Extra Terrestrial Goes Native in U.S.A

Tevis was not a pulp science fiction author, but his one famous science fiction novel: The man Who Fell To Earth (1963) was successfully filmed starring David Bowie and has also been published in the science fiction Masterwork Series. Tevis had success with The Hustler, The Color of Money and the Queens Gambit, which were also filmed. He was a quality popular writer and member of the Authors Guild.

T J Newton walks into a small town in Kentucky pawns a gold ring and hires a patent lawyer to set in motion a series of new inventions that could transform some aspects of life on earth. He has a five year plan to become a multi-billionaire to enable him to develop his own space research project. He is a gangly tall human like being who has trouble in earths heavy gravity and employs a close circle of workers to further his aims.

The novel charts his progress and also that of Bryce a chemical engineer and scientist who is suspicious of T J Newtons aims, becoming convinced that he is an alien. The character of T J Newton and his struggles with ill health are well developed as are the small circle of people around him. The politics on earth have reached a dangerous stage where nations are flexing their new atomic muscles, but T J Newton is given the time to establish his new patent inventions and all our sympathies are with this uncomfortable figure as he quietly goes about his business. He employs Betty Joe a mature woman who likes to drink as a nurse and helper and he gradually takes to alcohol himself. As his project develops he starts to question his own motives and becomes more reclusive.

The mystery surrounding T J Newton is revealed to the reader well before the story ends, but it is T J Newton's own integration into the United States and the lack of interference from the government that holds the interest. The strangeness surrounding this lonely figure on an earth that seems to be heading for destruction makes this a 3.5 star read. ( )

Thomas Newton is a alien who comes to Earth to help save his dying planet. He comes with all his advanced knowledge, lives among us and becomes a rich industrialist, building technologies that will allow him to build a rescue ship to save his wife and the survivors. But "human" foibles, alcoholism, and the government gets in his way to thwart his plans. A very beautiful book, I'm glad I read it.

It was the basis of the David Bowie movie in 1976 and Showtime series starring Chiwetel Ejiofor. I want to read more of his stuff. He wrote 6 novels, 4 of which have been movies or shows. This, plus The Hustler, The Color of Money and The Queen's Gambit ( )

Rating 4.35

While I generally prefer drama or humor, I'd happened upon the Showtime series and enjoyed it immensely though like many adaptation, creative liberties are taken to a fault. In the original story, Newton is central to the plot; in the series, he's replaced by Faraday played by Chiwetel Ejiofor; Newton is played by Bill Nighy who only appears in a few episodes and when he does, its far and away different from the book.

Thomas J. Newton is from the planet Anthea and arrives on Earth for a research expedition. His frail anatomy and ability to see infrared require a 'costume' that gives him a human appearance. Not long after he arrives he meets Nathan Bryce, a PhD researcher who soon becomes awed by Newton's knowledge. Rather than incorporate spoilers, suffice it to say that Newton creates a series of ground breaking technologies that are patented and in a matter of no time, becomes a multi-millionaire and forms World Enterprises.

Newton is introverted with a unique warmth about him and as his status grows, he builds a complex in KY where Bryce is his cohort. A multi-year project to build a 'ferry' begins and during this period we are introduced to Mary Jo and his housekeeper who refers to Newton as "Tommy". As the plot moves towards closure, Newton and Bryce are arrested by an unknown arm of the CIA who takes their time studying his purpose and anatomy. Having tapped the phones, they are aware of his origin and plans for the ferry.

Tevis is a brilliant author who engages the reader with unique plot, characters and premise and for those unaware, wrote "Queen's Gambit", "The Hustler" and "Color of Money" which were all adapted to screen. Where genre is concerned, I'd categorize this as 'mild science fiction' though drama seems more fitting. Having loved Queen's Gambit and this story, I plan to read his others and highly recommend you do as well! ( )

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Sometimes the romantic thought that addicts are better attuned to the human condition and society’s ills takes hold of me. But I’m pretty sure that’s not the case, even though some addicts might have more empathy for those that can’t help themselves – and isn’t that basically everybody, to a certain degree? Being an addict confronts oneself with the non-existence of free will, even though some that have conquered their addiction will pin that victory to their moral strengths rather than their changed conditions.

So it is no surprise that lots of reviews of The Man Who Fell to Earth point to the deep humanity of this book, whatever that may mean. And while I agree the novel is still worth reading 60 years after it was first published – even somewhat of a classic – I found the portrayal of addiction a bit lacking. Tevis wrote an interesting story, even an original one, but I don’t think it is particularly deep or insightful.

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More on Weighing A Pig Doesn't Fatten It ( )

Thomas J Newton, came from another planet in human form to make a lot of money and build a spaceship but did he want to save the Earth or destroy it?

Walter Tevis wrote this book in 1963, and in today's digital age some of Newton’s revolutionary inventions are rather dated – new types of camera film stock, amplifiers and a new way of petrol refining but this book is really about alienation and loneliness rather than great technological advances. Newton comes to realise that he will never see his home planet or family ever again.

The 1960's was the height of the Cold War and consequently and the world's main concern was the fear of Nuclear War (Mutually Assured Destruction) and whilst today that fear has lessened the book in the age of global warming is still relevant, where today the main fear is global warming. Newton has already seen what war has done to his own planet, where its natural resources have either been exhausted or severely degraded. He can't believe the seemingly unlimited availability of water and his appreciation of a simple glass of pure water is unfortunately shared by many on our own planet, particularly in Africa, today.

The ending is very sad. Newton potentially has much to offer the Earth but finishes up a blind, lonely, disillusioned “man”. Newton comes to realise that he will never go back home and is unsure even if he wants to. The US Government locks him up in a detention centre but when he refuses to help them develop new weapons, they don't know what to do with him and simply releases him despite him having the knowledge, skills and experience to help in other ways. In our troubled times where so many people are migrating from one country to another for various reasons this gives it added relevance. A study not just of an alien, but also alienation.

Now I should point out that I'm not really a Sci-Fi fan, but I don't think that you have to be to get something out of it. Yet somehow, I also felt that there was something missing and it failed to really grip me. But I would still recommend others giving it a go, my copy only had some 96 pages so it's possible to read in one sitting. ( )