As I was reading this classic, I kept thinking how unfortunate it is that people don’t talk like this anymore because the language is really beautiful. Anyway, the story follows a narrator as Martian’s invade earth on ships that look like flying saucers with tentacles as legs so they can wander around our planet. They use humans a fuel, taking them into their ships and eventually killing them. Their goal is to turn Earth in Mars, but humans of course fight back. Eventually, this invasion is stopped by the very bacteria that is prevalent on our planet. Apparently the Martians didn’t think about that.
I loved the way this was written. It’s from one man’s perspective, but also gives the tale of the world at large. It feels intimate, other-worldly, and all encompassing at the same time. This is what I expect from an alien invasion story. Its terrifying and scientific and told with language that feels personal and epic, side by side. And its very British since the book takes place in England.
This material has been adapted several times. From the radio show that captivated thousands to a 1953 film adaptation directed by Byron Haskin and the 2005 film directed by Stephen Spielberg. I love both versions, and no, I’m not going to discuss the Amazon Prime adaptation at all because it isn’t worth mentioning.
The Stephen Spielberg adaptation starring Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins, and Dakota Fanning is one of Spielberg’s best and most underrated films. It sets the film on the East Coast of the United States as a struggling divorced father (Cruise) tries to keep his kids alive during the invasion. The effects are superb and it somehow manages to capture both the deeply personal aspects of the story and larger world view of what is happening, much like the book. Reading this book made me love the Spielberg adaptation even more for Spielberg obviously understood the source material. He modernized it in such a way that the story feels new while still adhering to the material in an honest way.
The 1953 version is part of the Criterion Collection and has some cool extras on it. If you’re going to check out this version, make sure its the restored Criterion version.
I recommend reading this book if for no other reason than it will allow you to enjoy the adaptations of it even more. Well, except the Prime version. Avoid that one at all costs.
4 out of 5 stars.
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Becky Tyler Art and Photography 
As I was reading this classic, I kept thinking how unfortunate it is that people don’t talk like this anymore because the language is really beautiful. Anyway, the story follows a narrator as Martian’s invade earth on ships that look like flying saucers with tentacles as legs so they can wander around our planet. They use humans a fuel, taking them into their ships and eventually killing them. Their goal is to turn Earth in Mars, but humans of course fight back. Eventually, this invasion is stopped by the very bacteria that is prevalent on our planet. Apparently the Martians didn’t think about that.
I loved the way this was written. It’s from one man’s perspective, but also gives the tale of the world at large. It feels intimate, other-worldly, and all encompassing at the same time. This is what I expect from an alien invasion story. Its terrifying and scientific and told with language that feels personal and epic, side by side. And its very British since the book takes place in England.
This material has been adapted several times. From the radio show that captivated thousands to a 1953 film adaptation directed by Byron Haskin and the 2005 film directed by Stephen Spielberg. I love both versions, and no, I’m not going to discuss the Amazon Prime adaptation at all because it isn’t worth mentioning.
The Stephen Spielberg adaptation starring Tom Cruise, Tim Robbins, and Dakota Fanning is one of Spielberg’s best and most underrated films. It sets the film on the East Coast of the United States as a struggling divorced father (Cruise) tries to keep his kids alive during the invasion. The effects are superb and it somehow manages to capture both the deeply personal aspects of the story and larger world view of what is happening, much like the book. Reading this book made me love the Spielberg adaptation even more for Spielberg obviously understood the source material. He modernized it in such a way that the story feels new while still adhering to the material in an honest way.
The 1953 version is part of the Criterion Collection and has some cool extras on it. If you’re going to check out this version, make sure its the restored Criterion version.
I recommend reading this book if for no other reason than it will allow you to enjoy the adaptations of it even more. Well, except the Prime version. Avoid that one at all costs.
4 out of 5 stars.
Discover more from Becky Tyler Art and Photography
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
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