Stephanie Meyer  |  Fiction

2008, 619 pages

Lois thought I might like The Host and I began with mixed reviews   I am not a big science fiction fan ... not since I read a bit in college, Ray Bradbury, George Orwell. The premise of The Host, “souls" or "aliens" take over the bodies of humans, allegedly for the good of the planet, perhaps the universe, is not without its redeeming qualities.  I expected more of a story .... not 100% science fiction.  I expected a bit of relief from the interactions.

I liked the format and the writing style much less than the story.  For almost 200 full pages, our soul, Wanderer, and our human, Melanie, talked with each other.  Melanie had a considerable recollection of memories and a facility with emotions. These memories, which came and went in greater strength, impacted every single conversation.  Something happens in the present and Wanderer has a thought or comment about it, and Melanie comes back with her perspective.  This happened on nearly every left-hand page near the bottom.  These conversations, dialogues, and monologues gave me a headache.  I keep waiting for the venue, context, and especially the format to change.

Finally 1/3rd of the way in, something may be changing.  There are about 60 fascinating pages where Wanda (she has a real name now!) shares stories with the 35 or so people who also live in the giant underground community.  She never gets very comfortable … telling stories about the origins of the aliens, the many planets in which she has lived, the many experiences and lifetimes she encountered.  But the humans she is living with are, for the most part, extremely curious.

Okay, I made it half way and am bored, bored.  Closing the book now with an unfortunate single heart

July 2025