To keep it simple and basic: Jack Finney's Invasion of The Body Snatchers succeeds first and foremost because it's a great story. If there was nothing else to be said about it, just that it's a great story, that should be more than enough to keep it on the bookshelves for the next generation to enjoy as much as the last.
However, as with most of Finney's work, it's not just the story that makes Invasion of The Body Snatchers timeless, it's also the storyteller. Reading Finney is like sitting out on the front porch, watching the neighbors come and go, and talking about how your day went. There's a hominess, an honesty, that lends credibility to every word. Add his sense of humor and obvious intelligence to the mix and you'll follow him into the strangest, most bizarre events without question.
Critics have called Invasion of The Body Snatchers an allegory for everything from the McCarthy hearings to the Cold War. It was published in 1954, a time when such connections were easy to make. However, in correspondence with Stephen King, Finney said, "I have read explanations of the 'meaning' of this story, which amuse me, because there is no meaning at all; it was just a story meant to entertain, and with no more meaning than that."
But it is a story with a strong underlying truth. That truth is this: no matter how well you know a person, you never really know him. Is there anything more frightening?
David Silva
The Successful Writer
http://thesuccessfulwriter.com
The journey to having my first novel for children published... Read More
The Benefits of Co-Publishing There are a number of publishers,... Read More
We all need a cheer squad.We all need people to... Read More
If you are a serious writer who wants to publish... Read More
Congratulations on writing your first book. That is quite an... Read More
In order to be successful with a newsletter, specialize in... Read More
When my first book "Starting Your Own Business" was published... Read More
Have you ever wondered why certain writers are able to... Read More
Is your book nearly finished, finished, published, or even in... Read More
There is a psychological nuisance so powerful that can deflate... Read More
We've all been told that we need to use all... Read More
If you're a writer, you're in business. It doesn't matter... Read More
Using a ghostwriter to craft your free reprint articles and... Read More
Day after day, writers tend to sit for hours writing... Read More
Self-examination is brutally honest. Self-indulgence is brutally maudlin.Writing requires the... Read More
Since the headline is the first contact your readers have... Read More
Making Money from Freelance WritingIt's the question that every aspiring... Read More
Suspense novels are probably the easiest novels to write. Suspense... Read More
To capitalize on ways to make extra income you can... Read More
Be careful when you write.Words you use, sentences you phrase... Read More
Mixing and mingling with industry professionals is an opportunity that... Read More
If you are a serious writer who wants to publish... Read More
Writer's block! Even columnist Dave Berry has it. He admits... Read More
In a crowded market, clients will be seeking personality as... Read More
It's the funniest thing. When someone asks me what I... Read More
Bedford Park taxi to Midway ..As a previous article ("Making Better Word Choices ? 4... Read More
All writers should use a plan whether written or reflected.... Read More
1. Turning your idea into a bookWith non-fiction books the... Read More
Any article, report or book which is bought or sold... Read More
Ever wonder what an author's life is like? What that... Read More
If your dream is to get published, the chance is... Read More
Be careful when you write.Words you use, sentences you phrase... Read More
How many times have you forced yourself to sit in... Read More
Plagiarism has been condemned lately by all types of experts,... Read More
Back in my school days, if the teacher demanded a... Read More
A few magazines refer to their written idea sources in... Read More
Whether you're interviewing for a new job, trying to woo... Read More
Interested in breaking into writing or breaking into a new... Read More
A book coaching client recently emailed me that she was... Read More
Questions and answers on writing life experiences for ourselves and... Read More
Arrogance has a bad rap. We think of arrogant people... Read More
Style manuals are all well and good, and in fact,... Read More
You know you've got writing talent. Others enjoy your work... Read More
Being a great writer is no longer enough if you... Read More
I owe the completion and success of my book to... Read More
PASSED, PASTPassed is the past tense of pass. Past means... Read More
Clustering, also called Mind Mapping, is a great way to... Read More
Why would anyone want to write for trade journals? Aren't... Read More
You have a new website, or a new business, or... Read More
Open any book on 'how to write,' and somewhere you... Read More
Writing |