The Dark Crystal

by A.C.H. Smith

Book Overview

The official novelization of Jim Henson's cult classic film along with a behind-the-scenes look at the film's conception from the Jim Henson Archives. Experience the incredible magic of Jim Henson's... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0030624363
• ISBN13: 9780030624360
• Release Date: October 1982
• Publisher: Henson Organization Pub.
• Length: 186 Pages
• Weight: 0.27 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Amazing book!

I loved everything about the book, it really gives more details than the movie does, specifically on Jen's loneliness and his journey with Kira.

A really good book

Being a huge fan of The Dark Crystal,I longed very much to get this book.It's a very enterteining novelization of the movie,although some scenes doesn't appear at the film(the skeksis new emperor coronation)or are slightly different in the movie.The best thing about this book are the skeksis thougts about each other and their political conflicts.My only complaint about this book ...it's rather short!

Dig Deeper, Gelfling

Like many others, I picked up this book after watching the movie expecting to find it to be simply the script translated into prose. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book version delves deeper into the history of the Skeksis and Uru and Gelflings, and that the writer has a great gift for excellent prose. Clever dealings with the psychology of coming of ages makes for great character developement. This is a great rendition of one of the most unique and imaginative fantasies ever produced!

great like the movie

Even if you have already seen the movie a million times like I have, you should definatley read the book. The book has its differences from the movie. The book starts out with a Gelfling named Jen playing in the valley of the Uru(or Mystics as they were called in the movie). Jen knows no other Gelfling, as all the Gelfling were killed by the Skekses, who brought out a mass slaughter on Thra by commanding the Garthim. Jen was orphaned as a baby, because his parents were killed by the Garthim, creatures that resemble crustaceans. Ursu, Jen's master, is dying. At the same time since skekses and uru are linked, the skekses emperor is dying as well. Ursu tells Jen of a quest he must make, to heal the Dark Crystal that is at the Skekses' castle. Long ago, the Urskeks broke a piece off the Dark Crystal. Thus splitting into the two different races, the uru and the skekses. The shard had been lost ever since, and that was why the skekses ordered the mass slaughter of Gelfling. If the Gelfling were dead, they could not heal the Dark Crystal. Another Great Conjunction is coming up, where the three suns will line up. The conjunction could grant the skekses power over Thra, unless Jen can find the shard and heal the Dark Crystal. At the same time since the skekses emperor is dead, there is a political movement to see who will be the next emperor. It's the Garthim Master and Chamberlain who fight over the sceptre to rule as emperor. Many of the skekses join and take sides of the Garthim Master and the Chamberlain. Eventually after winning Haakskeekah, it's the Garthim Master who becomes emperor. Chamberlain has to "pay by the law." He loses his hierarchy, and is kicked out of the castle. Meanwhile, Jen must visit the observatory of Aughra. Aughra is the one who holds the shard that Jen will need in order to take on his quest. After meeting Aughra, it turns out there is more than one shard. The rest are copies and are fake. Out of the pile Aughra has there is only one true shard that belongs to the Dark Crystal. In order to choose, Jen decides to play his flute, the true shard glowing in a purple color. After Aughra's observatory is destroyed by Garthim, Jen escapes and makes it into the forest. There, he meets another Gelfling named Kira. She was found and raised by the Pod people(who seem to resemble potatoes) after her parents were slaughtered by the Garthim as well. With Kira, is a little dog-like creature named Fizzgig. Ultimately, Kira and Fizzgig end up traveling with Jen in the end. That's because Kira's village is raided and destroyed by Garthim. After finding about the Gelfling, the skekses vow to destroy him. And the rest is for you to find out on your own. Unlike the movie, the book shows the politics behind the skekses. It shows political alliances and thwarts to possibly overthrow the Garthim Master. It tells more about the relationship between Jen and Kira. In the book, the Uru are called by their true names, like urUtt and urZah. They als

Seen the movie? now go read the book!

Read how Jen the Gelfling saves his planet from being ruled forever by the cruel Skekies. Learn how He Meets Kira, Augrah,and a fuzzball with teeth called Fizzgig. See how he sayes the Pod people! This book is hard to find, but it's worth it!

"WHEN THREE WERE MADE ONE"

Delightful, enthralling fantasy based on the cinematic creativity of the late Jim Henson, this book proves much deeper than mere action-oriented adventure--of which there is plenty. Almost a psychological novel, THE DARK CRYSTAL reveals the coming-of-age of the last male Gelfling on the planet of Thra. From his quiet, dreamy existence in the secluded valley with the ponderous but cerebral urRu, Jen must suddenly depart on a Quest whose details are not fully explained to him. This gentle boy leaves his comfort zone in a desperate attempt to save his planet from another miillenium of destructive rule. Jen's goal is to find a special crystal shard and reunite it with the mother crystal--now dark with grief and anger at the senseless destruction. This crystal is coveted and guarded in the Dark Castle by the vicious race of Skeksis, who terrorize the planet with their bat spies and insect zombies. Our unlikely hero has only his flute and his wits to guide him, but several surprise friends offer help and advice along his dangerous odyssey--including the last girl Gelfling. Together they race against celestial time, as the Great Conjunction of the triple suns is imminent. I must admit that I picked up the book because I had seen the mesmerizing movie, in which no human face is seen, yet the characters express and inspire human emotions. But this novel stands proudly on its own merit, just as the Dark Cyrstal hangs mysteriously suspended in mid-air. This is high adventure at its best, coupled with penetrating psychological drama, as the author reveals the various nefarious schemes and motivations of the evil characters. Also the vacillations and maturation of the innocent Gelfling pair, driven by ancient Prophecy. Fear no Hollywood hack job, but settle back to enjoy a wonderful read--for kids of All ages!