Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ihuxi.UUCP Path: utzoo!decvax!tektronix!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!houxm!ihnp4!ihuxi!okie From: okie@ihuxi.UUCP (cobb) Newsgroups: net.startrek Subject: Re: The Novels are Great !! Message-ID: <1232@ihuxi.UUCP> Date: Tue, 16-Jul-85 17:45:39 EDT Article-I.D.: ihuxi.1232 Posted: Tue Jul 16 17:45:39 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 17-Jul-85 21:24:20 EDT References: <623@panda.UUCP> Distribution: na Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 46 Xref: tektronix net.startrek:03895 > Some people have recently mentioned that most of the > Star Trek novels are either bad or "simply not Star Trek". > I'm wondering if I'm alone ... > ...Compared to the TV episodes, I think the ratio of > good to bad is higher. The depictions of Alien cultures and > customs are more detailed in the novels. The Star Trek > characters are generally more vivid, especially characters > like Uhura, Sulu, and Scotty. Any comments ?? Yes, a few comments. I agree that several of the ST novels are (in my opinion) good. I think those that portray most of the novels as "simply not Star Trek" are a bit narrow-minded, or perhaps enamored of their own view of the ST universe to the exclusion of others. My personal favorites include the two books by Diane Duane, "The Wounded Sky" and "My Enemy, My Ally," and David Gerrold's "The Galactic Whirlpool." The first two are rich, enjoyable portrayals of events in a busy ST universe; the last is a well-told tale that follows most of the "canon" (if there is such a thing) but in a light-hearted and, at times, tongue-in-cheek manner. In each case, characters are well- developed, situations are nicely plotted, and details abound (not to mention puns; case in point: what's the single reason Lt. Kevin Riley is in "The Galactic Whirlpool?"). Another favorite is John Ford's recent novel "The Final Reflection." While set in an earlier version of the ST universe (pre-Enterprise), it has the same characteristics mentioned above. I also like the development of the Klingon race into more than just baddies who don't use deodorant and who like to kick little old ladies across the street. As portrayed in this novel, they're a worthy spacefaring power to match up to the Federation, with an interesting history, psychology, and culture of their own. Others that I've enjoyed include "The Covenant of the Crown," "Spock: Messiah!", "Corona," and the two "Phoenix" novels. Now, to be sure, I haven't enjoyed all of the novels. There are some that I've read and thrown away, and a few that I've never finished (such as "Mutiny on the Enterprise" or "The Trellisane Confrontation"). But by and large, a number of authors have managed to flesh out ST's universe and characters in print (though often in slightly different directions) at least to my enjoyment. "I'll take you home again, Katholyn." B.K.Cobb ihnp4!ihuxi!okie