puppets that could convey real emotion—characters that connected with audiences in a way few had seen before. He also redefined the way puppets were filmed, using monitors and unique camera angles to make them more lifelike and engaging.
Henson’s career reached a new height in 1969 when he joined the creative team behind “Sesame Street.” There, he created and performed many of the show’s iconic characters, including Ernie, Cookie Monster, Bert, Grover, and Oscar the Grouch. His work on “Sesame Street” helped the show become a global educational phenomenon, blending entertainment with learning for millions of children worldwide. Henson’s belief that television could be both entertaining and educational guided much of his creative output.
Despite his success with “Sesame Street,” Henson was eager to prove that puppetry could be more than just a children’s medium. After years of rejection, he finally launched “The Muppet Show” in 1976, a comedy-variety series starring a troupe of eccentric puppet performers led by Kermit the Frog. The show became an international hit, attracting celebrity guest stars and earning critical acclaim. It ran for five seasons and led to several successful theatrical films, including “The Muppet Movie” (1979), “The Great Muppet Caper” (1981), and “The Muppets Take Manhattan” (1984).
Henson’s ambition and imagination were not limited to the Muppets. In the 1980s, he began developing darker, more complex fantasy worlds. He co-directed and co-wrote “The Dark Crystal” (1982), a visually groundbreaking film that created an entirely original mythology. In 1986, he directed “Labyrinth,” starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, a film that combined puppetry, music, and elaborate set design. Though not initially successful at the box office, “Labyrinth” became a cult classic and remains beloved today.
Henson also created “Fraggle Rock,” a musical fantasy series that addressed themes like cooperation, identity, and environmental stewardship. With “The StoryTeller,” he brought European folk tales to life using an artful blend of live action and puppetry. Both shows showcased his continued desire to experiment with format and content, always pushing boundaries and exploring new artistic territory.
Jim Henson died unexpectedly in 1990 from a sudden bacterial infection, just as he was in talks to sell his company to The Walt Disney Company. His death shocked the entertainment world, but his legacy endured. Through The Jim Henson Company and The Jim Henson Foundation, his commitment to puppetry, innovation, and creative storytelling continues to thrive.
More than three decades after his passing, Jim Henson’s characters still inspire wonder and joy. He believed in the power of imagination to chang
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 16, 2025
This was a neat read. It provided just a little extra into the minds and feelings of the characters. I feel like this has a deeper meaning for me now that I'm older, instead of just being entertained by the songs and puppets and...Jareth. *cough cough*
The book also had original concept art and excerpts from Jim Henson's journal at the end. Very cool look at the mind and art behind the movie!
The book also had original concept art and excerpts from Jim Henson's journal at the end. Very cool look at the mind and art behind the movie!
February 10, 2023
I enjoyed this novelization because it fleshes out the characters and scenes somewhat from the movie, and gave me additional context and things to look for the next time I watch it. Sarah is less bratty, Jareth is more bored with his life, and it hints at the various subtleties in the film that might go unnoticed, such as Jareth being the same person as the man her mother left her father for. The writing isn't amazing; there is a lot of "was" and past-tense, but I found it enjoyable enough that I can see myself rereading it in the future. Some parts bored me (the same ones that do in the film -- namely the Fireys), but others fleshed out the story more and I found myself wishing I had seen that scene on-screen.
April 1, 2025
This book is sooooo good. I love the way they changed the ballroom scene to be more romantic. Ever since I got into this movie I wanted Jareth and Sarah to be together so bad. This movie and book is so so very good. If you are a David Bowie fan I definitely recommend this book and movie. They did a great job at editing it from the original to make it kind of like their own. It is very creative and very beautifully made. I love it.
April 5, 2025
This book gives a bit more insight into the characters and the world of 'Jim Henson's Labyrinth', with extra concept art AND notes photocopied from a notebook of Henson himself.
Which really caught my curiousity, as since my childhood, I have been in love with the movie. Enthraled with the whimsy, adventure, the goblins and -off course- their king. (blushing)
This book dives deeper into Sarah and her feelings about everything. About her families situation and her mother's life and Sarah's fixation on theatre. You really feel like you're on the journey with Sarah in figuring out the lines between childhood and maturing, in which Jareth represents just that. The peach dream sequence was beautifully balanced between magical and unsettling.
The only thing I truly disliked about this book was the ending. It was a bit different from the movie,
Which really caught my curiousity, as since my childhood, I have been in love with the movie. Enthraled with the whimsy, adventure, the goblins and -off course- their king. (blushing)
This book dives deeper into Sarah and her feelings about everything. About her families situation and her mother's life and Sarah's fixation on theatre. You really feel like you're on the journey with Sarah in figuring out the lines between childhood and maturing, in which Jareth represents just that. The peach dream sequence was beautifully balanced between magical and unsettling.
The only thing I truly disliked about this book was the ending. It was a bit different from the movie,
March 17, 2025
New favorite book
My favorite movie of all time is Labyrinth, so when I discovered last month that there is a novelization of this very movie, I instantly snatched it up. The novel follows the movie very closely. My vision is poor, so there were points in the book that finally got through to me. I love the descriptions of all the characters and especially the chapter where Sarah eats the peach. I highly recommend reading this if you are a fan of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth the movie.
My favorite movie of all time is Labyrinth, so when I discovered last month that there is a novelization of this very movie, I instantly snatched it up. The novel follows the movie very closely. My vision is poor, so there were points in the book that finally got through to me. I love the descriptions of all the characters and especially the chapter where Sarah eats the peach. I highly recommend reading this if you are a fan of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth the movie.
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April 29, 2025Jim Henson's Labyrinth is one of my favourite films. In fact, it jointly takes the number one spot with Adam Sandler's film Big Daddy.
When reading this book not only did I clearly enjoy but I also learnt some new vocabulary. I learnt that seldom means rarely and I also learnt that convulsing means to shake violently.
I would say this book has great descriptive language.
When reading this book not only did I clearly enjoy but I also learnt some new vocabulary. I learnt that seldom means rarely and I also learnt that convulsing means to shake violently.
I would say this book has great descriptive language.
July 22, 2023
Honestly this book was really good, it gave more insight into Sarah’s life, things like info about her mother and such, and you could really feel the emotions as you read this book, honestly a 10/10 book, :D
June 24, 2025
I loved this book!!! Finished it in one day! The movie was my favorite when I was a kid so the book was even better. It added more details than the movie did and filled in some of the gaps. One of my most treasured possessions. It was a challenge to get my hands on, but it was so worth it!
July 11, 2023
Really cute book i loved the movie so it's nice to see the characters are the same and the goblin king 💙
January 31, 2024
My favorite movie ever. Had to have the novelization. I like that it dived more into the characters thoughts and also Sarah’s family is a little more explained. We don’t really get that in the film.
August 13, 2024
My favourite film of all time. The book isn't exact but was pretty close and I could Envisage parts of the movie when reading.
March 7, 2025
Love this story so very much.
March 30, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5
A magical tale that keeps you engaged and attached to the characters ✨️ 💖
A magical tale that keeps you engaged and attached to the characters ✨️ 💖
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews