Host by Stephenie Meyer (Hardcover: May publication)
Stephenie Meyer
HOST
The author of the best selling Twilight series, Meyer, turns her pen to science fiction in what turns out to be a work that will haunt the reader well beyond the final page. I say “turns out to be” because the first fifty pages had my head spinning. The reader is expected to know much more about the story than is possible, and is left filling in blanks that take many pages to finally be explained.
The premise is that there are creatures--souls--being attached to humans, and taking them over. Lock, stock, and barrel: emotions, actions, life. The human body is nothing but a host, hence the title.
It turns out to be more complicated than that. Surprise. Most hosts readily give in to the implant surgery (a slice in the back of the neck), but not everyone. The earth is now populated by the transplanted souls, yet a few brave rebel humans remain (hiding in caves in Arizona).
There are some silly missteps: the names of other planets, the flowery dialogue between existing souls. The conceit of the book can be difficult to understand, especially early on.
But Host is rich, vivid, intricate, and yet simple. On many levels it’s a master work. It is Stephenie Meyer, after all. But you may wish your arm chair or mattress came with a seatbelt. It’s a jarring, dark world we are led into -- quite literally. One where it’s often difficult to know whom to root for, and ultimately whom to love or hate. But love and hate are the focus of the story--it is ultimately about emotions and what makes up the human experience. That’s life--and after all, life is what Meyer evokes so well.
HOST
The author of the best selling Twilight series, Meyer, turns her pen to science fiction in what turns out to be a work that will haunt the reader well beyond the final page. I say “turns out to be” because the first fifty pages had my head spinning. The reader is expected to know much more about the story than is possible, and is left filling in blanks that take many pages to finally be explained.
The premise is that there are creatures--souls--being attached to humans, and taking them over. Lock, stock, and barrel: emotions, actions, life. The human body is nothing but a host, hence the title.
It turns out to be more complicated than that. Surprise. Most hosts readily give in to the implant surgery (a slice in the back of the neck), but not everyone. The earth is now populated by the transplanted souls, yet a few brave rebel humans remain (hiding in caves in Arizona).
There are some silly missteps: the names of other planets, the flowery dialogue between existing souls. The conceit of the book can be difficult to understand, especially early on.
But Host is rich, vivid, intricate, and yet simple. On many levels it’s a master work. It is Stephenie Meyer, after all. But you may wish your arm chair or mattress came with a seatbelt. It’s a jarring, dark world we are led into -- quite literally. One where it’s often difficult to know whom to root for, and ultimately whom to love or hate. But love and hate are the focus of the story--it is ultimately about emotions and what makes up the human experience. That’s life--and after all, life is what Meyer evokes so well.
posted by Ridley at 9:56 AM
5 Comments:
Hey Ridley. This book sounds interesting and I will check it out. Question - Are we ever going to see another Boldt/Mattews novel? Please say 'yes', I miss them badly.
Carol
3/3/08
Yes. 2 short stories with Boldt this year, and then hopefully a novel in 2010
Look for Killer View this summer, a Walt Fleming novel. One of my favorites.
R
This sounds SO cool. I can't wait! I have read all of her other books. This is one that I need to pick up when it comes out. I pre-ordered it, just like I do with all of your books, all James Patterson books, and Stephen King books (when new ones are actually released).
Hi!
Many of the students and staff here are huge fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Series. The Harding students will be very interested to hear that you like reading her books too.
Ms A
I just can't get into her books. I've tried.I always get the feeling I've read it before.
The Host sounds like the movie Puppet Masters starring Donald Sutherland.
Strange aliens land in the Midwest, taking over people's minds in order to spread their dominion. A government agency must stop the the aliens before the aliens take over.
How do the aliens take over? They attach to your back and go into your neck where they take over your mind.
Don't rush out and rent it, It's nothing more than a cheesy B grade sci-fi movie. But they can also be fun like The Hidden starring Kyle MacLachlan.Same premise, but they get into your body and use it up till they must leave and go to another.
What's one of your favorite cheesy sci-fi movies Ridley? Or as one might say, your guilty pleasure.
And the rest of you posters/bloggers.
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