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stephen_arvidson's review
4.0
“It was the only way she could outrun Carl Wade” – Mulder to Scully (p.140).
Empathy is a young-adult novelization of the third season episode of The X-Files titled “Oubliette.” Set in Washington State, a young high-school girl, Amy Jacobs, is kidnapped and imprisoned by a mentally unstable photographer named Carl Wade. FBI Special Agent Mulder discovers a psychic connection between the recently kidnapped victim and Lucy Householder, a troubled woman who was kidnapped by the same man seventeen years earlier. Mulder attempts to use this empathic connection to help solve the case, but discovers that the ordeal may be too traumatic for Lucy to handle.
Empathy is the most somber and heartrending book in this series; it depicts a child abduction scenario and explores the tortured psychology of a former kidnap victim, how abject her life has become as a result of her trauma. What appeals to me most about this sobering story is its stark portrayal of the tormented women who live with the emotional scars inflicted by such ignominious men as Carl Wade—and the idea that the past can never be escaped, that violence and pain can linger for years and years.
Interestingly, Empathy reveals largely unseen side of Mulder. His character is often portrayed as driven, insensitive, and all-too focused on his passionate quest for the Truth, with little consideration for the lives and feelings of others. “Nothing else matters to me,” he has said to Scully on more than one occasion. Yet, in the course of this story, Mulder’s own sense of empathy is brought to the forefront and he exhibits genuine commiseration for Lucy Householder; he is deeply astounded by her ability to function in society in spite of her prolonged imprisonment in Wade’s dark dungeon. Installments like Empathy illustrate the sensitive nature tucked beneath Mulder's cool and cynical exterior, one that comes to the fore in such televised episodes as “Roland” and “The Field Where I Died” wherein Mulder struggles to help those being victimized or exploited by someone with greater ability and influence.
Despite its difficult subject matter, this book is a thoughtful, moving, and sentimental read with many sympathetic characters.
Empathy is a young-adult novelization of the third season episode of The X-Files titled “Oubliette.” Set in Washington State, a young high-school girl, Amy Jacobs, is kidnapped and imprisoned by a mentally unstable photographer named Carl Wade. FBI Special Agent Mulder discovers a psychic connection between the recently kidnapped victim and Lucy Householder, a troubled woman who was kidnapped by the same man seventeen years earlier. Mulder attempts to use this empathic connection to help solve the case, but discovers that the ordeal may be too traumatic for Lucy to handle.
Empathy is the most somber and heartrending book in this series; it depicts a child abduction scenario and explores the tortured psychology of a former kidnap victim, how abject her life has become as a result of her trauma. What appeals to me most about this sobering story is its stark portrayal of the tormented women who live with the emotional scars inflicted by such ignominious men as Carl Wade—and the idea that the past can never be escaped, that violence and pain can linger for years and years.
Interestingly, Empathy reveals largely unseen side of Mulder. His character is often portrayed as driven, insensitive, and all-too focused on his passionate quest for the Truth, with little consideration for the lives and feelings of others. “Nothing else matters to me,” he has said to Scully on more than one occasion. Yet, in the course of this story, Mulder’s own sense of empathy is brought to the forefront and he exhibits genuine commiseration for Lucy Householder; he is deeply astounded by her ability to function in society in spite of her prolonged imprisonment in Wade’s dark dungeon. Installments like Empathy illustrate the sensitive nature tucked beneath Mulder's cool and cynical exterior, one that comes to the fore in such televised episodes as “Roland” and “The Field Where I Died” wherein Mulder struggles to help those being victimized or exploited by someone with greater ability and influence.
Despite its difficult subject matter, this book is a thoughtful, moving, and sentimental read with many sympathetic characters.
kerry2046's review
5.0
I was far too young to have read this when i first did and it got me into the x files... I love the x files!
wyrmbergmalcolm's review
3.0
A direct novelisation of the TV episode "Oubliette" this competently chronicles the events of the show. Nothing more, nothing less.
sshabein's review
3.0
You know, this was surprisingly good for what is the YA book adaptation of an X-Files episode. The writing at the end feels a bit rushed, and not nearly enough characterization time is spent with Scully compared to Mulder, but it's overall not bad.
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