The Relic
Encyclopedia
Relic is a 1995 novel
by Douglas J. Preston
and Lincoln Child
. It received critical praise, and was a New York Times Bestseller. As a techno-thriller
, it commented on the possibilities inherent in genetic manipulation
, while also being critical of museum
s and their role both in society and in the scientific community. It is the basis of the 1997 film The Relic
.
's American Museum of Natural History
, a few select characters must solve a string of brutal murders
that take place inside the museum during the days preceding the opening of "Superstition", a spectacular blockbuster exhibition.
Evidence begins to point suspiciously to a doomed expedition undertaken by the museum several years earlier to the Brazil
ian rainforest
in search of the lost Kothoga tribe. It becomes apparent that behind the murders is Mbwun (translation: "He Who Walks On All Fours")—the Kothoga's crazed lizard
god, whose father happens to be a demon analogous to Satan
, according to Kothoga legend. A relic depicting Mbwun is to be shown for the first time at the upcoming exhibition.
It also appears that several museum leaders had known about previous murders on the museum's premises and that they had conspired
to keep these murders a secret so as not to damage the reputation of the museum.
based on the book was released in 1997, but changed several aspects of the book, omitting numerous characters and changing the setting to the Chicago Museum of Natural History rather than the New York Museum of Natural History (fictional but strongly based on the American Museum of Natural History
). The film is directed by Peter Hyams
and stars Penelope Ann Miller
as Dr. Margo Green, Tom Sizemore
as Lt. Vincent D'Agosta, and Linda Hunt
as Dr. Ann Cuthbert.
Key points of the plot are given away throughout the duration of the film. In the novel, the explanation is delivered in the last few pages, giving the novel a twist ending. The movie also has a similar twist during its climax.
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
by Douglas J. Preston
Douglas Preston
Douglas Preston is an American author who has written seventeen popular techno-thriller and horror novels, four alone and the rest with Lincoln Child...
and Lincoln Child
Lincoln Child
Lincoln Child is an author of seventeen techno-thriller and horror novels. He often writes with Douglas Preston. Many of their novels have become bestsellers, and one, Relic, was adapted into a feature film...
. It received critical praise, and was a New York Times Bestseller. As a techno-thriller
Techno-thriller
Techno-thrillers are a hybrid genre, drawing subject matter generally from spy/action thrillers, fantasy/war novels, and science fiction...
, it commented on the possibilities inherent in genetic manipulation
Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the direct human manipulation of an organism's genome using modern DNA technology. It involves the introduction of foreign DNA or synthetic genes into the organism of interest...
, while also being critical of museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
s and their role both in society and in the scientific community. It is the basis of the 1997 film The Relic
The Relic (film)
The Relic is a 1997 science fiction/horror film directed by Peter Hyams and based on the best-selling novel Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The film stars Penelope Ann Miller, Tom Sizemore and Linda Hunt. The original music score was composed by John Debney...
.
Plot summary
In and around a fictionalized version of New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
, a few select characters must solve a string of brutal murders
Serial killer
A serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
that take place inside the museum during the days preceding the opening of "Superstition", a spectacular blockbuster exhibition.
Evidence begins to point suspiciously to a doomed expedition undertaken by the museum several years earlier to the Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
in search of the lost Kothoga tribe. It becomes apparent that behind the murders is Mbwun (translation: "He Who Walks On All Fours")—the Kothoga's crazed lizard
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
god, whose father happens to be a demon analogous to Satan
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
, according to Kothoga legend. A relic depicting Mbwun is to be shown for the first time at the upcoming exhibition.
It also appears that several museum leaders had known about previous murders on the museum's premises and that they had conspired
Conspiracy (crime)
In the criminal law, a conspiracy is an agreement between two or more persons to break the law at some time in the future, and, in some cases, with at least one overt act in furtherance of that agreement...
to keep these murders a secret so as not to damage the reputation of the museum.
Major Characters
- NYPD Lieutenant Vincent D'AgostaVincent D'AgostaDetective Lieutenant Vincent D'Agosta is a fictional character appearing in the novels of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. He is an Italian New Yorker and a main character in several different storylines.-Fictional character biography:...
