Myst: The Book of Atrus (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "GEHN'S BOOTPRINTS LAY HEAVY AROUND the tiny pool, the lush, well-tended green churned to mud..." (more)
Key Phrases: meeting hut, descriptive book, ink pot, Linking Book, Age Five, Thirty-seventh Age (more...)

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.

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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 287 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Books; 1st edition (October 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786861592
• ISBN-13: 978-0786861590
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (196 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #52,643 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 1 in The Myst Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-written fantasy, May 29, 2000

By	Sabrina Hepburn (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

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

Although I expect most readers of the Myst books have probably played the computer games, this fantasy series deserves a reading of its own right. Having played the game I was curious about the conception of the storyline, and I picked this up as a light read, not expecting to be particularly impressed. I was, however, both by the elegant writing style and by a depth of insight going beyond most books I've found of the fantasy/science fiction genre. It is not so plot-driven as to be empty of many moments of reflection.

This book is fantasy/sci-fi for the ecologist or environmentalist. Its underlying theme is the need for knowledge and balance, and the great care that must be taken when tampering with worlds and peoples. While Gehn, Atrus' father, sees his role in opening up or creating worlds from an entirely exploitative perspective, Atrus recognizes the need for care, understanding and stewardship, and these contradictory goals become the central conflict of the plot. Those with a background in science will find Atrus' search for an understanding of the D'ni characters, which are the ultimate causes of the characteristics of each world, particularly resonant, and will understand his continual surprise when their results are often not exactly what he anticipates. The connections inherent in each world cause small changes to have indirect and unexpected effects, and his struggles to understand the structure of his worlds are much like those of an ecologist, the only difference being that he can manipulate the rules through writing. However, in case I have made this novel somehow seem too cerebral, I would like to conclude by saying simply that I think this could be an enjoyable read for anyone, particulary those who like fantasy, or who enjoy being brought into strange and fascinating worlds through engaging language.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Book!, July 14, 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!

4 of 4 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)

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