The Book of Atrus (Myst, Book 1) [Hardcover]

Rand Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 19, 1997

A prequel to the magical world seen on the screen in MYST, here, listeners learn of Atrus's strange mentor relationship with his father, Gehn, and their godlike ability to create the worlds they write of in books. 2 cassettes.

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the acknowledgements to this first novel in a projected series, Wingrove is thanked by his coauthors, the Miller brothers, "for accomplishing the impossible." Wingrove's achievement certainly is improbable, at least judging from the sorry results of other computer-game-to-novel translations, like the paperback spinoffs of Doom. For with Wingrove's help, the Miller brothers, who created the Myst CD-ROM, have created a rollicking adventure tale full of engaging philosophical contemplations about the interplay between art and science. The authors follow their hero, Atrus, from breech birth (and his mother's resultant death) into his uneasy relationship with Gehn, the father who abandoned him at birth and who now wants to recreate the culture of the D'ni, beings whose writings could conjure?or at least discover?worlds. The narrative avoids the excesses that plagued Wingrove's Chung Kuo series while imparting the passion that the Millers channeled into the Myst CD-ROM. The result is a thrilling tale that will appeal not only to gamers but to all those who enjoy absorbing, fast-paced, well-constructed fantasy. Fifteen two-color illustrations, not seen by PW. Major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This is the first of what will be a series of novels revolving around the popular CD-ROM game Myst. Players of Myst discover a mysteriously deserted island and search for clues to its story. In The Book of Atrus, the frame story for Myst, Gehn comes to claim his long-neglected son Atrus. Gehn intends to train Atrus in the godlike like ways of the D'ni, a vanished race that had the ability to create new worlds by writing about them. Eventually, Atrus and Gehn clash over the fate of a potentially faulty world. Although not fully realized enough to stand on its own, this first effort fleshes out the Myst universe nicely and will be of interest to those acquainted with the game. Be aware, however, that this is not a small audience: over 500,000 copies of the CD-ROM are in print; a sequel and two more novels are contracted. Public libraries may be able to claim a share of that market. For popular fantasy collections.?Edwin B. Burgess, U.S. Army TRALINET Ctr., Fort Monroe, Va.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Random House Value Publishing (August 19, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517175967
• ISBN-13: 978-0517175965
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (198 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,999,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Book!, July 13, 2000

By 

T. Young - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Book of Atrus (Myst, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

I was in love with the mysterious and intruiging computer hit MYST, as many people were. When I picked this book up soon after it came out, I bought it, hoping that it wouldn't be a corny and boring book that was just written by cocky people who had so much success with a great game....nope!

This is the story behind MYST, and it is brilliant! But there is a glitch in the series...not written in order! The first book to really read is MYST: The Book of Ti'Ana, which is actually my favorite one! Ti'Ana tells the story of Atrus's grandparents, Aitrus and Ti'Ana (Anna), who have a son, Gehn, who in turn has Atrus. But this tells the story of Atrus, who is taken from the land that he knows by his angry returning father, Gehn. Brilliant!

Okay, disregard what I said about the order...the order is correct, but I'd still read this one first, just because it intruduces you more into the land D'ni than Ti'Ana...

Don't miss this book! A wonderous read! Enjoy!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent intro to the game, December 16, 2001

By 

B. Duff "nightfox1977" (Coca Cola, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Myst: The Book of Atrus (Hardcover)

When I first played Myst, I got confused with the puzzles and never really got past the 3rd island you travel to. So I gave up on the game. Then Riven came out and RealMyst. Then one day I was walking through (a local store), and saw the entire novel set there. I figured, I loved the game, I wonder how the novels turned out. They're pretty awesome in fact. The way the Book of Atrus starts, I pictured it like a high-budget Hollywood film. I could imagine what all I was reading like it was in a movie.

I suggest anyone who's ever been curious about the games and never bought them, to pick up this book before buying the new RealMyst game. It's a much better intro story to the games than the game was. It'll give you a in depth background and storyline to the games. This book answers pretty much why and how everything came to be how it was. Pick it up! Now! GO! lol

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Imaginative Story Of A Boy and His Power Hungry Father, April 26, 2000

By 

Kevin Yuen (Harbor City, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Atrus (Myst, Book 1) (Mass Market Paperback)

Based on the hot selling computer games, Myst and Riven; This book is about a boy, named Atrus, who lives quite a quiet life with his mother until his father arrives to come take him away and to teach him the ways of D'ni. As days pass on, and Atrus gets more and more experienced in the olden ways, he soon learns of a plot where his father is mearly using him a pawn in his scheme to enslave millions of people and become like a god to them... I really enjoyed this book since it gave me some insight into how the two computer games tied together as well as giving me an in depth look at Atrus. If you like reading stories full of mystical worlds and fantastic details, you'll love Myst: The Book Of Atrus.