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Ghostbusters: Novel (Coronet Books)

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Larry Milne's adaptation of the "Ghostbusters" screenplay into novel form is a fairly straightforward retelling of the popular movie, recounting the film scene-by-scene and lifting dialogue straight from the script onto the page. This is in no way a bad thing; after all, that's the entire *point* of a novelization, but readers looking for some deeper insight into characterization or plot probably won't find it here.

A trio of doctors: obnoxious Peter Venkman, cheerful Raymond Stantz and cerebral Egon Spengler are thrown out of Columbia University thanks to their unorthodox research into the paranormal. Effectively making up the mouth, the heart and the brains of their little group, together they turn an old fire station into their headquarters and advertise themselves as Ghostbusters. Promising to rid New York residents of any ghosts or spirits that are lingering in their homes, the Ghostbusters use a hodgepodge of homemade equipment to trap the spooks in a containment tank, and find that business is booming. Supernatural creatures are popping up all over the city, and soon the three men (along with a fourth member Winston Zeddemore) are celebrities.

Their infamy catches the attention of Dana Barrett, a beautiful musician who is having ghost problems of her own. After her refrigerator opens out into a hellish landscape she rushes to the Ghostbusters for help, who find that her apartment block is the epicenter of all the bizarre things happening throughout the city. Hounded by a smarmy government official and swamped by the increasing demand for their services, the Ghostbusters come to the conclusion that something demonic is brewing in New York and that only they can stop it.

If you've seen the film (and who hasn't?) then the book will hold no surprises. Its most interesting trait is the fact that it's told in present tense throughout, which gives its narrative tone an immediacy that makes it seem as if someone is recounting the film directly to you. The story races along at a quick pace; almost too quick considering that the ending comes as a bit anti-climactic, with Gozer and the Stay-Puft Marshmellow Man dispatched of in only a few pages.

Best suited toward collectors or long-time fans of the movie, the book also comes complete with a cast list and short biographies on the cast and crew. Be careful not to confuse it with another novelization of the same film by Richard Mueller, which is significantly more fleshed out and altogether superior to this one. This is more of a collection of quotes contained within the bare bones of the story, but still worth a look for the hardcore fans.