, a police officer working to solve the murders. - Margo Green, a graduate student working at the museum.
- Dr. Frock, her advisor and department head at the museum.
- William Smithback, Jr., an ambitious journalistJournalistA journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
who is writing a book about the exhibition for the museum. - Special Agent Aloysius X. L. PendergastAloysius PendergastAloysius Xingu L. Pendergast is a fictional character appearing in novels by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. He first appeared as a supporting character in their first novel, Relic, and in its sequel Reliquary, before assuming the protagonist role in The Cabinet of Curiosities.Pendergast is a...
, a secretive and highly resourceful FBI Special Agent.
Minor Characters
- Dr. Ian Cuthbert, deputy head of the museum; is aware that something is in the museum.
- Gregory Kawakita, eventually discovers what/who Mbwun really is.
- John Whittlesey, the anthropologist who goes looking for the lost Kothoga tribe; has not been heard of since he left for his expedition, although the crates containing his findings did make it to the museum, having been sent back before his disappearance.
Sequel novel
- Relic was followed by the bestselling sequelSequelA sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
, ReliquaryReliquary (novel)Reliquary is the 1997 New York Times best-selling sequel to Relic, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The legacy of the blood-maddened Mbwun lives on in "Reliquary", but the focus is shifted from the original museum setting to the tunnels beneath the streets of New York City.-Plot summary:The...
in 1997. - Aloysius PendergastAloysius PendergastAloysius Xingu L. Pendergast is a fictional character appearing in novels by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. He first appeared as a supporting character in their first novel, Relic, and in its sequel Reliquary, before assuming the protagonist role in The Cabinet of Curiosities.Pendergast is a...
, who is introduced in Relic, also appears in several of Preston's and Child's following novels, along with Smithback, Green, and D'Agosta.
Film adaptation
A filmFilm
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
based on the book was released in 1997, but changed several aspects of the book, omitting numerous characters and changing the setting to the Chicago Museum of Natural History rather than the New York Museum of Natural History (fictional but strongly based on the American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History
The American Museum of Natural History , located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, is one of the largest and most celebrated museums in the world...
). The film is directed by Peter Hyams
Peter Hyams
Peter Hyams is an American screenwriter, director and cinematographer, probably best known for directing the 1984 science fiction adventure 2010 , Capricorn One, the comic book adaptation Timecop and the Arnold Schwarzenegger horror/action film End of Days.-Family:Hyams was born in New York...
and stars Penelope Ann Miller
Penelope Ann Miller
Penelope Ann Miller , sometimes credited as Penelope Miller, is an American actress...
as Dr. Margo Green, Tom Sizemore
Tom Sizemore
Thomas Edward "Tom" Sizemore, Jr. is an American film and television actor and producer. He is known for his roles in films such as Saving Private Ryan, Strange Days, Pearl Harbor, Heat and Black Hawk Down....
as Lt. Vincent D'Agosta, and Linda Hunt
Linda Hunt
Linda Hunt is an American film, stage and television actress. After making her film debut playing Mrs. Oxheart in Popeye , Hunt portrayed Billy Kwan, her breakthrough performance in The Year of Living Dangerously...
as Dr. Ann Cuthbert.
Key points of the plot are given away throughout the duration of the film. In the novel, the explanation is delivered in the last few pages, giving the novel a twist ending. The movie also has a similar twist during its climax.
