Majestic

Wow...coming off of Communion, I was prepared to intensely dislike anything alien related by Strieber, but I had my dad's old copy so I gave it a whirl. There could not possibly be more daylight between these two books. The difference made between framing an developing his ideas as fiction versus his own (probably riddled with mental illness) 'autobiographical' recollections is staggering. All of this taking into account that Strieber undoubtedly *believes* he's basing this fiction on fact.
Whereas Communion was plodding and practically unreadable, Majestic is reasonably paced, told from multiple viewpoints, and in a variety of styles (some of it epistolary) and pretty engaging. Majestic is ostensibly the recollections of man, relayed to show more a reporter, of the early days of the United States involvement with alien visitation, abduction, and focused primarily on events surrounding Roswell along with the governments plans to investigate, cover up, and defend against these 'threats'. The underlying premise being, the threat is really just us, and our choices as society and species are what indicate we're not worthy and ready to be part of something greater, but that others are going to do their best to help us be ready someday. In Strieber's, 'Beyond fear, there is another world,' I find shades of Murakami's 'Unclose your mind. You are not a prisoner. You are a bird in the sky, searching for dreams.'
Strieber is at his best here when he's doing dialogue or describing action. A few of the more introspective and psychedelic scenes drag a little, but the epistolary bits are spot on.
I was also surprised by the surprisingly sensitively handled and aware (despite some expected for the time light misogyny) he is in discussing homosexuality, trans identities, the long term harm caused by being closeted, and the dangers of not being able to live as one's true self. For the time, and from as far as I'm aware a straight, upper middle class, cis white older man who I don't *think* has publicly taken any stances on the issue it was a pleasant shock.
I'm glad I took the time to read this, despite my initial reservations. show less

Over-promises, under-delivers. Strieber tells a pedestrian tale of wonder - of visitors from the stars and the military's reaction to it. The novel has prose interspersed with military documents, transcripts and the like - which were interesting - and many what-do-we-do-next moments that, while believable, were not terribly exciting.

In the Author's note in the beginning, Strieber talks of conversations in 1988 with an uncle, a colonel, who has alien-related information for him, the talk spurred by Strieber's then-recent book: "Communion". He writes: "My uncle asked me if I've ever heard of the Roswell Incident. I told him I had, but only vaguely.

Pardon me? He wrote a 300+ page book on aliens, has had 2-3 years in between his New York show more abduction and this moment and.... "only vaguely"?

If you're looking for what this book was trying to deliver, try watching Spielberg's "Taken". If you found parts of this book scary, try watching "Paranormal Activity". show less

I first became interested in Whitley Strieber from his work with Art Bell. I have had an interest in the Roswell incident for a much longer period. I find Strieber's credibility to be lacking. Of course Majestic is fiction, with actual documents spread within. I believe Strieber has an honest curiosity into the subjects he writes about; but as selling some of his obviously fictionized writings as non-fiction, he has turned many away. It's like a UFOlogist who is found to be making hoax pictures--they should be punished and excommunicated. Now, that being said, and knowing what Strieber is, I still enjoy his writings--plan to get his 2012. Majestic here starts out well. We who know the Roswell case well will enjoy the trip back. Towards show more the end, very much like UFOs themselves, things become a bit abstract. I felt a bit let down, yet the historicity Strieber presents here is worth the trip. You can still catch Strieber occasionally on our beloved Coast to Coast AM. show less

The author relates true facts and documents about the alien landing/sighting in Roswell in the '40's. He also interviews one of the head people in charge of keeping everything a secret and laces some with fiction.

Interesting story; relates to most other novels in encounter genre.

Thriller

Crap