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Harry and the Hendersons
movie related book
233 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1987
2 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Thompson
54 books14 followersIn 1994, Joyce Thompson took a leave of absence from her literary career to work on high tech’s cutting edge. How to Greet Strangers, her sixth novel, marks her return to her first love, fiction.
She is the author of five previous novels, two collections of short stories and a memoir. Her work has been published in six languages and frequently optioned for film.
She is the author of five previous novels, two collections of short stories and a memoir. Her work has been published in six languages and frequently optioned for film.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 8, 2017
Pretty rare and somewhat hard to find novelization of the 1987 film starring John Lithgow, Melinda Dillon, and Keven Peter Hall as the big guy underneath Rick Baker's Oscar winning makeup/creature effects.
Although the film was a box office disappointment back in that fabled summer of thirty years ago, the movie, like most Amblin productions from that era, has gone on to acquire a bit of a cult following since.
Author Joyce Thompson utilizes strong viewpoints in this enjoyable book and really builds upon the characterizations of the movie. She does a nice job capturing the sweetness of the movie and even some of the zany humor. One really nice touch is that she adds a post movie coda for each character, letting us know what they have been up to since the end of the story in the film.
Bottom line: Very enjoyable light read and highly recommended for fans of the movie.
Although the film was a box office disappointment back in that fabled summer of thirty years ago, the movie, like most Amblin productions from that era, has gone on to acquire a bit of a cult following since.
Author Joyce Thompson utilizes strong viewpoints in this enjoyable book and really builds upon the characterizations of the movie. She does a nice job capturing the sweetness of the movie and even some of the zany humor. One really nice touch is that she adds a post movie coda for each character, letting us know what they have been up to since the end of the story in the film.
Bottom line: Very enjoyable light read and highly recommended for fans of the movie.
December 28, 2019
The One Who Left The Forest
In today's children, I don't know if there's much in Harry & The Hendersons to ignite their imagination, with the iPads/video games of their generation. I grew up loving Harry, although I had not seen it in years before a re-watch recently while off work ill. It still has the same magic as it did then, but still has a severe dip in the middle, so going into the novelization, I was expecting the same.
The novelization, by Joyce Thompson, is based on the screenplay by William Dear, William E Martin and Ezra D Rappaport. There are clearly some scenes that were cut from the final film, and these appear intact in here. The beginning is more fleshed out, so we get more of an insight into the characters prior to the now infamous camping trip. There are also a couple of chapters told from Harry's POV, mainly from the time when he did his flit (in the middle, where the film suffers a terrible dip). There's a flashback, to further enlighten the audience as to why George and his father don't really see eye-to-eye and an extended bathing scene, which I think is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it bit in the film.
The film is where Harry really comes to life, although the novelization does describe what is going on pretty well, and doesn't suffer the same dip in the middle, thanks to the Harry POVs, which are more fleshed out than the montage on screen.
We also discover in the book, why the nosy neighbour Irene, doesn't seem to lose any weight, despite being on a permanent diet.
Much like Starman, I always wanted this film to have a sequel, but at the same time, I didn't want them to ruin the magic of the original film. The novelization solves my issue, by having an epilogue attached, with a "what happened to the characters after meeting Harry". Every character is included, even Irene, Wally and Jacques and it actually cured my desire to see a sequel. Not that there would be a sequel/remake now, as Harry would be all CGI, which would ruin the original charm.
The only quibble I have about this really, is the cover art. I suppose the cover art stems from the time where the film makers wanted to keep Harry hidden, prior to people seeing the film, but I just don't think this cover art works for me personally. It does tie in with the film, with the rose (although I always think the rose is an oddly shaped mouth, when I glance at it quickly). I would have much preferred the more widely used DVD cover art. There is an alternate cover edition, which differs greatly from this cover art and the film cover art, which I would have preferred, however, it doesn't seem readily available/is out of print.
My future children will definitely be introduced to Harry, before they're introduced to the Pixar films and thankfully, this book edition still goes for a reasonable price, so is definitely worth picking up, before the prices jump to the more ridiculous original Labyrinth novelization or Friday 13th novelization prices.
In today's children, I don't know if there's much in Harry & The Hendersons to ignite their imagination, with the iPads/video games of their generation. I grew up loving Harry, although I had not seen it in years before a re-watch recently while off work ill. It still has the same magic as it did then, but still has a severe dip in the middle, so going into the novelization, I was expecting the same.
The novelization, by Joyce Thompson, is based on the screenplay by William Dear, William E Martin and Ezra D Rappaport. There are clearly some scenes that were cut from the final film, and these appear intact in here. The beginning is more fleshed out, so we get more of an insight into the characters prior to the now infamous camping trip. There are also a couple of chapters told from Harry's POV, mainly from the time when he did his flit (in the middle, where the film suffers a terrible dip). There's a flashback, to further enlighten the audience as to why George and his father don't really see eye-to-eye and an extended bathing scene, which I think is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it bit in the film.
The film is where Harry really comes to life, although the novelization does describe what is going on pretty well, and doesn't suffer the same dip in the middle, thanks to the Harry POVs, which are more fleshed out than the montage on screen.
We also discover in the book, why the nosy neighbour Irene, doesn't seem to lose any weight, despite being on a permanent diet.
