Hardcover
Published in 1976
by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
193 pages.
Paperback
Published in 1998
by Ballantine Books
278 pages.
The year is A.D. 922. A refined Arab courtier, representative of the powerful Caliph of Bagdad, encounters a party of Viking warriors who are journeying to the barbaric North. He is appalled by their Viking customs -- the wanton sexuality of their pale, angular women, their disregard for cleanliness . . . their cold-blooded human sacrifices.
But it is not until they reach the depths of the Northland that the courtier learns the horrifying and inescapable truth: He has been enlisted by these savage, inscrutable warriors to help combat a terror that plagues them -- a monstrosity that emerges under cover of night to slaughter the Vikings and devour their flesh . . .
Note From Michael
The story behind this novel appears in an essay in the paperback edition. The short version is, I wrote EATERS on a bet that I could make an entertaining story out of "Beowulf."
It's an unusual book. Readers either like it, or they don't. I'm quite pleased with the movie ("13th Warrior"), which I think captures the feeling of the novel very well.
The 13th Warrior Produced by: Touchstone Pictures Directed by: John McTiernan Written by: William Wisher and Warren Lewis Based on a novel by: Michael Crichton Starring:
Antonio Banderas
Diane Venora
Omar Sharif
Originally Released: 1999 Academy Awards: Runtime: 103 minutes
Based on Michael Crichton's best-selling novel "Eaters of the Dead," Touchstone Pictures' "The 13th Warrior" is an exciting and unforgettable adventure thriller from director John McTiernan. When an important emissary (Antonio Banderas) is abducted by a band of warriors, he is forced to join their quest to battle mysterious creatures legendary for consuming every living thing in their path.
