Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and time for another review. Today, I am reviewing Ghostbusters: The Supernatural Spectacular, the novelisation of the first Ghostbusters movie.

Ghostbusters: The Supernatural Spectacular by Richard Mueller was first published in 1984 by Tor Books and (my copy) is 149 pages long (the book cover that is linked is for the omnibus edition which also contains Ghostbusters II).

The Plot

The plot follows three eccentric parapsychologists – Dr Venkman, Dr Stantz, and Dr Spengler – as they start a ghost-catching service in New York City.

Characters

Dr Peter Venkman

Dr Peter Venkman is depicted as the sarcastic and witty leader of a group of parapsychologists working out of Columbia University in New York City. He has a laid-back attitude, often putting him at odds with the more straight-laced team members. He is also depicted as somewhat of a womaniser, frequently flirting with and hitting on female characters throughout the book.

On another, deeper level, Venkman is also a character struggling with his sense of identity and purpose. Throughout the book, he grapples with his fears and insecurities, particularly regarding his feelings for his colleagues and love interest, Dana Barrett.

In the novel, Venkman feels a little more insecure than he appears in the movie, perhaps because we get to be in his head a little more and can read how he genuinely feels about certain things, like his relationship with Dana. 

Venkman’s character development is refreshing; he starts out as a sceptic and is initially only interested in research on the paranormal for his own personal gain. However, as the story progresses, he learns to accept the existence of ghosts growing to become a more determined and fearless hero.

Dr Raymond Stantz

Dr Raymond Stantz is an essential member of the Ghostbusters team, providing the technical and scientific expertise needed to combat the supernatural. His skills are fundamental to the success of Ghostbusters, and his enthusiasm and childlike curiosity also provide comic relief, helping to balance the darker tones of the story.

His character shines in his wide-eyed wonderment and childlike fascination with all things ghostly. His eagerness is infectious and endearing, making him a fan favourite among Ghostbusters fans.

Unlike Venkman, Ray believes fully in the paranormal and is excited to start busting ghosts. He is the optimist of the team and often brings positive energy to the group. His character provides the group with a sense of innocence and optimism, complementing the personalities of the rest of the team.

Dr Egon Spengler

Dr Egon Spengler is portrayed as an eccentric scientist with a brilliant mind for technology and is the mastermind behind the creation of the ghost-catching equipment used by the Ghostbusters.

As a character, Egon represents the classic nerdy and socially awkward scientist stereotype. However, his intelligence, expertise, and dedication to his work are the things that make him a valuable member of the Ghostbusters team; his scientific knowledge is crucial to the Ghostbusters’ success, as he often comes up with innovative solutions to some of the challenges they face.

Winston Zeddemore

Winston is initially introduced as a regular working-class man looking for a steady job with a stable income. However, as the story progresses, he becomes a critical member of the Ghostbusters team, contributing to their success in capturing ghosts and saving New York City from an impending paranormal apocalypse.

He is a former marine who provides a more practical and grounded perspective in the group. He is also a quick learner and fast becomes an invaluable team member.

Winston is a character that possesses several notable traits. He is honest, hardworking, and humble, with a no-nonsense attitude that enables him to connect with people. As the only African American member of the team, Winston also brings a much-needed sense of diversity and representation, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and social equality.

Janine Melnitz

Janine Melnitz is a secondary character in Ghostbusters. She works as the receptionist at the Ghostbusters headquarters, where she is responsible for handling incoming calls and scheduling appointments. Janine is a no-nonsense, no-frills kind of woman who takes pride in her work and is fiercely protective of her colleagues.

Although Janine’s job may seem insignificant initially, her character is essential to the functioning of the Ghostbusters team. She is the linchpin, helping to keep the team on track, and her iconic line, after the team gets their first job, “We got one!” has become a pop culture reference, a testament to the impact of her character.

Dana Barrett

Dana Barrett is a classical musician who becomes involved in the story when she notices supernatural occurrences around her apartment. This prompts her to seek help from the Ghostbusters. 

Throughout the story, Dana becomes the love interest of Peter Venkman and is portrayed as his damsel in distress when she is eventually possessed by the main villain, Zuul, but she is much more than that; she is a strong-willed individual who is not afraid to stand up for herself and is shown to have a no-nonsense attitude towards life, contrasting with the Ghostbusters, who are portrayed as a group of quirky misfits.

Louis Tully

Louis Tully primarily serves as the comic relief in the story. He is a nerdy and socially awkward accountant who lives across the hall from Dana Barrett, whom he has developed quite the crush on.

He is a relatable character who adds a layer of humour and heart to the story.

Writing Style

One of the key strengths of this novelisation is its ability to capture the essence of the movie while adding greater depth and context to the story.

Mueller’s writing style is engaging and descriptive. He paints each scene and character with vivid, layered detail. Fans of the movie will appreciate the added details and insights into the motivations and backstories of the Ghostbusters team; there is so much extra detail in this book regarding the backstories of the characters, additional plot details, and scenes that are reworked or that were deleted from the original script. Some of it is relatively interesting, lending itself nicely to the story, while some could have been left out… (Ray, I am talking about you and your ghostly “visitation”).

Another noteworthy aspect of the book is Mueller’s ability to create a sense of tension and suspense, even for readers who already know the basic plot. Despite knowing what comes next, readers will be eager to read on to see how the Ghostbusters will handle each new supernatural challenge.

One of the strengths of the novelisation is its ability to capture the humour and wit of the movie while also exploring the horror and mystery elements in more detail. The descriptions of the ghosts and their hauntings are vivid and chilling, making for a really spooky reading experience.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Ghostbusters: The Supernatural Spectacular by Richard Mueller is a well-written and engaging adaptation of the classic movie. Whether you are a long-time fan or a newcomer to the franchise, this book is undoubtedly worth checking out for its deeper insights and thrilling storytelling.

I am giving Ghostbusters: The Supernatural Spectacular a 7/10.

Are you a Ghostbusters fan? Have you read the novel or watched Ghostbusters? Let me know your thoughts.

Thank you, as ever, for stopping by. It means a lot.

Until next time, 

George

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Categories: Book Reviews, Reading

Tags: book review, Ghostbusters, ghosts, novelisation, Novelization, review, reviews, supernatural