Escape from New York: The Official Novelization

By Mike McQuay

Book Overview

Originally published in 1981 and long out of print, Mike McQuay's novelization of John Carpenter's Escape from New York is a pulp thrill ride that expands upon the film's dystopian world with material cut from the final production.

It is 1997 and a nearly destroyed New York City has become a walled prison for over three million convicted criminals who have lost, but survived, a brutal war against the United States Police Force. In this maximum security prison-city, escape has been made impossible--every bridge is mined and walled, the surrounding waters are filled with deadly electricity, and the Statue of Liberty has become just another guard tower from which officers in infrared goggles blast, on sight, any prisoners desperate enough to try to get out. Radar scanners revolve and helicopters circle the island of Manhattan endlessly. Other than the monthly food drops made by air into Central Park these outcasts are left completely on their own to prey on each other.

Into this living hell one master criminal, Snake Plissken, is sent alone on a mission as dangerous as the criminals within its walls; he must rescue the President of the United States whose plane crashes in New York City on its way to a world summit conference; the President is carrying papers that are crucial to the survival of the United States. As a deadly incentive, to prevent Snake from abandoning his rescue mission, two devices are implanted in Snake's head, which could blow the famous crook to pieces.

Based on the original screenplay by John Carpenter and Nick Castle.

• Format: MP3 CD
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GYQBQL8M
• ISBN13: 9798228967939
• Release Date: June 2026
• Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
• Length: 1 Pages

Customer Reviews

a classic Future Noir

This is that rarity: a "novelization" of a screenplay that is actually ten times better than the film itself. Mike McQuay, who unfortunately passed away in 1996, served in the military in Vietnam and taught Creative Writing at Oklahoma Central state University. I found this book at a perfect time in my life back in 1981; i was a rebellious 12 yr old looking for something to HANG ON to; and Snake Plissken became the perfect anti-hero figure for me.It's a shame that McQuay never wrote any further Snake Plissken novels but his Matthew Swain Sci Fi Detective pulps are pretty close in spirit and style.

McQuay writes a definitive movie tie-in.

Taking the John Carpenter/Nick Castle screenplay as a starting point, Mike McQuay has written a definitive movie tie-in novel. While most tie-ins are written on a "see Dick run" level, McQuay, through his lean, often humourous style, crafts an exciting, scary sci-fi adventure. From the opening paragraph where Snake Plissken robs the federal reserve depository to the last simple, eloquent line at the end, McQuay grabs us, giving us insight into all the major characters: Snake, the bitter war vet who, after being betrayed by his country, turns to a life of crime; Bob Hauk, also a disllusioned vet who becomes part of the system, even though he hates it as much as Snake. The way McQuay renders the Snake/Hauk relationship really adds resonance to the film. Even Brain, Maggie, Cabbie and President are given substantial character weight. Once you read the book, viewing the film is a much deeper experince. You have a grasp on what made Snake the way he is, and what motivates him. McQuay also renders the future in an even bleaker way than the Carpenter film. The west coast is a no-man's land, and the U.S. population is slowly being driven mad by nerve gas, a product of WW3. The author even gives the black suited soliders a name: Blackbellies. They along with the government, are the real villians here. In McQuay's bio, it indicates that he served in Vietnam. What better background for an author to have when creating the mindset and motivations of a classic anti-hero like Snake Plissken. I'm just one of many who would like to see McQuay delve back into Snake's world again, maybe even for a series of adventures. Judging by ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK, no one could do it better.