Top Gun

by Mike Cogan

Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a Navy F-14 pilot, finds that his impulsiveness leads to resentment among both students and instructors at Top Gun, the Navy's aerial combat school, and only his love for astro-physicist Charlotte Blackwood keeps him going.

Genres: Fiction, Drama, Media Tie In, Adventure, Action

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Pseudonym of Eileen Lottman, who writes science fiction under that name.

Reviews

[amélie ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

maverick lieutenant pete mitchell bi icon

[Snow]

I feel the need, the need for speed.

(this quote isn't actually in the book, but I needed to start the review off an iconic Top Gun quote lmao)

First of all, I cannot believe nobody here has written a legitimate in-depth review of this book before, so I'm going to have to do it myself. I don't think anyone's going to read this, but I hope my efforts are worth it for any Top Gun fans (or not) out there who is deciding whether or not to read this book (or have read this book and just wanted to read some thoughts from someone else). Disclaimer: this review is going to feature lots of spoilers for the film, and since I assume most people reading this will probably already have seen Top Gun, I'm not going to be using spoiler tags, but if you haven't, please consider yourself warned! :D



This is a novelization based on the screenplay of the 1986 film Top Gun. It features our beloved fighter pilots, but in book form! I have not actually seen the original screenplay and I'm not sure how different it is to the film, but I will be comparing the novel to the film a lot (I know that the book has to make changes to avoid being a complete scene-for-scene retelling, but with the film poster as its cover, it is inevitable that I make these comparisons). Before reading this, I expected the novel to be quite similar to the film, with maybe a few changes and more depth into what the characters were thinking and feeling during iconic moments, but it didn't exactly turn out that way. The plot and main storyline is still the same, but they made so many adjustments to the details of each scene that a lot of the dialogues just seemed out of character (based on their movie counterparts). For example, they changed it to Goose doing most of the talking during the "interrupting Charlie I was inverted" sequence, which doesn't make a lot of sense, considering Maverick is supposed to be the arrogant one and Goose is usually just his supportive best friend. They also made a lot of inconsequential changes (like changing Maverick's father's name from Duke to Rick) that I just do not understand the reasoning behind (what could possibly be the benefit of this? it just makes the book slightly more detached to the film, which I'm not sure is their objective).

At first I thought I could excuse it if the original script did not contain the scenes that the book left out (or other changes in details that I noticed), but this book also includes scenes that I am pretty sure were not in the original screenplay (Mav and Charlie's sex scene was added upon test audience request, so it was 100% a new thing, yet it is included in this novel). Based on this, we could assume that the novel still somewhat took inspiration from the film and not just the screenplay, so it is also concerning that they decided to leave out a lot of crucial scenes, which includes a heart-to-heart scene between Mav and Goose (this scene was an absolute punch to the gut upon rewatch knowing Goose's fate, and Mav saying that Goose was the only family he's got makes Goose's death much more depressing. It is also important to have Mav make a promise to Goose that he didn't end up keeping, thus giving him extreme guilt later on), and many of Ice's warnings to Mav that he was being too reckless. These scenes are integral to Maverick's character growth and his journey to maturity, and I can't figure out why they decided to leave them out of this novel.

Iceman's character plays just as an important part in Mav's character development as Goose and Charlie, so removing most of their important interactions doesn't really benefit the story (still cannot believe there is no you're dangerous bite chomp scene). Considering this book was published in 1986, the same year the movie was released, they couldn't have done this to tone down the homoeroticism (people didn't talk about that back then), so what exactly was the reason? I also thought the scene where Ice tried to offer Mav comfort (but failing miserably) was a lot less sincere with the way they altered the dialogue (but it could also have something to do with Val Kilmer's amazing performance) and changed it so that they weren't alone in the locker room. The contrast of their relationship before and after Goose's death is a big indicator of Maverick's growth and his learning to be more of a team player, so I was disappointed to see all the changes done to that part of the story.



I have pretty much the same complaints about Maverick and Charlie's relationship as I do for the film, which is basically the weird power dynamic (and how Mav FOLLOWED HER INTO THE BATHROOM????), and the fact that Charlie acknowledges that she has institutional authority over Maverick, yet continues to pursue a relationship with him. I like Charlie as a character on her own, because we don't often get to see high ranked female military officers in the 80s, but I just think that their relationship is overall, not a very healthy one.

