Michael Grant’s new novel, Gone, is like a combination of Left Behind, X-Men and Lord of the Flies. There is no better way to let you in on this story than to quote from the first few lines:
“One minute the teacher was talking about the Civil War. And the next minute he was gone.
There.
Gone.
No “poof.” No flash of light. No explosion.”
Unfortunately, Michael doesn’t continue with the obvious next sentence, “Just gone.” But he does make you think it, and his first few lines really do all they need to to suck a reader in.
To the plot: It’s like the Rapture has taken place, except that there is an age line instead of a religious restriction on who goes and who stays; everyone over the age of fifteen has disappeared from Perdido Beach, California. An impenetrable barrier keeps the kids in and everyone else out, and so a group of young teens are left to take care of themselves and the younger children who are stuck in this new world.
Of course, Michael doesn’t just let everyone hang out and have fun — no, bullies emerge, as do defenders, and there are kids with strange new powers, and animals are mutating. It’s all very confusing and frightening and awesome enough to suck you in for a good two days. In fact, at a whopping 558 pages, it’s definitely something you can really sink your teeth into this summer.
The hilarious aspect of this book is the trailer — you know about book trailers, yes? Well, here we have one that I can’t help but giggle at because it starts out with that totally laugh-worthy phrase … “What IF?” Watch for yourself:
In spite of the trailer being a bit over-the-top, I have to say this is a very good read. I wouldn’t be bothering to tell you about it if it weren’t true, now would I?
Buy Gone
PS. I’d be willing to bet a good chunk of change that we’ll see a sequel to this one. In fact, I’ll be quite disappointed if we don’t.
Hey, thanks for the kind words. I’m loving the blog — even more now.
Now if I can just get you to stop picking on our trailer . . .
FYI: I’m rewriting GONE 2 right now. It should roll out about a year from now.
YAY. Am so psyched to hear there will be a new one. And c’mon, you know the trailer cracks you up. Don’t you laugh out loud every time you’re in a movie theatre, watching the trailers before the film, and you hear one that starts with “What IF?”
What IF flying squirrels took over the world?
What iIF Malibu Barbie is God?
What IF humans had webbed feet???
You can even add “what IF” to everyday phrases, and it’s hilarious:
What IF you drank the last cup of coffee in the house, and your boyfriend still hadn’t had any?
What IF you decided to go to the grocery store?
What IF you wore the green shirt today instead of the pink one????
The trailer is awesome hilarity, and that should totally be enough, dude. All awesome hilarity is fine by me.
(Besides which, the book is awesome thriller-ness, and the trailer does nothing to take away from that!)
WHAT’S IN THAT BAG?!
Hunh. Okay, wait. I read the book, but I must have missed something. Michael, can you tell us … what IS in that bag?
Well, it’s kind of a scene from the book but written a bit differently for the trailer. Suffice to say that when the adults disappear it does not immediately occur to kids that babies may be inside some of the homes. . .
I know. I feel badly about it. But it was a logical conclusion drawn from the underlying premise of the book. I mean, Stephen King would have gone there. Right?
OH, yes. I remember that. That was good. I mean, bad, but good. And yes, Stephen King would totally have gone there. But then, you’re talking about a man who gave me a lifelong fear of clowns. So I’d have to say that it’s maybe not always a good idea to go where he does. I was ten, for crying out loud. TEN. And I can never look at a clown again without shuddering. I doubt I’ll ever be able to go to a giant hotel in the middle of nowhere, either.
This is all just to say: Hey there, readers! Read the book. Read it and then come back and tell me — and possibly our esteemed visitor Mr. Grant — what you thought. I mean, HELLO? I posted this thing YESTERDAY MORNING. You can’t tell me it’s taken you this long to go read a book, can you?
And thanks for stopping by my blog. I’m adding links soon, I promise. Tomorrow I have to go wrestle my car away from the car shipping people in Livorno so maybe a day or two. Soon I’ll be running over motorcyclists in my own car instead of a rental. Progress!
