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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
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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