Has anyone read the novel?

Hi. I read the book when it first came out because it had the logo graphics of the movie proclaiming that it was a 'soon to be released movie' by Irwin Allen. It was certainly better than the film, with many differences, including most of the action taking place in New York City during a sanitation strike. With all the garbage piling up in the streets, etc., it created a haven for the killer bees to thrive and multiply. I recall a scene in the book describing a swarm of bees engulfing the Verranzano-Narrows Bridge (connects Brooklyn to Staten Island). The book was definitely more tense and dramatic than Irwin's 'lame 'n tame' feature film version.

I agree with the other poster--the book is much better. I think the only scene they have in common is the picnic near the beginning, and even then it's very much changed in the movie; everything else in the plot is pretty much completely different. The book seems to have been a genuine attempt to dramatize what an African bee invasion would be like, and what scientists would attempt to do to stop it...which sounds kind of dry, but it's really pretty well done.

I don't know if Arthur Herzog ever said anything about it, but I assume he was either appalled at the movie or just happy with the paycheck.

I read the novel many years ago. The film is much different. The setting in the novel is actually New York City.