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carnbostrikesagain's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The concept of the body snatchers is iconic but the Pod People and their invasion is conveyed much better in the following film adaptations.
This book, like the pod people is rather cold. The characters are alright, but it falls short when the human spirit and the power of human emotion are central concepts and the characters are flat. The men are stoic and smart. One woman is hysterical and the other doesn't really do anything.
when Becky comes up with the plan to escape the body snatchers by using their perception of her as a weak woman to surprise attack them I was surprised but also so happy cause she was doing something, the author allowed her to be a character for a brief second. But this is literally all she does in this book apart from be far too into Miles and just accept his weird ass behaviour. Like he kidnaps her during the night and she wakes up half way through and goes 'oh my god are we gonna fuck?' And seems real happy about it. It's weird.
Glad this book started the trend though. Without it we'd have no movie adaptations which really explore the insidious and evil of the body snatchers much more than this book.
The ending is so abrupt btw too.
the aliens (who by all accounts are winning) just sort of leave after their seed pods are burnt to a crisp. Idk why they didn't just grow more? Also they'd started expanding out earlier so the pods were already on their way outside of town to replace people. Idk it was weird.
This book, like the pod people is rather cold. The characters are alright, but it falls short when the human spirit and the power of human emotion are central concepts and the characters are flat. The men are stoic and smart. One woman is hysterical and the other doesn't really do anything.
Glad this book started the trend though. Without it we'd have no movie adaptations which really explore the insidious and evil of the body snatchers much more than this book.
The ending is so abrupt btw too.
mime_in_a_box's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
sheacb's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
bbboeken's review against another edition
3.0
***1/2
I couldn't give four stars because the content and --especially-- the behaviour are really dated. Nonetheless: entertaining read. I'd like to see the movies again now.
I couldn't give four stars because the content and --especially-- the behaviour are really dated. Nonetheless: entertaining read. I'd like to see the movies again now.
woolfen's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars.
Despite the not so high rating, this is a genre-defining piece of work, and has shaped lots of similar stories, tropes and other sci-fi works. Whilst it is about as subtle as a thrown brick, it does convey quite an interesting and valid concern of certain political communities and the role of the individual. Whilst uncritical; the 1950s America approaching the height of the Cold War was not known for its nuance and is an interesting insight into citizens perceptions.
In the book, there's a lot of rushing back and forth, lots of to-ing and fro-ing but the tension is well sustained as it slowly ramps up and there were lots of genuinely well written passages which sustain this tension and draw you in.
Despite the not so high rating, this is a genre-defining piece of work, and has shaped lots of similar stories, tropes and other sci-fi works. Whilst it is about as subtle as a thrown brick, it does convey quite an interesting and valid concern of certain political communities and the role of the individual. Whilst uncritical; the 1950s America approaching the height of the Cold War was not known for its nuance and is an interesting insight into citizens perceptions.
In the book, there's a lot of rushing back and forth, lots of to-ing and fro-ing but the tension is well sustained as it slowly ramps up and there were lots of genuinely well written passages which sustain this tension and draw you in.
amy_da1sy's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve not read a load of scifi books but this is one of the best ones I’ve read so far. It’s very obviously if it’s time with the character tropes but I think it’s still very good and well written. Becky and miles were fairly likeable characters which made reading it a lot better.
caz_the_calzone's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
ananaga's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75