Silent Running

by Harlan Thompson

Based on the screen story and the screenplay by Mike Cimino, Deric Washburn, and Steven Bochco.

Genres: Science Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Harlan Howard Thompson, American author of children's books, former international president of PEN International.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rather short but effective novelization of the screenplay of the film which was written by Mike Cimino, Deric Washburn, and Steven Bochco. I read it shortly after seeing the film in a theatre and was impressed at the added scenes set in flashback on Earth. It's one of the saddest books ever released by Scholastic, I'd guess. Harlan Thompson wrote quite a few children's books about horses under the name Stephen Holt; I believe this was his only science fiction book, and the only book to appear under this byline. (Perhaps they thought the name "Harlan" would do well with sf..?) Anyway, pretty good film and a fast fun read. Go hug a tree.

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read this story I was a sophomore in high school. I enjoyed the book so much, my teacher gave me a copy to keep. I still have it. Since then, I have purchase two used copies. This book still makes me cry. It's a story that will last though time. I introduced two English teacher friends to the story. One has read it and loved it. A must read for all ages.

[Mahesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointed with the ending but a good timepass sci-fi

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Polemic but prescient tale about a future in which pollution has killed all Earthly forests except for a few select sample ecosystems, preserved as individual Domes attached to spacecraft. Though they have been lovingly maintained by botanist Freeman Lowell, nobody else values trees anymore or cares to taste a real canteloupe. Indifference now threatens the environment as much as pollution itself. The cute little anthropomorphic drones make me wonder whether this (or the film on which it was based) was an inspiration for Wall-E?

[Michael Sypes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw this movie on TV when I was a kid, and both it and the book had a big impact on me. While reading it again brought back fond memories, the book isn't very good. I do have the movie on DVD, and have watched a few times, but need to do so again.
I wanted to introduce my son to the book, but probably should have done the movie first. It's more moving. The writing of the book doesn't do the story justice, perhaps in part because it is so short, but mostly because it's just poor writing.

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great movie, pretty good novelization.

[Jason Bleckly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely love this movie, but this is the first time I’ve read the book even though I’ve had it for well over a decade. I picked it up because it’s Silent Running, but I’d never read it because I have the DVD which I watch regularly.

I’d never heard of Harlan Thompson. He was childrens author and from what I can see primarily wrote westerns in the 1940s. As far as I can determine this is his only SF book and he wrote this in 1972 when he was 78, yes he was born in the 1800s. The fact he was a childern’s writer and the publisher is Scholastic Books explains the nature of this book.

The book is only 116 pages long and reads like it’s written for children, though I wouldn’t classify the movie as a children’s movie. You can read the book in the same time as it takes to watch the movie. There was one extra section that differentiates the book from the movie, which is a flashback to Lowell’s childhood with his Dad in some wilderness on Earth. It helps define the character in the book, but isn’t entirely needed. The movie worked perfectly well without this extra bit.

There was a really minor change that I don’t think I ever would have noticed if I hadn’t read the book immediately after seeing the movie. In the movie when Lowell’s playing poker before he kills all his mates, he wins the hand with a a full house (Aces and 3s), but in the book it states he has a king high straight. It’s the little things which catch your attention when comparing on the same day. 😊

On the whole the book isn’t bad, but reads like a junior edition. I don’t regret reading the book and am very happy to have my copy, but I wouldn’t recommend people going out of their way to get a copy. The movie is much better.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Awesome cover design, meh storyline.

[Mark H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Efficiently tells the story of the film but adds barely anything else. Slim volume with large print. Why not watch the movie instead?

[Kurry Swigert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have seen the movie a few times and decided to read the book. The storyline is just OK.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fairly good novelization of the movie. The movie itself is one of my all time favorites, I remember seeing it in the theaters when it came out in '72. I was glad to finally get a copy of the book to read.

[Beauregard Shagnasty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always liked this sad little sci fi story.

[Cheryl]

MORE seems to have the movie....