Customer Reviews

Alfred Bester's the Stars My Destination. Vol 1: The Graphic Story Adaptation. Authorized Adaptation of Novel Orig Pub by Putnam/Berkley Books

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first found the graphic adaptation of Alfred Bester's "The Stars, My Destination" in the late seventies in a second-hand bookstore in Naples, Florida... I sat on the floor and read it from cover to cover, paid .50 for it and started my quest to find Vol 2... only to find it had never been printed... This was one of the first (maybe THE first) graphic novels, a cross between comic a book and a novel, with brightly colored panels but complex plot lines and dialog... and no one has come close to its achievement... Gully's single minded drive towards his fate, coupled with his total confusion about who and what he was, along with his complete ignorance of his potential inspired me to strive beyond my imagined limitations... I identified with his suprise at accomplishing acts others said were impossible... and his ability to immediately take advantage of these discoveries... his escape from the frypan to the fire... a hero for all time, Gully is "The Man"... when the movie is made, I will watch it with my son, as he is another Gully, and maybe he will find the same desire to reach beyond this to what is unimagined but more than possible... ps. I forgave my ex for cheating on me, for wrecking the cars, for getting rid of my dog, but she can burn in hell for tearing up the only copy of this book I have ever seen.

This presentation of Bester's classic novel lays out the look and feel of the movie which MUST be. I have inquired about Volume 2 and was told that it was never published. If the master pages are out there... somone, PLEASE publish it!

This is simply the finest Sci-Fi book ever written. I agree there may be better authors, depending on choice (Heinlein, Niven, Asimov, etc.), but this book is the pinnacle of achievement.
My poor wife has been subjected to my nerdy sci-fi ways, but I made a convert out of her when I read this book aloud. It reads like poetry, sounds like war, looks like armageddon.

And for anyone who thinks this is your typical book: think again. Gully Foyle is one man you NEVER want to cross.

Iread the novel first and then the graphic novel, in the early 70's. The graphic novel was written and drawn by the Pitt brothers ( from Australia , I believe) . The Pitt brothers had a Russ Manning visual style. The story itself is timeless , Edmond Dantes in outer space. I don't understand why this graphic novel got out of print. copyright,ownership squabbles. The modern day equivalent of Gully Foyle is John Riddick, in the film Pitch Black.

To anyone who has ever read a truely fascinating work of fiction, and still can recall all the emotions which that novel stirred deep within their soul, thenthey are the lucky few who know how much I enjoyed this book. I could literally not put it down and I was completely enveloped in every aspect of the novel. It fascinated me how compelled Gully was to fulfill his destiny, no matter what the odds. I would reccomend this book to anyone who has even the slightest interest in science-fiction. For those of you who are not sci-fi fans, this book could change your mind in an instant. I can honestly say that this book is one of the best books I've ever read in all my life, and I am an avid reader. Believe me, if you read only one book ever again, make it this one. You will realize things about yourself that you never even considered, and also walk away being able to say that you read one of the greatest sci-fi books of all time.

One of the finest novels of any genre I have read, The_Stars_My_Destination, or Tiger,_Tiger! as it was originally titled, is the best single work of science fiction master Alfred Bester, author of many short stories I have also been fortunate enough to enjoy. Fans of the comic book works Batman:_The_Dark_Knight_Returns by Frank Miller, and the legendary Watchmen by Alan Moore will delight in this most twisted, vitriolic, and gut crushing revenge quest of the novel's protagonist Gully Foyle, described by Bester early in the book as a stereotypical man transformed into an "infernal machine", with (to him) good reason. This novel is the culmination, in my opinion, of all the other shining moments in Bester's career, which singly are not to be underestimated, incorporating Bester's gathered insights from his numerous fields of study. Brilliantly written and consistently captivating, it's a novel that will make you jump in your seat, and a must for the science fiction afficionado and enthusiasts of great novels of all genres alike.

Can anyone suggest where to find a copy? Neither Amazon nor Harvest Books have been able to find a copy anywhere. This is one of my favorite titles from my childhood. If you ever have opportunity to buy a copy do so, and don't think twice.

"Gully Foyle is my name Terra is my nation Space is my dwelling place The stars my destination"

This book is a completely dazzing display of just how good one can write. This is the absolubt best science fiction book I have ever had the honor to read. The explicit detail that Alfred Bester uses to describe what our future would be like with 'jaunting' was absoubtly astonishing, and to top that fact- it was written in 1958. It has certainly got its place set in the history of science fiction classics. If there is ever one book you would read.. let it be this one.