Left Behind in Perdido Beach? (I looked up “perdido” in a Spanish-English dictionary…excellent choice of location
) Sounds yummy.
Cuileann, I had to look it up too, and apparently it means “lost.” Lost doesn’t sound very yummy to me at all. I wouldn’t want to eat lost, for instance. But I think I know what you mean. ♥
I work in a bookstore and Gone was in yesterdays shipment. I looked at it and thought it looked interstesting, so I bought it. I sat down this morning and starting reading…and couldn’t stop. (I promised my husband I wouldn’t spend the entire weekend reading…I guess there’s always tomorrow)
Anyway, it’s an excellent book. I can’t wait for the next one!
Yay! I’m so glad you liked it. And if I had any money, I’d fly out to Tuscany this summer and hover over Michael’s shoulder as each page came off the printer.
It’s probably a good thing I’m poor.
That was amazing! I just finished Gone, the first thing I had to do was come online. I’m so excited there’s going to be a second one. I promised my mom that I’d get a thick book and not read it all at once but I couldn’t help it, it was very suspenseful. I’ve been reading for six hours straight, it happens. Can’t wait for the sequel! Great book!!! I’m rambling aren’t I?
oh my gosh i loved GONE it was the best book i ever read it just kept me on the edge i just wanted to keep reading and reading i can’t wait for the second one this book is great it just kept my mind on whats going to happen next it was great i just can’t beleive sam didn’t kill caine buts it good cause theres going to be a sequel!!!!!! this is the best book i ever read no lie i totally recommend you to read it it’ll have you on the edge of your seat:)
I LOVED this book! I couldn’t stop reading it. It is by far the best book I ever read! I can’t wait for the sequel!
I remembered going to the bookstore and picking out GONE, my mom said the story was so morbid but after pleading with her she caved. I reread it twice because in my haste i missed some key parts and what do you know? I had dreams about it.
I just finished reading Gone. Amazing book. Apparently, Micheal Grant has just finished up the sequel, and it’s going to be part of a 6 book series, one published every summer. I can’t wait til next summer!!!
Michael,
ive been hearing that there may be a movie about your book?
if its not true
then you should totally get that in the works
i mean the book is beyond amazing
and so vivid
and a movie would be awsome to see
see it all unravel in front of your eyes
GREAT,amazing book
i mainly bought this book because i just needed something to read after breaking dawn
thinking it would be good way to spend time
but after the first page
i was like woah!
and as i kept going
i was like…this is DEFINITELY one of my most favorite books EVER!
i love sam and astrids relationship btw<3
ok, i love this book. i first started reading it while i was wait for breaking dawn to come out. i finished it in like a day and this would be great as a movie. i would so totally see it.
i can’t wait for the second book to come out, it was well written. Michael Grant you are an Ah-mazing Author
omg, i love this book, its the best book i have ever read, i cant wait until the next one!
Hi i’m Dani. Our teacher was so fasanated by your book that she read it in two days, and decided to read it to the class. Because we only have less than an hour in a class we are only on chapter 7. Your book is great. It’s so great that our tacher is willing to read each chapter seven times!
I can’t wait untill Gone 2
I really hope Gone 2 comes soon!!!!!!
I loved the book soooo much!!
I have to say, Drake was my favorite character, yes, Drake Merwin……I’m not insane…….normally….
Anyway, I cant wait for the sequal (when wil it be published?) and hope that Drake is in it!!!!
Ps, i am not insane!!!!!!! just different
hey i read this book during summer while going to legoland ( im 12 ) and i was wondering, was Orc getting powers too? when i pictured him in my head it was kind of gross yet cool. Is he gonna be in the next book? I cant wait! and will astrid get powers?
WWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW! i read the book over the summer and was amazed! I found it much better hten Twilight, Maximum Ride, and The Otherworldlies. It is action packed and entertaining…. is there going to be a movie???? should be!!!!
Thanks
Hay they should make a movie out of this and use the characters off the cover off the book (Sam is sooooo cute).
