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jnnnnn's review against another edition
4.0
As a teenager, I enjoyed this book. Terrible movie, worse author.
cetian's review against another edition
3.0
At the time it did seem epic, to my teen brain and huge ignorance of sci-fi.
amp9312's review against another edition
3.0
To be completely honest, I thought this meaty 1000 pager was pretty darn boring, and that's probably why it took so long to finish. Between intergalactic politics and practically the 're-evolution' of man this book put me to sleep countless times. However, I grit my teeth and tried my damnest to finish it. The story is pretty simple, and alright of you're into hardcore sci-fi. However it is not for anyone who's into fantasy, trust me I learned there's a fine line between the two. Commonly mixed, commonly misconcepted.
If you don't think it's something you could commit to, then don't waste your money.
If you don't think it's something you could commit to, then don't waste your money.
birdmanseven's review against another edition
3.0
Well, that was a journey. Honestly I'd give the first half 4 stars and the second half 2. In the transition it becomes a very different book and doesn't really pull it off. (There are at least 100 pages on banking.)
I think the movie has destroyed this books reputation (Tom Cruise isn't helping either), but if you can divorce yourself from all that and take it on it's own, you are left with compelling characters, good villains and a pretty epic sci-fi tale. It's pulpy, it's too long, but it's also a pretty wild ride.
I dig in a little deeper in this episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-194-battlefield-earth
We cover the movie for the Three Nice Things podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgIp9-cvBRs
I think the movie has destroyed this books reputation (Tom Cruise isn't helping either), but if you can divorce yourself from all that and take it on it's own, you are left with compelling characters, good villains and a pretty epic sci-fi tale. It's pulpy, it's too long, but it's also a pretty wild ride.
I dig in a little deeper in this episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-194-battlefield-earth
We cover the movie for the Three Nice Things podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgIp9-cvBRs
bdplume's review against another edition
5.0
I am glad someone else beat me to this review. Book: amazing. Movie: terrible.
rosenectur's review against another edition
5.0
When I said I wanted to read this book my husband wondered why I'd want anything to do with L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. I told him that I thought Scientology was Science Fiction too. I liked the movie, and I wanted to read the book. This book really has it all, it is a story of the triumph of humanity, it is an action adventure, sci-fi, epic, love story with a reluctant hero who is a real mans-man. You really couldn't ask for this book to deliver more.
arielkirst's review against another edition
4.0
I got this book solely because the audiobook was full cast, with a full score, and sound effects. And it's worth it! The production is excellent!
The book was not bad, not great, very campy.
I felt like it was full of "good guys win at every turn, bad guys get blasted to smithereens". The MC was lauded by everyone at every turn, the bad guy was big, bad, and got his just desserts.
Also it went weirdly from war to banking, with very little preamble?? What?
But worth the listen, even if it is 44 discs long (making it the longest audiobook I've ever listened to -- woo!)
The book was not bad, not great, very campy.
I felt like it was full of "good guys win at every turn, bad guys get blasted to smithereens". The MC was lauded by everyone at every turn, the bad guy was big, bad, and got his just desserts.
Also it went weirdly from war to banking, with very little preamble?? What?
But worth the listen, even if it is 44 discs long (making it the longest audiobook I've ever listened to -- woo!)
obarton's review against another edition
2.0
This book is a real fever dream. It's a funny read if you're looking to see into the mind of Hubbard.
The story itself is packed full of sci-fi tropes and lazy predictable writing.
The story itself is packed full of sci-fi tropes and lazy predictable writing.
bmbrim1138's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0