- Library Binding: 219 pages
- Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap (8 Sep 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0448439131
- ISBN-13: 978-0448439136
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 12.4 x 1.8 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,978,429 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Introduction by Greg Bear
Preface by Mark Cotta Vaz
The giant prehistoric gorilla King Kong is one of the most recognized images in our culture. So great is the mighty Kong’s hold on the popular imagination that his story–a gripping yarn of man versus nature, coupled with a fantastical update of the Beauty and the Beast legend–has been thrice made into a motion picture (most recently in 2005) and referenced endlessly in every medium, from books to prime-time sitcoms.
Beneath King Kong’s cultural significance, however, is a tense and surprisingly tender story. One cannot help but be frightened by Kong’s uncontrollable fury, be saddened over the giant’s capture, mistreatment, and exploitation by venal showmen, or sympathize with the beast’s ill-fated affection for the down-on-her-luck starlet Ann Darrow.
This Modern Library edition of a true colossus among adventure stories is reprinted from the original 1932 novelization of the movie script, and includes a Preface by Mark Cotta Vaz, the preeminent biographer of Merian C. Cooper, producer of the original 1933 classic film.
From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Preface by Mark Cotta Vaz
The giant prehistoric gorilla King Kong is one of the most recognized images in our culture. So great is the mighty Kong’s hold on the popular imagination that his story–a gripping yarn of man versus nature, coupled with a fantastical update of the Beauty and the Beast legend–has been thrice made into a motion picture (most recently in 2005) and referenced endlessly in every medium, from books to prime-time sitcoms.
Beneath King Kong’s cultural significance, however, is a tense and surprisingly tender story. One cannot help but be frightened by Kong’s uncontrollable fury, be saddened over the giant’s capture, mistreatment, and exploitation by venal showmen, or sympathize with the beast’s ill-fated affection for the down-on-her-luck starlet Ann Darrow.
This Modern Library edition of a true colossus among adventure stories is reprinted from the original 1932 novelization of the movie script, and includes a Preface by Mark Cotta Vaz, the preeminent biographer of Merian C. Cooper, producer of the original 1933 classic film.
From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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7 reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Lost World classic
8 Jan 2006
Format:Library Binding
King Kong was initially conceived as a screenplay by Wallace and Cooper, but Lovelace was commissioned to novelize the screenplay. It was released before the movie came out. It's a fast easy read non-stop action (like a movie). There is nothing particularly literary since it's just a written version of the movie (indeed it serves to reveal how shallow movies can be compared to literature) but the language is priceless 1930s wise guy with lines like "look here" and "tough egg" and "shove off" peppered throughout (and not in a nostalgic way this is the "genuine article"). King Kong is of course part of the "Lost World" genre which started with H. Haggard's "King Solomons Mines, but the story is most influenced by Edgar Burroughs "The Land that Time Forgot" and Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World". Given what a short book it is (3-5 hour read for an average reader) if you liked the movie this is a great afternoon escape, part of the Lost World canon.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Puzzling
1 Sep 2005
Format:Library Binding
"A four-page photo insert including two never-before-seen images from the original movie"? Four whopping pages? And how did they determine that two images are "never-before-seen"? The photos are actually quite common.
A very odd, low-rent hardcover version of the public domain story by a major publisher. There are (and will be) far better versions available in months ahead - PASS on this.
A very odd, low-rent hardcover version of the public domain story by a major publisher. There are (and will be) far better versions available in months ahead - PASS on this.
THE END OF KONG RUNS OUT OF GAS.
23 Mar 2009
Format:Library Binding|Amazon Verified Purchase
Okay,
This story is a classic no doubt. But, I was feeling like it was the classic up until the end. The pace is great from the moment the story begins to the most memorable moments on top of the Empire State Building! My only problem is that there was not more time being spent on keeping the excitement going during this gut-wrenching action when Kong is protecting Ann before the DRAMATIC FALL.
Our fearless hero Driscoll is Awesome in a "Indiana Jones" way of saving Ann from the clutches of Kong. The somewhat possessive and obsessive Denham, really shows why he is the master of manipulation with everyone and everything during the whole story on his quest to have the ultimate prize to display for his movie company. But obviously he has compassion at times (which are few and far between) which makes him more realistic than your typical antagonist or cowardly bad man.
The love and romance that takes place between Driscoll and Ann is warm and touching and quite fun in their attraction to eachother. It reminded me of the great movie "The African Queen". I really felt like I was there with them on this journey all the way through ti' ll we get to the famous and classic scene at the end. It just did not hold much water for me. I actually started to view in my mind the end in the 1976 movie version of the same scene and it was AWESOME and climactic on knowing that Kong was so in touch with his feelings for his blonde beauty that he sacrificed himself with dignity and respect. In the book I did not get enough of that. The surface was only touched when it should have been the jugular!
All in all, it is worth reading and worth owning. But just be prepared for a lack-luster ending in my opinion.
This story is a classic no doubt. But, I was feeling like it was the classic up until the end. The pace is great from the moment the story begins to the most memorable moments on top of the Empire State Building! My only problem is that there was not more time being spent on keeping the excitement going during this gut-wrenching action when Kong is protecting Ann before the DRAMATIC FALL.
Our fearless hero Driscoll is Awesome in a "Indiana Jones" way of saving Ann from the clutches of Kong. The somewhat possessive and obsessive Denham, really shows why he is the master of manipulation with everyone and everything during the whole story on his quest to have the ultimate prize to display for his movie company. But obviously he has compassion at times (which are few and far between) which makes him more realistic than your typical antagonist or cowardly bad man.
The love and romance that takes place between Driscoll and Ann is warm and touching and quite fun in their attraction to eachother. It reminded me of the great movie "The African Queen". I really felt like I was there with them on this journey all the way through ti' ll we get to the famous and classic scene at the end. It just did not hold much water for me. I actually started to view in my mind the end in the 1976 movie version of the same scene and it was AWESOME and climactic on knowing that Kong was so in touch with his feelings for his blonde beauty that he sacrificed himself with dignity and respect. In the book I did not get enough of that. The surface was only touched when it should have been the jugular!
All in all, it is worth reading and worth owning. But just be prepared for a lack-luster ending in my opinion.
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