‘The Host’ makes us wonder if it is possible to peacefully coexist with aliens
Wanderer has to fulfill the task she has been given but can she put her loved ones in danger?
A few lines on the flap of "The Host" read: "Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of their human host while leaving their bodies intact."
Wanderer, the invading "Soul" - who has been given Melanie's body - knew about the challenges of living inside a human; the overwhelming emotions and vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer did not expect - the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish the possession of her mind.
Stephenie Meyer's "The Host" is one of the most compelling and outstanding Sci-Fi books of all time. The story establishes that 'love is the best part of any story'.
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The story narrates the incidences of a post-apocalyptic Earth which has been invaded by a species of aliens called "Souls", and they take over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed.
This book was published in 2008 and people still remember it flatteringly. Hence, when Meyer set the countdown for her new book "Midnight Sun", people assumed that the second volume of The Host might be in progress. Although fans are not upset, many would have preferred and loved a sequel to The Host.
Featuring what may be the first love triangle involving only two bodies, a few more lines from the book flap read: "Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie's loves- Jared, a human who stills lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desire,
Wanderer yearns for a man she has never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love."
The story uncovers many secrets and a lot of different paths Wanderer could choose, each with its unique problems. The question is whether Wanderer can choose the right path. Has humanity lost its loyal self, or has it been hidden in the caves down below? Wanderer has to fulfill the task she has been given but can she put her loved ones in danger?
The book's triumph was succeeded by a film of the same name five years after the official release of the book starring Saoirse Ronan as
Melanie Stryder and Wanderer, and Max Irons as Jared Howe.
However, the movie could not match the book's colossal success and received negative ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. But, we should not judge a book by its cover, or its film.
As we learn new things about Wanderer, we get to know the possibilities the world holds for us. So, is it possible to peacefully coexist with aliens?