Changes from the novel
| Name | Character description from the novel | Character description from the film |
| Margo Green | Is described as an introverted graduate student. Had an indirect role in the killing of the creature by assisting Pendergast. | Is a Doctor of evolutionary biology. Is brownish blonde, feisty, and assertive. In addition, she kills the creature. Played by Penelope Ann Miller Penelope Ann Miller Penelope Ann Miller , sometimes credited as Penelope Miller, is an American actress... |
| Lt. Vincent D’Agosta | Described as overweight, and approaching early middle age; disdainful of superstition Superstition Superstition is a belief in supernatural causality: that one event leads to the cause of another without any process in the physical world linking the two events.... s |
Is younger and more athletic. Also extremely superstitious. Played by Tom Sizemore Tom Sizemore Thomas Edward "Tom" Sizemore, Jr. is an American film and television actor and producer. He is known for his roles in films such as Saving Private Ryan, Strange Days, Pearl Harbor, Heat and Black Hawk Down.... . |
| Dr. Frock | Survives by hiding in an office in his wheelchair while Margo and Pendergast run on ahead to get to a place where they are able to kill the creature. | Is slain by the creature; character is played by James Whitmore James Whitmore James Allen Whitmore, Jr. was an American film and stage actor.-Early life:Born in White Plains, New York, to Florence Belle and James Allen Whitmore, Sr., a park commission official, Whitmore attended Amherst Central High School in Snyder, New York, before graduating from The Choate School in... . |
| Dr. Ian Cuthbert | Survives a close encounter with the monster, at the expense of his sanity, his boss, and his public relations director. | Changed to a female character, Dr. Ann Cuthbert, played by actress Linda Hunt Linda Hunt Linda Hunt is an American film, stage and television actress. After making her film debut playing Mrs. Oxheart in Popeye , Hunt portrayed Billy Kwan, her breakthrough performance in The Year of Living Dangerously... . |
| Gregory Kawakita | An intellectual loner, prefers to research on his own. Born in Japan Japan Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south... , raised in Britain United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... . It is shown in the epilogue that he figured out the origins of the creature. |
Is renamed Greg Lee; he is a Chinese-American and is depicted as obsequious and underhanded. He is played by Chi Moui Lo. |
| Agent Pendergast | Smooth-talking, urbane, and extremely clever FBI Agent from New Orleans | He is completely written off; his role is combined with Lt. Vincent D’Agosta. |
| William "Bill" Smithback | Entertaining but nosy journalist writing a book for the museum's "Superstition" exhibit; friend of Margo Green. Helps D'Agosta get a group of guests, including the Mayor Mayor In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city.... of New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... , out of the Museum. |
Completely cut from film, no replacement. |
| The Museum Monster | Named "Mbwun" (translation: "He Who Walks On All Fours"). Description, at best, is a "scaly primate." Characterized by an unusual smell and glowing red eyes. The DNA DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in... of this creature includes gecko Gecko Geckos are lizards belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from 1.6 cm to 60 cm.... genes. Is described as being "as fast as a greyhound Greyhound The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed... with the intelligence of a human Human Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus... ." Was much stealthier than its movie counterpart. Received more sympathy in the novel; both Margo and Ian Cuthbert described it as "lonely" and "sad." Used to be archaeologist Julian Whittlesey. Transformation time may have been the same, but the time from arrival in New York New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... to killing humans is measured in years rather than weeks, and begins with small animals. There is some evidence of the monster retained some sentimental feelings of his human life. The packing crate that contained the Mbwun plant the monster needed was stored for a time at the museum and allowed the monster to survive without killing. Only after the crate and dried plants were moved beyond its reach did it turn to killing. The creature's skull and hide were durable enough that bullets fired at its head were deflected. It is finally killed by Agent Pendergast who shoots it through its eye socket with a large caliber handgun. |
Named "Kothoga" (the name was used for the tribe worshipping/creating Mbwun in the novel). Is more massive and somewhat insect-like, it has large mandibles sprouting form the side of its face, similar to a stag beetle Stag beetle Stag beetles are a group of about 1,200 species of beetle in the family Lucanidae, presently classified in four subfamilies Some species grow up to over 12 cm , but most are about 5 cm .-Overview:... , resembles a reptilian tiger Tiger The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts... and walks and runs like a big cat. It had a hairy spine and a forked tongue, with long and curvy sharp teeth, it also has a long and flexible reptillian tail. Instead of red, its eyes are green. There was also very little sympathy towards it. Used to be archaeologist John Whitney, and it has subtle human features as it has wide shoulders, and a human like forehead. Began killing humans almost immediately upon arrival in Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... and actually killed the crew of the ship that brought it to the city. The crate containing the plant was destroyed almost immediately upon arrival in the museum in Chicago as a precaution against possible biohazard. NOTE: Actually, there are two museum monsters in the movie; the other is a bug which eats the Kothoga plant and, as a result, becomes a massive and hideous exaggeration of itself. Margo crushes it to death with a biochemistry textbook. |