Book Review: The Mask by Madeline Dorr

By georgelthomas on 21 Feb 2025 • ( 0 )

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I’m reviewing Madeline Dorr’s novelisation of the 1994 film The Mask.

The Mask was published in 1994 by Red Fox and is 96 pages long.

The Plot
The storyline of The Mask novel stays true to the film’s premise. The story follows Stanley Ipkiss, a clerk at a bank who finds a strange mask in a river that transforms him into a green-faced figure with extraordinary powers.

Characters
Stanley Ipkis/The Mask
Stanley is as lovable in the novel as he is in the movie. Dorr skillfully captures his duality, portraying both the timid clerk and the audacious Mask as they attempt to win the heart of Tina Carlyle.

Charlie
Charlie is Stanley’s best friend and co-worker, often providing comic relief and support to Stanley.

Tina Carlyle
Tina is a nightclub singer and Stanley’s love interest. She initially works for the villain but eventually sees Stanley’s true nature and helps him.

Peggy Brandt
Peggy is a reporter who seems kind-natured initially, befriending Stanley, but she later betrays him for her own gain.

Dorian Tyrell
Dorian, the story’s antagonist, is a crime lord who seeks to control the city. He becomes a formidable foe when he gets his hands on the mask.

Lieutenant Kellaway
Kellaway is a sceptical police officer determined to uncover the identity of the Mask and bring him to justice. He often finds himself frustrated by the Mask’s antics and the chaos he causes.

Writing Style
Madeline Dorr’s writing style is a vibrant and evocative celebration of the film’s campy humour and energetic pace. Her narrative voice is playful and engaging, mirroring the whimsical tone of the film. Every scene is painted with vivid imagery, drawing readers into Edge City and the lives of its quirky inhabitants.

One of the strengths of Dorr’s writing is her ability to seamlessly blend the zany antics of The Mask with emotional depth. From Stanley’s internal struggles to the consequences of wielding such unpredictable power, her dynamic storytelling keeps the book flowing, capturing the kinetic energy that made the film a hit.

However, while the book does manage to capture the film’s essential plot beats and tells somewhat of a complete story, it offers little of anything in fresh insights or deeper explorations. The potential to enrich Stanley’s character remains largely untapped, as do the inner lives of the other characters.

Herein lies the crux of the matter. The novel adheres so closely to the film’s structure that it misses opportunities to flesh out the narrative with compelling subplots or character backstories. Such is the fun of reading a novelisation.

Final Thoughts
Overall, Madeline Dorr’s novelisation of The Mask is a lovely tribute to the beloved 90s film. By capturing the central essence of the characters and plot, Dorr offers a reading experience filled with nostalgia and fun. For film buffs, 90s nostalgia fans, and book lovers alike, this novelisation is a must-read, reviving the magic and mayhem of The Mask in a format readers can savour at leisure.

I’m giving The Mask a 6/10.

Have you read The Mask? What did you think?

Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review.

Until next time,

George