john@moncol.UUCP (John Ruschmeyer) (10/28/85)
In recent months, it seems to have become fashionable for the authors of
Star Trek novels to show alliances between Federation and Klingon (or
Romulan) personnel. While this practice has it roots in early novels such
as PRICE OF THE PHOENIX and FATE OF THE PHOENIX, it has become very
pronounced in the novels published in the last year or so. Of the 10 most
recent novels published by Pocket Books, at least 6 have elements of such
an alliance between so-called enemies. PAWNS AND SYMBOLS by Majliss Larson
is another such book.
Jean Czerny is a Federation botanist working on Sherman's Planet. When a
freak earthquake destroy her lab and traps her in the wreckage, she is
rescued by a Kilingon ship commanded by Kang ("Day of the Dove"). Czerny
becomes a pawn in a desperate series of plots and counter-plots aimed at
ending a famine that threatens the Klingon Empire and, ultimately, at
getting the Federation and Empire together at the bargaining table.
If you're a fan of action, there's plenty to go around. There is also
enough time for some tenderness, also.
The author should be given special credit for his (her?) homage to both
the major and minor characters from the series. Besides the credible
characterizations of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, familiar minor characters such
as Ensign Tamura of Security, Transporter Chief Kyle, and a certain trader
in exotic animals have a way of showing up at the odd moment.
Major problems? Since the book revolves around Jean Czerny's adventures,
usually prominent characters such as Captain Kirk naturally take a lesser
role. This may bother some purists. (This is perhaps the most major
difference between the episodes and the novels. On tv and in the the
movies, Kirk is usually a larger-than-life character while in many of the
novels, he must stand by while his officers are at the center of the
action.)
Continuity nitpickers may want to check certain elements of the novel
against John M. Ford's THE FINAL REFLECTION. The latter novel seems, for
the most part, to be the definitive work on Klingon culture.
On the whole, PAWNS AND SYMBOLS is an acceptable Star Trek novel and
should be on the must-read list of any fan.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this review are mine alone. The
people in my office, while being Trek fans, do not usually read the novels.
I am reasonably certain that Monmouth College has not corporate opinion on
anything to do with Star Trek.)
--
Name: John Ruschmeyer
US Mail: Monmouth College, W. Long Branch, NJ 07764
Phone: (201) 571-3451
UUCP: ...!vax135!petsd!moncol!john ...!princeton!moncol!john
...!pesnta!moncol!john
"It all started out as a mild curiousity in a junkyard...
and now it's turned out to be quite a spirit of adventure."ccrdave@ucdavis.UUCP (Lord Kahless) (10/29/85)
> > Continuity nitpickers may want to check certain elements of the novel > against John M. Ford's THE FINAL REFLECTION. The latter novel seems, for > the most part, to be the definitive work on Klingon culture. > Not totally definitive. The novel doesn't follow all points. Note: Kang calls Mara his WIFE, not consort. Lord Kahless
mcewan@uiucdcs.CS.UIUC.EDU (10/30/85)
>> Continuity nitpickers may want to check certain elements of the novel >> against John M. Ford's THE FINAL REFLECTION. The latter novel seems, for >> the most part, to be the definitive work on Klingon culture. >> > Not totally definitive. The novel doesn't follow all points. Note: > > Kang calls Mara his WIFE, not consort. consort 1. a husband or wife, esp. of a reining monarch. -the Random House Dictionary. Scott McEwan {ihnp4,pur-ee}!uiucdcs!mcewan "You can't have everything. Where would you put it?"
ccrdave@ucdavis.UUCP (Lord Kahless) (11/03/85)
> > >> Continuity nitpickers may want to check certain elements of the novel > >> against John M. Ford's THE FINAL REFLECTION. The latter novel seems, for > >> the most part, to be the definitive work on Klingon culture. > >> > > Not totally definitive. The novel doesn't follow all points. Note: > > > > Kang calls Mara his WIFE, not consort. > > consort 1. a husband or wife, esp. of a reining monarch. > -the Random House Dictionary. > > {ihnp4,pur-ee}!uiucdcs!mcewan Consort has several definitions. They are about as close to wife as thief is to robber. There is a subtle difference. Consort implies someone in union. Wife implies the marriage ceremony. Note, the definition of consort in relation to European royalty implies that the consort is of inferior social position. If the terms are identical, why did Ford use the word consort in the first place?