On a more positive note, I liked the airport bar scene with Charlie in this book a lot more than in the film. Charlie does a significantly better job at comforting Mav here than in the movie. I've always disliked how everyone treated Maverick and his grieving after he just lost his best friend, the closest person to him, so seeing an improved version of a scene that I disliked in the film was really cool. I also love how this book chose Stand By Me as the song playing while Maverick was grieving Goose (it broke my heart my gosh). Another tiny detail I liked, is how they gave a line ("of all the animals in the ocean, which one's the baddest?") that was originally supposed to be spoken by Bradley, whose actors (twins) refused to say, to Viper's son. That was really cute.

I also enjoyed some of the extra scenes not in the film, including goose riding on the back of Mav's motorbike, a icemav workout scene, Mav's childhood memories of his father, Viper's scene with his kid, and the interaction where Mav asks Ice to do the flyby with him (I've always wondered how in the world Mav convinced Iceman "play by the rules" Kazansky to buzz the tower with him, and even though it's not as climatic as I expected, it was still very adorable<3). It's also quite funny seeing all of Maverick's detailed description of Ice (a too-handsome yellow haired smoothie??? a super specimen of tall, blond muscle???? who does he think he's fooling?????) and their intense staring throughout the entire book (boys, please, pay attention in class. How did you guys even graduate, and top of the class too?). #they are not beating the allegations



These are all mainly criticism when compared to the film, and since the main storyline stays the same, it's basically about the journey of an arrogant naval aviator, through his best friend's death, learns to mature and play by the rules when necessary. In the end, I think that film works better as the medium for the story they wanted to tell, and I'm glad that is what they chose. The novel is written in third person omniscient (limited omniscient?) point of view, and I usually don't really notice if it's done well, but in this book, it jumps around characters a lot, which is a tiny bit confusing for me at first, but I still got used to it pretty quickly. I thought this was quite an easy read for me and the writing was good enough that I had no trouble just breezing through the entire thing. I liked the way the book describes the scenes and action pieces, and many of the character's inner thoughts were interesting to read as well.

In conclusion, while this novel had its moments, it doesn't exactly add too much to the film and franchise in general. However, if you're an obsessive Top Gun fan like me, this could potentially be an enjoyable read for you, and if you're looking to kill time and craving some extra content, you could consider giving it a read if you feel like it.

[Greendaze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, reading about dogfights isn't nearly as fun as watching them. Only recommended for Top Gun fans who thought the movie was too homoerotic.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

2023 Review 65. Top Gun by Mike Cogan.

Page Count : 192

This is the 2nd time I've read this book since receiving it last Christmas.

I love Top Gun and Top Gun Maverick so this book is right up my street.

The story has just enough differences to the film that this book is a fantastic read.

I will always love this book and decided as it was a short book, that I would spend a few days rereading it.

If you are a fan of Top Gun, then I recommend this book to you.

5*
*****

[Paxton Holley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good adaptation of the movie. Doesn’t add too much to the story but it’s a fun read.

[Dave Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, I have always loved the movie tie ins because they have more in them than the movie does.

[Syd Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I have to love this. When I was learning to fly, I watched Top Gun before going to my lesson. It revved me up for the danger zone. :-)

[Adrian H · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very bad

[Faisal Sultan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I can recite the entire script of this movie by heart - I can in fact mark this as “Read.”

Can i bust the tower now?

[Tess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eeeeeh. It's okay. The writing's simple and bland and the story doesn't add much that wasn't already in the movie. Only recommendable for hardcore Top Gun fans (which I am, haha).

[Jayden Barrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top gun is a really good book with the main character named Maverick. Maverick has a best friend named Goose, they are in the Air Force and Goose is Maverick's copilot. It's a love story but also a story where Maverick is trying to prove a point that he was just as wild and as good a pilot as his dad. He has to overcome the loss of his best friend who died while getting ejected out of the plane with him. The book is about not giving up and proving to yourself that you can accomplish a lot if you try hard enough. He has to to persevere and learn from mistakes. It's also about love, honor and brotherhood.
This book is like the book Unbroken where they both go through very difficult challenges to try to succeed and overcome those challenges. They both have to suffer something dramatic but still have to find a way to overcome it and move on in life.

[Lindsey Beshear · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit, the plane talk confused the HELL out of me. Very good, though, definitely gives you more insight on Maverick as a character. It also isolates him a bit more from the other guys compared to the movie, with Goose and Charlie being the majority of his conversation throughout, and shows why he might’ve been disliked. Only bad thing is very little Ice. Where is Ice. The people want Ice.

