A few weeks ago I went on a bit of a Star Wars movie novelisation binge. I've read 'em all before anyway, but I thought I'd read them all in episode order, because I lacked any other bedtime reading, because I was too tight to spend money on any other bedtime reading, and because I'm that dedicated/sad a fan to actually do such a thing.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks
Man, this could have been better. I wasn't exactly reading it for the plot since I already knows what happens, but how long did they give Brooks to write this? 6 days? The prose style is very weak. It's all 'Anakin did this', 'Qui-Gon did that', 'Obi-Wan rolled his eyes'. It also got a bit tiring repeatedly reading about 'Qui-Gon's leonine features'.
What was good was the extra information the novel divulged, such as the origins of the Sith and Darth Bane. There's also a nice chapter near the beginning of the novel which features Anakin tending to a wounded Tusken Raider he finds in the desert. This part is particularly effective as foreshadowing events in Episode II, and could almost form a standalone short story.
For the most part, though, it's not written particularly spectacularly, you don't really get much of an insight into the characters except for Anakin in certain scenes, and there's a niggling Point of View issue - when the hero Jedi fight Darth Maul at the end, and the scenes are narrated from the Jedi's point of view, for some reason he's always referred to as 'Darth Maul'. But the Jedi don't know his name, so shouldn't he be simply 'the Sith Lord'?
I've not read any of Brooks' other work, so I don't know if this is a fair representation of it. What I will say is if you must read this, borrow it rather than buy it.
I give it 5/10.
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones by R.A. Salvatore
Salvatore's novel is an improvement over the Episode I novelisation. The writing style lends itself to the exciting action scenes. There's a bit more work on the characters, a few more scenes to show Padme's side of the story, but it's not particularly deep material. I did genuinely like the father-son bonding scenes with Jango and Boba Fett (!)
Probably the best part of the book occurs early in the story, when Tatooine's farmers unite in an attempt to rescue Shmi from the Tusken Raiders. Key word being 'attempt'.
Worst part is the love story, which remains just as rubbish as that of the original film, but stereotypical teenage girls may like it, I dunno.
Another to borrow rather than to buy, but the action scenes are pretty cool, so you might try and find it for cheap somewhere.
I give it 7/10.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover
This is excellent. It goes beyond being a mere adaptation and becomes a full-blooded standalone novel. The characters are wonderfully realised, the action scenes are page-turning thrill-rides, the emotions are palpable, the writing style throughout is accomplished, evocative and insightful. It’s brilliant.
It’s hard to choose the best part of the novel, so I’ll choose my two favourite scenes. Both are from Anakin’s point of view. One is when he kills Count Dooku, and the other is when he takes his first breath in the cybernetic suit people will recognise as Darth Vader. Both scenes are written in a way gives you everything you expect, plus things you didn’t think of, in a manner that is better than you’d thought.
If I was playing Devil’s Advocate, I’d say that a potential deal-breaker would be the narrative can sometimes halt to make detailed character studies – a chapter might be interrupted by a passage beginning ‘This is Obi-Wan Kenobi’, and summarise the character’s life and personality. I personally enjoyed this approach, but it may not be to the tastes of all readers.
All in all, though, I highly recommend this. Moreover, I recommend any work of fiction by this author.
I give it 10/10.
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope by George Lucas (Ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster)
Bit of a weird one. In a way, this is what introduced legions of geeks to Star Wars in the 1970s. It got them excited about the film before the film was released. However, because it’s the first Star Wars book, and because it was written in the style of other popular fantasy novels of the 70s, it can seem very strange indeed to modern eyes.
It’s not bad by any means, just a bit odd in terms of some of its similes and metaphors – they can be wacky even by Star Wars standards. It’s also not a literary masterpiece by any means, but it has a certain charm, with its cosy, straightforward prose style. Doesn’t really offer much besides what you’ve seen on screen.
In terms of reading the series in episode order… this is quite a comedown from the Episode III novelisation, but it is a nice light read.
I give it 6/10.
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back by Donald F. Glut
Oh boy. It’s lucky I’d read these novels before, otherwise this list would end here. Because part way through this particular novel for the purpose of this episodic order thing, I metaphorically threw the book across the room. The writing style is awful, does nothing to pull the reader in, and gives me the impression that Glut was under some sort of horrendous deadline with his family’s lives at stake.
It’s a shame, because The Empire Strikes Back is my favourite film of the saga, and this novelisation really doesn’t do it justice. It’s like the worst fan-fiction some of you may have ever had the misfortune to read on the Internet.
Based on a previous read-through, I suppose it’s readable enough if you’re not that picky. However, it doesn’t really bring the story to life in your head so much as it simply gives you a superficial view of things – you may as well read the screenplay and appreciate the hard work that went into the script.
I’d avoid this one, but if you must read it, definitely borrow it rather than buy it.
I give it 4/10.
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi by James Kahn
Since, for the purposes of this particular episode order review thingy, I stopped reading at Episode V, I’m going to have to go on memory for my opinions on this novelisation. I remember it being good overall, if a little cheesy in places.
The good was insight into the characters and plot. It wasn’t much, but it added charm to a familiar story. It’s like reading a somewhat self-aware grand old adventure book, with swashbuckling ahoy.
However, probably due to unreasonably tight deadlines, the good stuff sandwiches cheese. For some reason, Lando thinks in gambling metaphors. I mean, sure, the character’s a gambler, but reading a character actually drawing analogies to card games in life or death situations is a little off. There are also some unintentionally funny passages – for instance, Leia urges the Ewoks to help the Rebels ‘Because of the trees’. Space battles are a little disappointing – rather than describing the battle, Kahn tends to simply write the pilots’ chatter. Half a page of short dialogue does not an exciting space combat scene make.
Overall, however, it’s a fun, light read.
I give it 7/10.
Phew. Bit of a long post there. Hope it entertained. I have to get back to my story contest entry.
