Creature from the Black Lagoon

Universal Horror Library

by Carl Dreadstone (Pseudonym), Ramsey Campbell

Book

Genres: Horror, Science Fiction, Fiction

194 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published January 1, 1977

About the author

A Pseudonym of Ramsey Campbell

Reviews

[Mikepottz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have visited Wakulla Springs Florida where some of the film was made. Reed is a marine biologist in Brazil for an expedition. Bruno is a German who likes to throw large frogs onto men's backs as they are balls deep. Strange character. The only woman is of course smoking hot. And obviously all the guys lust over her. A strange looking monster is seen in the lagoon so they dump a potent native powder in the lagoon that makes the fish and the creature unconscious. The creature at first touch is warm, rough skin and seems to have two different circulatory systems. One cold blooded and the other warm blooded. Part reptile part mammal. The creature now is given the name Advanced Amphibian. The creature has the head covered with flat scaly plates, webbed claws, a beak, sulphurus breath, worse than a charnel house with the smell of decay and death. AA snaps a spine like a prawn shell and eats the man. AA destroys a helo. Really? AA bites a head off. AA gets a spear gun into his open mouth. AA is scared of piranhas. Really? AA feels comfort and companionship when he captures the beautiful girl. AA jumps on a guy, his eye sickets explode out. More killing, and more killing.

[Joe Mello · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is portrayed as the novelization of the film, and includes photos from the movie, but it is a different story. Names are changed, the plot is different, and most surprisingly, the monster is completely different.

An engaging enough pulp adventure but not the movie’s novelization.

[MekaGojira3k · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only vaguely a Gillman story. The creature featured was radically different. The author was very horny.