Much like Starman, I always wanted this film to have a sequel, but at the same time, I didn't want them to ruin the magic of the original film. The novelization solves my issue, by having an epilogue attached, with a "what happened to the characters after meeting Harry". Every character is included, even Irene, Wally and Jacques and it actually cured my desire to see a sequel. Not that there would be a sequel/remake now, as Harry would be all CGI, which would ruin the original charm.
The only quibble I have about this really, is the cover art. I suppose the cover art stems from the time where the film makers wanted to keep Harry hidden, prior to people seeing the film, but I just don't think this cover art works for me personally. It does tie in with the film, with the rose (although I always think the rose is an oddly shaped mouth, when I glance at it quickly). I would have much preferred the more widely used DVD cover art. There is an alternate cover edition, which differs greatly from this cover art and the film cover art, which I would have preferred, however, it doesn't seem readily available/is out of print.
My future children will definitely be introduced to Harry, before they're introduced to the Pixar films and thankfully, this book edition still goes for a reasonable price, so is definitely worth picking up, before the prices jump to the more ridiculous original Labyrinth novelization or Friday 13th novelization prices.
July 3, 2019
In the world of Bigfoot films, Harry and the Hendersons, is one of the classics. Often times the movie is criticized for portraying the Bigfoot as “friendly” and not a vicious monster. However, many circles within the Bigfoot research community do believe and have reported encounters were the creature was benevolent and far from hostile. Simply, Harry and Hendersons is the other side of the coin.
The book is as charming as the movie. What I enjoyed most about the book was the small nuggets that laid on the editing room floor when the movie was spliced together. If read carefully, a lay person would be able to learn a thing or two that is often discussed in the Bigfoot research circles.
#Bigfoot #Sasquatch #SpiritofSasquatch
The book is as charming as the movie. What I enjoyed most about the book was the small nuggets that laid on the editing room floor when the movie was spliced together. If read carefully, a lay person would be able to learn a thing or two that is often discussed in the Bigfoot research circles.
#Bigfoot #Sasquatch #SpiritofSasquatch
August 8, 2023
An uneven read as there's times Thompson felt like she was either rushing over material or misfocusing the scenes in a way that missed certain visual gags, and there's so much satire of the central family up front that it actually makes them hard to empathize with for a while. But it's also very richly written, with a good sense of wit and character, constantly finding little ways to build up and add extra commentary and perspective to the material, the best being the stretches going into Harry's head and exploring how he views this odd world he's found himself in. If you enjoy the film, absolutely track it down.
September 23, 2023
Makes me want to watch the movie again. It was always one of my faves!
March 28, 2021
I enjoyed this read in late elementary school and had to do a book report. It is nice when a book becomes movie to compare the visualizations, we create while reading.
May 7, 2017
What a great story and a different look of the creature known as bigfoot. When a family takes in a creature they wounded accidentally the story is fun, hilarious and heartwarming as every one goes after "Harry" for their own reasons, good and bad.
July 6, 2019
I just learned that this was a book. I was only familiar with the movie before. Both are good.
May 25, 2023
My favorite book ever
March 21, 2024
Youtube
October 16, 2021
I was bike riding through my neighborhood and saw this book in a Community book box just a couple months ago. I couldn’t believe my eyes! I thought, “No way there’s a book that goes with the movie!!”
I had a book with me to donate, and I quickly traded it for Harry and The Hendersons!!!
The copy I have is a picture of the Hendersons sitting in their home, looking through a hole in the wall of their house the shape of Harry (the bigfoot!!). I LOVE the cover.
For those who were asking, the book is based on the 1987 film, not the other way around ☺️
My favorite thing is that, while reading, I can picture the movie scenes; it’s AMAZING!
So nostalgic.
I love the interactions between George and his son Ernie; they’re so funny💜
Harry’s POVs are an interesting addition that I wasn’t expecting!! Really cool.
Joyce does an okay good job of explaining what’s happening, but I wonder if I’d be able to fully understand everything if I hadn’t seen the movie before.
The epilogue at the end was totally unexpected and totally appreciated. It was super awesome.
Such a good, relaxed read for a weekend. I’ll definitely be keeping this book to read again soon or to lend to a friend. 🔥 #ibelieve 👣
I had a book with me to donate, and I quickly traded it for Harry and The Hendersons!!!
The copy I have is a picture of the Hendersons sitting in their home, looking through a hole in the wall of their house the shape of Harry (the bigfoot!!). I LOVE the cover.
For those who were asking, the book is based on the 1987 film, not the other way around ☺️
My favorite thing is that, while reading, I can picture the movie scenes; it’s AMAZING!
So nostalgic.
I love the interactions between George and his son Ernie; they’re so funny💜
Harry’s POVs are an interesting addition that I wasn’t expecting!! Really cool.
Joyce does an okay good job of explaining what’s happening, but I wonder if I’d be able to fully understand everything if I hadn’t seen the movie before.
The epilogue at the end was totally unexpected and totally appreciated. It was super awesome.
Such a good, relaxed read for a weekend. I’ll definitely be keeping this book to read again soon or to lend to a friend. 🔥 #ibelieve 👣
January 6, 2010
Not really a memorable book.
February 14, 2014
3.87 stars
I liked it. I've seen the movie.
Nice story, not particularly special book, but good.
I liked it. I've seen the movie.
Nice story, not particularly special book, but good.
September 23, 2015
Funny anthropomorphic romp.
July 2, 2016
Very good book, it was kind of a fast read. I'm not sure which came first, the movie or the book though.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews