The Iron Man: 04/26/11

The Iron Man by Ted Hughes was re-titled The Iron Giant after the 1999 animated film was released with the new name. It's the story of a friendship between a giant robot and a young boy and also the danger that such a large sentient machine can pose.

The version I read was released when the film came out. Except for names and elevator pitch there is little else the film and the book have in common.

The most recent Iron Man edition has illustrations by Laura Carlin. From the few pages I've seen online her pictures seem to get to the heart of the story. If I were to re-read the book, I would want to read Carlin edition.

The book has episodic chapter with the robot crashing into the village and eventually being rebuilt. There's the town's fear of him and his friendship with the boy and then some chapters about the robot's own hopes and dreams.

I wish the film edition hadn't used the film's title. There's nothing wrong with just putting, "the book that inspired the film" on the cover and leaving it at that. The changed title altered my expectations.

Two stars for the edition I read.

Comments (2)

Comment #1: Wednesday, April, 27, 2011 at 12:37:18

Marc

I loved the Ted Hughes original when I was a child and can still even recall the cover with the Iron Giant on that had me in awe.

Comment #2: Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 18:08:23

Pussreboots

I would like to see the original or the reissue with the new art some day. The movie tie-in version is lacking.