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From: tli@uscvax.UUCP (Tony Li)
Newsgroups: net.startrek
Subject: Re: Book Review: Uhura's Song
Message-ID: <1456@uscvax.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 19-Jan-85 03:27:32 EST
Article-I.D.: uscvax.1456
Posted: Sat Jan 19 03:27:32 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 22-Jan-85 05:07:09 EST
References: <1411@uscvax.UUCP> <287@topaz.ARPA>
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Organization: CS&CE Depts, U.S.C., Los Angeles, CA
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Saul Jaffe @ Rutgers (topaz)
> 	When I saw a book titled "Uhura's Song" I fully expected
> the book to be primarily about Uhura.  I was delighted that in the
> first quarter of the book my expectations were well met.  Uhura's
> knowledge of the alien's language and culture made her the lead
> figure in the story.  I was very disappointed that as the book
> progressed, she faded into the background as usual.  Why is it that
> male authors have the females hidden in the background and female
> authors tend to have everyone fade into the background *except* the
> female character that represents them?  

Yea, she didn't do a great job with Uhura.  And before Uhura faded out, she 
seemed much more mushy than usual.  Generally I think of Uhura as one of the
most courageous females on board (unlike Janice Rand).  This is NOT a good
book for Uhura fans.  And that makes the title highly misleading.

> 	Spock spends most of the book trying to figure out who or
> what Dr. Wilson really is.  Instead of trying to turn his fine mind
> to the solution of the problem, or trying to understand the alien
> culture they have been exposed to, he studies Evan.  Most illogical.
> An even worse crime is that in one scene in the book she has Spock
> eating Shishkabob - meat!  Totally unthinkable for any Vulcan.

Well, I'll agree with the Shiskabob, but I don't find anything wierd about
Spock studying Evan.  I'd say that it's clear from the start that she's
definitely pretty odd.  Of course, we on the outside realize that she's only
the next re-incarnation of Janet Kagan, combined with Sgt. York, and a good
hunk of Superman (;-), but to Spock she must seem pretty anomalous.

> 	Jim Kirk also is very down played.  The resourceful, brave
> leader figure seems to somehow turn into someone who has to rely on
> others (like Evan) to do his thinking for him.  He too spends most
> of his time trying to *understand* Evan but in terms of another
> possible conquest.

Not to mention the fact that he seems really relaxed about the time
pressure.  He seems to be willing to invest large amounts of time to doing
the Walk, partying and general carrying on, all in the midst of an epidemic.
Ms. Kagan had the makings of some real tension here, but she missed it.  Too
bad.

> 	I was also sadly disappointed in the ending.  The book
> seems to pace itself well until the cure for the ADF syndrome is
> found.  At that point, Ms. Kagan rushes to get all of the loose
> ends tied up before the end of the book.  The whole explaination
> about the mysterious Evan Wilson is badly done and is barely
> understandable.

Quite true.  In fact, things seem to break down about half-way through the
Walk.

> 	I will however give credit where credit is due.  The alien
> society that Ms. Kagan created was very well done in my opinion.
> And the reader was just as mystified as the Enterprise crew about
> their culture and customs.  Although I would have liked to ask a
> few baby-questions for myself.

Like:  Where's Papa Cat?  Did you see one?  I didn't.

> 	Personally, I like the work of Diane Duane much better.
> If you have not yet read any of her stories I suggest you read
> either "The Wounded Sky" or "My Enemy, My Ally" and then compare
> it with "Uhura's Song.  I think you'll notice the difference.

I have an do, and like both of the above.  They're definitely excellent.
I'm still not distressed with Ms. Kagan though...  

Cheers, 
Tony ;-)
-- 
Tony Li ;-)		Usc Computer Science
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