The Dig

This book was obviously written as the companion for what I thought at first was a movie, but it turns out it was for a computer game.. For a Foster novel, its amazingly shallow. There is absolutely no depth to the characthers at all. The plot relies on characters doing amazingly stupid things, and blundering around via sheer luck. As a companion to a computer game, where choices are often binary and sometimes nonsensical, it makes a bit more sense, but that just doesn't work as a novel. When I thought the book was based on a movie (the Lucasfilm tie in on the cover) all I could think of was 'this is worse than Armageddon!'.

With the exception of the ending (I felt there wasn't an adequate wrap up) I feel this is one of the best space stories I've ever read. Great plot, fraught with unexpected twists and threats, and an interesting cast of characters.
The story flowed well and kept me glued to the pages. A very well done tale - not too much exposition or descriptions, nor too much time spent in the protagonist's head, which I find is a major failing with most novels.
There is a paucity of space novels these days, so Foster's adventure novel is like a breath of fresh air. I will be looking for more of his writing.

It took 22 books to get to a 5 but on the 23rd of 2020, I finally read one. Note that you can read my review system on my page.

Alan Dean Foster has written an entertaining page-turner, one that I couldn't put down. It probably really ranks a 4.5 to 4.75 but it is the first book this year that really captured me so I am rounding up. This one was entertaining, fun, all the way to the fourth dimension.

I recommend it.

I've never played the video game from 1995 associated with this book, but it sounds like fun. I might see if I can get a retro copy somewhere. I only read the book because it was Alan Dean Foster. It was a relatively fast read, descriptive action, to the point. On a mission to prevent an asteroid hitting earth, the adventurers are whisked away to a strange land where they must not only find a way home, but survive the attempt. They meet various problems along the way. Rather standard, but not bad for a few hours escapism if you like adventure stories.

I don't envy Foster's task of writing a novel for a game where you spend most of your time walking around and solving puzzles of one sort or another. Unlike Myst, there is a plotline that plays out through the game, so at least he didn't have to work nearly from scratch.

The result, unfortunately, is not great. As an 11-year-old, I recall being very disappointed with the ways the book diverged from the game, particularly in details that would have made more sense being kept constant. Revisiting it, I noticed many more shortcomings. In choosing his one path out of all the dialog a user could initiate during the game, he's left out most of the best-- as dialog, and as a source of character development.

The natural direction of expansion is show more of the characters themselves, through dialog and thoughts. Unfortunately, the dialog he writes is a step down in quality from what appears in the game, and through them he makes changes to the characters' personalities, most of all the female reporter. While the game followed a single character, he didn't take the opportunity to flesh out the details of what happened to the secondary characters when separated. Moreover, other than short quips, he never delves into the minds of the characters, and manages to flatten them to be more two-dimensional than in the computer game.

The worst part is his treatment of the planet's life-forms, which is one of the best, most tantalizing mysteries of the game. He has them observing and commenting on the humans from their arrival, leaving us little to wonder about.

The writing in general is atrocious, though not bad enough to be kitschy-good. I imagine it would be all the worse if you haven't played the game and at least had the visual experience, as his description of the lush, beautiful surroundings is very sparse. This book is a nice piece of nostalgia to have around, but honestly, the player's guide is a more enjoyable read. It's far better to play the game, and if you can't, just don't bother with the book.

(Q) show less

It's been a while since I'd played the game so I didn't remember too much of the story and this book is nice retelling. I think it was funny, an interesting story and only a tad boring. Felt like a 90s Sci-Fi, not that I've read many Sci-Fi's.
Definitely want to read more from Foster.

I found this audio book "The Dig" on you tube and I enjoyed listening to it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJmH3ve4hfk
I did a little research on it and apparently it was written as a companion to a computer game from 1995.
Never played the game, but now that I've experienced the book, I wish I could.

It kind of reminded me of a journey through the old MAC game Myst and a Saturday Sci-fi popcorn movie
from the same era. I enjoyed it. It's not deep, just fun. I wish is was a movie too.