Although aspects of Gone can be cheesy at times (such as Brianna’s decision to be called the Breeze), I have never found such an enjoying book. I litterally just finished it a few minutes ago. Sequel? Heck ya! Just as that green blob said when Sam and Caine were refusing to poof, “You’ll come to me in the dark place, Caine. You’ll come willingly.” And what do we find on the last page of the book ?(Besides Sam and Astrid’s real first date
Packleader is leading Caine to the darkness.
Read this book!!!!
ok I am 17 years old and I normally like to read books that have people my age or older. When I first opened this book i was a little reluctant because it delt with people of a different age and maturity level. In the first page I was instantly sucked in. I loved this book and the age difference, I found, was easily to ignore. I have to ask though, the sequel is not going to be called “Gone 2″ is it? i think that something more original should be chosen, but that is only my opinion. This was a very entertaining book and I am glad that I read it.
I’m 48 years old and just finished the book. No! I’m not ashamed to be reading teen literature. . . ok maybe just a little. But my daughter who is 15 said it was the best book she ever read. My husband who is a pastor and very seldom reads fiction is reading it as well and loves it. I am also willing to admit that I purchased the book for my sister’s b-day and she just turned 59. She’s enjoying it too. This book has got to become a movie. Who do I need to write. . .:) As a parent, I appreciate the manner in which Mr. Grant is handling Sam’s relationship with Astrid. Keep it righteous for all us parents out here who are trying to keep our teens on the right path. thanks! can’t wait for the next one..
No seriously I don’t know how I’m going to survive untill June without the second one I LOVE IT SO MUCH my favorite book by far
okayy so i just put down this book and it was amazing !
i mean its up there with twilight and harry potter now .
it had its ups and downs but mostly ups !
im going to have very strange nightmares now lol.
but anyways it should so be made into a movie !
it would be AMAZING <3 itotally have a new
fictional crush =)
To Justin
i’m not sure how you missed it but both orc and atstrid have powers by the end of the first book. orc got attacked by the wolves and some sort of gravel sort of filled in his wounds so hes like half gravel and half not (or something like that) and astrid (im not rly sure how to describe it but i’ll try) can see someones importance when she touches them in the book she tells sam that when shes touchs him shes see somthing like streaks in they sky and that sams streak is huge with bunchs of sparks trailing after it (i think thats how she put it)
anyway i totally love the book CANNOT wait till the next one!! i would love to know if the exact date the next one is coming out on if it’s been decided yet and to know if there are really going to be 6 of them!!
OMG!!! I LOVE GONE!!! Go Quinn!!! I hope he gets some kind of power (and stays on the good side!!) I like Mary too!! Has a date been set for the second?!?!?!? I NEED TO KNOW!!!!
I just finished this book, like most people here. It was REALLY good, and honestly, I’m sure it’s gonna be bigger than the Twilight Saga! Twilight was just Vampires and shape-shifters. This book has is all! haha I think Michael Grant did an excellent job at keeping it real the whole way through, and I’m very excited about the next book coming! Supposedly from rumors (which you can never be to sure of), the sequel will be called “Sacrifice”. Oh, boy, that title alone is a little pulling. There were quite a few things leaving me hanging in the end, but hopefully they’ll be tied up in the next book.
Well bottom line, it’s most likely not going to happen until more of the books are established and recognized greater, (like how Twilight didn’t start filming until after all of the books were written and after Eclipse was released), but I sure do hope that it does make the big screen.
As for making a movie, definitely! I personally think i’d do a VERY good job at playing the roll of Edilio
And I’m definitely going to be one of those real big fans that were there before the followers!
Peace Out Everyone!
when is the release date for the sequel to gone ?????
woooooooww! this book was awsome! I have never read a book this good. I was at the library and it was on display I picked it up and read the the first sentence and I knew I had to get it. I think it was better than the harry potter series and twilight.There should definitely be a movie for this book and I’m really lokking forward to the next book!
PS. Who is the model on the cover of Sam he is so Cuuuute! i have to know!
