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The Man Who Fell to Earth

From the author of The Queen's Gambit – now a major Netflix drama
By Walter Tevis
Series: S.F. Masterworks
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Check link for latest rating. ( 16,297 ratings, 1,811 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Man Who Fell to Earth is a science fiction novel about an alien named Thomas Jerome Newton who arrives on Earth in search of a solution to save his dying planet. Disguised as a human, he uses his advanced knowledge to amass wealth and power in an attempt to build the means to return home. Throughout the story, themes of isolation, the nature of humanity, and the impact of technology are explored as Newton navigates life among humans.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy thought-provoking science fiction that explores themes of alienation, identity, and the human condition. Set against the backdrop of 20th-century America, it tells the compelling story of an alien stranded on Earth, providing a blend of existential questions with a touch of the extraordinary. Fans of introspective, character-driven narratives with a speculative twist will likely find it captivating.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The remarkable novel upon which the stunning cult film was based.
'Beautiful ... The story of an extraterrestrial visitor from another planet is designed mainly to say something about life on this one' NEW YORK TIMES

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The remarkable novel upon which the stunning cult film was based.

'Beautiful ... The story of an extraterrestrial visitor from another planet is designed mainly to say something about life on this one' NEW YORK TIMES

The Man Who Fell to Earth follows the story of Thomas Jerome Newton, an extraterrestrial from the planet Anthea, which has been devastated by a series of nuclear wars. The Antheans are twice as intelligent as human beings. When Newton lands on Earth, specifically in Kentucky, he is disguised as a human with the intention of saving his own people from extinction. He patents advanced Anthean technology, using it to amass a fortune, and begins to build a spaceship to help the last 300 Antheans migrate to Earth.

Meanwhile, Nathan Bryce, a chemistry professor in Iowa, becomes intrigued by some of the new products Newton's company introduces to the market, suspecting Newton of being an alien. As Bryce and the FBI close in, Newton finds his own clarity and sense of purpose diminishing.

Discover the book which inspired the classic film featuring David Bowie and the new Paramount+ series with Chiwetel Ejiofor!

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Man Who Fell to Earth by Walter Tevis offers a poignant tale of an alien visitor's experience on Earth, using the character's journey as a lens to explore human life and existential themes. The narrative effectively captures the protagonist's isolation and fragility, making it a moving metaphor for the loneliness inherent in the human condition.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781473213111

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 May 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Gollancz

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 134.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 184g

Pages: 208

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Sci-Fi & Fantasy Science Fiction Series: S.F. Masterworks Walter Tevis

About the Author

Walter Tevis was an American novelist and short story writer. Whilst a student at the University of Kentucky, Tevis worked in a pool hall and published a story about the game for an English class. He would later revisit his love for pool in the novels THE HUSTLER (1959) and THE COLOR OF MONEY (1984), both of which would be adapted into multiple award-winning films starring Paul Newman. Among his other works, THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (1963) and MOCKINGBIRD (1980) are considered masterpieces of science fiction. Tevis died in 1984.

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  • The Man Who Fell to Earth
    Thomas Jerome Newton is an extraterrestrial from the planet Anthea, which has been devastated by a series of nuclear wars, and whose inhabitants are twice as intelligent as human beings. When he lands on Earth - in Kentucky, disguised as a human - it's with the intention of saving his own people from extinction. Newton patents some very advanced Anthean...
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