Peter Heller on the Books Behind 'The Dog Stars' and New Releases
In a recent chat with The New Yorker, author Peter Heller shared insights about his 2012 book 'The Dog Stars,' which has been turned into a film by Ridley Scott featuring Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, and Margaret Qualley. The story centers on survivors Hig and Bangley in a post-pandemic Colorado. Heller acknowledged the influence of Herman Melville's 'Typee,' Nevil Shute's 'On the Beach,' and 'Ishi in Two Worlds.' He enjoys Red Pine's 'Poems of the Masters' for bunker reading and is inspired by T.S. Eliot's 'Four Quartets.' Heller also recommends Álvaro Mutis's 'The Snow of the Admiral.' He appreciates 'Hamnet' and grants filmmakers creative leeway. Upcoming titles include Robert Harris's 'Agrippa' (Sept 1), Marlon James's 'The Disappearers' (Sept 1), Grace Krilanovich's 'Acid Green Velvet' (Sept 8), and Emily St. John Mandel's 'Exit Party' (Sept 15). Mackenzie Scott is set to release a historical novel on Substack.
Key facts
- Peter Heller's novel 'The Dog Stars' (2012) is adapted into a film directed by Ridley Scott, starring Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, and Margaret Qualley.
- The novel is set in an abandoned airport in Colorado, featuring survivors Hig and Bangley and a dog named Jasper.
- Heller cited Melville's 'Typee' as an inspiration, and Nevil Shute's 'On the Beach' for its survival philosophy.
- He would choose Red Pine's translation of 'Poems of the Masters' for a bunker, praising Tang Dynasty poets.
- T.S. Eliot's 'Four Quartets' is a poem that haunts him.
- His favorite novel to recommend is Álvaro Mutis's 'The Snow of the Admiral'.
- Upcoming books: Robert Harris's 'Agrippa' (Sept 1), Marlon James's 'The Disappearers' (Sept 1), Grace Krilanovich's 'Acid Green Velvet' (Sept 8), Emily St. John Mandel's 'Exit Party' (Sept 15).
- Mackenzie Scott is reportedly publishing a historical novel on Substack.
Entities
Artists
- Peter Heller
- Jacob Elordi
- Josh Brolin
- Margaret Qualley
- Ridley Scott
- Herman Melville
- Nevil Shute
- Red Pine
- Li Bai
- Xue Tao
- Du Fu
- Li Shangyin
- T.S. Eliot
- Álvaro Mutis
- Mark L. Smith
- Robert Harris
- Marlon James
- Grace Krilanovich
- Emily St. John Mandel
- Mackenzie Scott
Institutions
- The New Yorker
- Substack
Locations
- Colorado
- Polynesia
- Tang Dynasty
- Rome
- Kingston
- Jamaica
- California
- L.A.
- United States