Even if the book struck the perfect balance between worldbuilding, character development, and plot momentum, you'd still be left with the idea that this is a book offering yet another take on a subject already explored in a major motion picture, as part of a successful cartoon series, and in the aforementioned thousands of pages of comic books — they've already obsessively covered the end of Krypton and the start of Superman's life as we know it. I don't think we needed yet another "reimagining."
It's hard to imagine who this book is meant to please; die-hard comics fans will only be questioning every other page based on the reams of material they've already consumed on the subject of Krypton, and the depth of detail Anderson delves into is enough to scare off more casual fans. I guess it could be aimed square at fans of literary science fiction who might be lured by the possibility of a more traditional speculative take on Superman's pulp origins. That's not me, but I could see that type of audience finding some value in this novel.
Otherwise, The Last Days of Krypton is a hard book to recommend; you either know too much already about Krypton to need yet another turgid take on the subject, or you know everything that's necessary from those eight little words, and another hundred thousand aren't going to help much.
Article comments
1 - Jerry
That was a horrible commentary. I'm reading the book now and so far I am very pleased with the story and character development. It is a fascinating read just for the simple fact that no one has ever attempted to give a complete and compelling back story to the Superman mythos. My take, so far so good. I highly recommend to any fan on whatever level you are.
2 - Matt
Jerry, if you sincerely believe that "no one has ever attempted to give a complete and compelling back story to the Superman mythos," I can point you in the direction of several comic book storylines and miniseries that do just that--not to mention the first twenty minutes of Superman: The Movie. Sorry you didn't like the review, and glad you're enjoying the book.
3 - IJ
Honestly, I have to disagree for the most part with your review of this book. Not so much with your opinion because everyone is different and therefore receives differently, but with your assertion that the book is too slow. I felt that Anderson's detailed description of Krypton and its political mood and the various people give the story a very rich feel. As the story progressed I stopped simply reading the story as a looker-on but began to feel that I was viewing the events as if I were there. This rarely occurs when I read a book, or watch a movie for that matter. And I am a very avid reader of all times of literature. And to be quite frank as the story progressed I also began to feel like I personally knew the people and to that end I actually felt the loss of Krypton and Jor- El, Lara, Zor-El etc. as the book drew to its foregone conclusion in the last chapter or so. Truth be told I actually shed a tear or two. That being said, I would also like to say that I do agree with you on the point that it does seem to be aimed at a very specific audience, and that anyone outside that aim probably wouldn't make it through the book.
4 - Greg
I found this book at a garage sale for a nickel and just finished reading it. Wish I'd never picked it up. How the iconic superhero came from such a feeble, inept, petty, planet I'll never understand. And now this image is stuck with me forever. What a horrible book.