Hey guys!!! I loved the book GONE. It’s the only book i’ve ever decided to read for over 2 hours straight, and i decided i would read it for 6 hours straight. I just couldnt put the book down, it was great. I finished it in three days and it usually takes me a month to finish a 200 page book because i put it down so much. This book was amazing and i am excited for the sequal. Check out my site Craponyoutube.webs.com sometime, im planning on making a video about the book. It definately wont compare though.
We need to hire a famous director to make this book into a Big Screen Film. I really want to see it as a motion picture after reading such an amazing book. And i hate reading
I’m on a riot with posting, but i wanted to add one more thing. I was a huge fan of the TV series Jericho on CBS. I noticed that GONE has a very similar plot line to Jericho, there are alot of things i could connect the two together with. So I wanted to ask Michael Grant if he was inspired by the show. As well as i want all you GONE fans to give the show a try and i promise you will be hooked. It’s no longer on tv but the episodes can be viewed on CBS.com
Just want to let you all know.
The sequel will be called HUNGER <—- great title because they will be short on food in the future. The sequel is coming out May 26,2009 so i cant wait.!!
Promise, this is my last comment for a while….
I’m hoping in the sequel, HUNGER that Michael Grant adresses the issue of growing crops because if they are stuck in a dome they cannot receive rain. I also wonder if on someone’s 16th birthday if they are tried back to the “other side” of the dome, and have to once again say no to whoever it is they want most just to stay in their world. This would be an issue because alot of problems will have occured in a year and many people will want to just leave the FAYZ.
Mr. Michael, I LOVED YOUR BOOK!!!! Please hurry up with Hunger!!! Can’t wait. Gone is on my list of the top books I’ve ever read. Thanx for the pleasure and cliff-hangers!
guys the date for the next book is 5th April 2010. It says it in the back. The book will be called Hunger. And i love Gone. I got it on the 28th April and had finished it 2nd May. Absolutely loved it. Keep up the good work Michael Grant
Okay, people say May 36, April 5th.. I seriously need to know when Hunger is coming out! I am totally hooked on this series and am DYING for the second! Mr Grant, I love you! You have a freakin’ awesome talent for writing books so keeping going! I love GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the boy on the cover goes to my school.
Mr. Grant,
I am a middle school LA teacher. I discovered your book last summer and decided to read it aloud to all 6 of my classes. I read to them for 10 minutes a day, three days a week. It took us nearly all year, but kids didn’t want to miss a day that I read. They loved it. They can’t wait for the sequel and I can’t either.
Wow, I love this book. It’s got an awesome plot, it’s well-writen, and I’m already halfway through the sequel. (“Hunger” seemed like a random name choice at first, but reading it, it makes a lot of sence…)
I think Drake is the most interesting character, the chapeters in his POV are… well, “fun” makes me seem sadistic or something.
Anyways, its a great book! Anyone that happened upon this site by chance, GO READ IT! ^^
[...] few quick links before I continue: Hunger is a Gone novel, which was reviewed here back when it debuted. I also interviewed Michael back in the [...]
Kelly:
What’s his name?
You’re so lucky!!!
WARNING: HUNGER SPOILER!
ok, i wanted to ask michael grant these questions if he still comes on this website and reads the comments:
ok, i read the second gone book, hunger, which was AWESOME by the way, but i couldnt believe drake merwin died… or did he? well, its a huge possibility, since the mine crashed down on him at the end… but lana survived, so i was wondering… can u give me a sneak peak of the next book by telling me if he lives? or would that pretty much ruin it for me? XD just curious! and also, how come in the first book it says, he’s a, “smiling, playful, mean-eyes kid” when he turns out to be an evil, sadistic, mean-eyed kid? just to trick us? just wondering!
Does anyone else think Drake Merwin is undeniably awesome apart from me? All my friends think he’s horrible and want him to die.
So. Good. O.O I finished this within a few hours!!! I have yet to read Hunger since I just finished this book =D Great job I can’t wait for the next one. BTW this needs to be a movie