[Jenna D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprisingly bland for a book about jet fighter pilots.

[Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wholly biased because I'm a huge top gun fan.

[Bob Thunder · Rating 3 out of 5]

great balls of fire

[aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

i had a great time! like it’s mostly dialogue from the movie as expected but i really enjoyed getting the little things we didn’t get in the movie and i just love these characters so

[jason anakin · Rating 3 out of 5]

you will never be matthew stover, mike cogan

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book, in my opinion, makes Goose/Mav/Carole AND Ice/Mav canon.

[Carina . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take My Breath Away.

[Victor Orozco · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, this was a difficult book to obtain. I remember from another film that said print is dead, yet lo and behold they re-released the novelization of that film. Sadly, I cannot say the same for this film. But what's the sudden urge to find an almost forty-year-old novelization? Because it's Top Gun and that is all there is to say about it? Also, the fact that it was the best movie of 1986, and its sequel became the best movie of 2022. This deserved to be read.

1986. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is a US Naval Aviator, historically regarded as the best pilot in the US military and after a skillful maneuver against a Soviet pilot he's been sent to train at the US Navy's premiere flight school, Top Gun. Alongside his co-pilot Nick "Goose" Bradshaw, both men hit the shores of the US Navy flight school in Miramar, CA enjoying the beautiful surroundings, and getting trained to be the best pilots in the US Navy. Maverick gets charming around a gorgeous contractor by the name of Charlotte - or Charlie to him. Things aren't all fun and games as this school proves the mettle of the pilots, some men are badly hurt, and others die. But with a world on the brink, the pilots must shake it off and do what is right.

Like most novelizations, this was adapted from the penultimate script. Not as big a difference from the final shooting script but it was adapted fairly well. Some small changes or references aren't made, completely anyway. Maverick and Goose charm Charlie by singing a Righteous Brothers song, but it's never actually said it's "You Lost that Loving Feeling." Copyright issues, perhaps. Penny Benjamin isn't mentioned. There is no "Need, the need for speed." Or "Talk to me Goose." While the boys don't sing "Great Balls of Fire" in the presence of Carole, Charlie, and Bradley, it is still mentioned. But if you want that watch the movie. Reading this book you get the emotions of Maverick as he works off the massive chip on his shoulder from losing his dad to the tragic circumstances of losing a friend. Or how well-written Carole is or how nauseatingly stiff Jester and Viper are written. This was a fine read, I only wish they adapted the sequel into a novelization.

[Karschtl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anfang der 90er sah ich Top Gun zum ersten Mal und wurde sofort großer Tom Cruise Fan. Als ich irgendwann dann mal das Buch zum Film im Laden sah, musste ich mir das natürlich sofort vom Taschengeld kaufen. Es ist ein typisches "Buch zum Film", das sehr nahe am Drehbuch bleibt. Die 4 Sterne insofern nicht für die schriftstellerische Leistung sondern eher, weil ich den Film eben damals so sehr mochte (und jetzt sicher seit vielleicht 15 Jahren nicht mehr gesehen habe).

Da wir damals keinen Videorekorder (oder gar DVD-Player) hatten und somit der Film nicht immer für mich 'verfügbar' war, war das Lesen das Buches quasi ein Ersatz fürs Film schauen.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting fictional account of the lives of Navy pilots. I had to deduct points for the things I found unbelievable. While authors are given the freedom of adding details to make the story interesting and unique, I found it hard to overlook the fact that the main character would've, more than likely, been discharged from the military for his constant disobedience yet in the book all of these incidents are practically accepted by the upper levels of command.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to use the German version of this book due to the English version on Goodreads not having the pages listed. This is a good novelization of the movie Top Gun. I enjoyed the exposition of Maverick's father's story. There is more information in the book than the movie. However, some prude had marked out all the swear words. lol. It's ok, this book is still a rarity.

[EL · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, I have to say I wouldn't usually pick up a book like this but Top Gun is a favourite movie of mine so I couldn't resist! I was surprised how technical it was and how true it is to the film (it's based on the screenplay to be fair) - all in all an enjoyable quick read. It won't win any awards but it will stay on my bookshelf!

[Olamide]

book is ok

[zoe]

i should've just read some top gun fanfiction instead

[Kimbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The movie was much better!!

[Shahzaib Zargar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take my breath away