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Post by dem bones on Jun 29, 2012 21:46:49 GMT
Donald F. Glut - The Empire Strikes Back (Sphere, 1980) Blurb THE EMPIRE RETURNS! FROM A DISTANT GALAXY THE, IMPERIAL FORCES SET FORTH ON A DEADLY MISSION TO DESTROY THEIR SWORN ENEMY: LUKE SKYWALKER!
On the icy world that was planet Hoth, Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance found the ideal outpost. A lonely wasteland at the outer reaches of the universe, the perfect setting to conduct their war against the tyranny of the Empire.
OR SO IT SEEMED.
Until Imperial forces, led by their dark warlord, tracked down the Rebel base. And launched a ferocious and devastating attack from space which threatened to destroy the Alliance forever, and send Luke on a desperate mission ... with 'the Force' as his sole protection!
A STAR-BLASTING SPECTACULAR FROM LUCASFILM, DISTRIBUTED BY 20th CENTURY-FOX.
And don't miss: STAR WARS by George Lucas - also available in Sphere Books. It's probably fair to assume that, in terms of sales, Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back has been Don Glut's greatest success to date. It's hard to imagine Bugged! topping a best-sellers list for two consecutive months. Haven't read any of the Star Wars books, never watched any of the films either - until now, there didn't seem any reason to give them a go - but the fact that this is the work of the man who gave the world Terror Of Frankenstein has secured it a place on the to read pile. It may still prove too tough an ask as, up until now, i've despise the very idea of Space Operas with every fibre of my being. Don't suppose he sneaked in a Burt versus Lynn Powell love scene, did he?
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Post by andydecker on Jun 30, 2012 9:10:05 GMT
Haven't read any of the Star Wars books, never watched any of the films either - until now, there didn't seem any reason to give them a go - but the fact that this is the work of the man who gave the world Terror Of Frankenstein has secured it a place on the to read pile. It may still prove too tough an ask as, up until now, i've despise the very idea of Space Operas with every fibre of my being. Don't suppose he sneaked in a Burt versus Lynn Powell love scene, did he? I don´t know if the novelisation of Star Wars really counts as a Space Opera. Compared to a good SO this is more a childrens game.  Just take Ian M Banks who is more complex in a chapter then George Lucas in three movie  But Burt vs Lynn? I can´t remember as I read this 30 years ago, but I think not. It is all about Han and Lea  No other woman in the equation. |
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Post by cauldronbrewer on Jun 30, 2012 11:45:27 GMT
Haven't read any of the Star Wars books, never watched any of the films either - until now, there didn't seem any reason to give them a go - but the fact that this is the work of the man who gave the world Terror Of Frankenstein has secured it a place on the to read pile. It may still prove too tough an ask as, up until now, i've despise the very idea of Space Operas with every fibre of my being. Don't suppose he sneaked in a Burt versus Lynn Powell love scene, did he? I don´t know if the novelisation of Star Wars really counts as a Space Opera. Compared to a good SO this is more a childrens game. Just take Ian M Banks who is more complex in a chapter then George Lucas in three movie But Burt vs Lynn? I can´t remember as I read this 30 years ago, but I think not. It is all about Han and Lea No other woman in the equation. I read all of the Star Wars novelisations when I was a kid, and this is probably the best of them (based on memories from thirty years ago). That's not surprising--unlike the first movie's screenplay and novelisation, it wasn't written by George Lucas (who got lucky once but is a terrible, terrible writer). Instead, Leigh Brackett wrote the first draft of screenplay, Lawrence Kasdan wrote the final draft of the screenplay, and, of course, Glut wrote the novelisation. Like Andy says, there are better space operas out there. My personal favorite is James H. Schmitz's preposterous The Witches of Karres. Also: No real love scenes of any sort; just some banter between Han and Leia, plus a little kissing. Not even a gold slave-girl bikini (that would be Return of the Jedi). |
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Post by Jojo Lapin X on Jun 30, 2012 14:25:16 GMT
unlike the first movie's screenplay and novelisation, it wasn't written by George Lucas It is with great reluctance I admit to knowing this, but the original STAR WARS novelization was actually written by Alan Dean Foster. |
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Post by dem bones on Jun 30, 2012 14:33:20 GMT
Ah. thank you gents. I'd been hoping that Mr. Glut may have adopted a 'Dean Owen' approach to the raw materials but i don't suppose 20th Century Fox would have stood for it. |
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Post by cauldronbrewer on Jun 30, 2012 14:49:22 GMT
unlike the first movie's screenplay and novelisation, it wasn't written by George Lucas but the original STAR WARS novelization was actually written by Alan Dean Foster. I did wonder about that, despite the credit listing Lucas. Makes sense, given that Foster also wrote Splinter of the Mind's Eye (which is probably a better thematic fit for this board--it even includes a Cthulhu-like god). It is with great reluctance I admit to knowing this Indeed, you have outed yourself as a Star Wars geek. |
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Post by Jojo Lapin X on Jun 30, 2012 16:40:41 GMT
Indeed, you have outed yourself as a Star Wars geek. No, I have not! That is the only STAR WARS-related fact I know. You have to believe me! Oh, I knew it was a mistake to mention it! |
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Post by Knygathin on Jul 1, 2012 13:35:15 GMT
Foster also wrote Splinter of the Mind's Eye (which is probably a better thematic fit for this board--it even includes a Cthulhu-like god). That was the first science fiction novel I ever read. I don't remember a single thing from it, except that I enjoyed it. It is with great reluctance I admit . . . It's nothing to be ashamed of to be a Star Wars geek! Who can deny Phil Tippett? Phil Tippett, and the other master artist visionaries, is what Star Wars is about - forget the story, enjoy the visuals! (except for some of the more inane fantasy characters.) I don´t know if the novelisation of Star Wars really counts as a Space Opera.  Here is a real Space Opera by Jack Vance. An ensemble of highbrow opera singers and classical musicians take their concert out in space to visit other worlds on a tour, to show the aliens that human art, and especially opera, is far superior to all others. But the response is not quite as positive as they have been expecting. Together with Showboat World I think this is Vance's funniest book. |
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Post by andydecker on Jul 1, 2012 20:11:50 GMT
is what Star Wars is about - forget the story, enjoy the visuals! (except for some of the more inane fantasy characters.) If only you could kill on the DVD Lucas´ unbearable dialogue in parts 1 to 3.  |
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Post by Jojo Lapin X on Jul 1, 2012 20:24:49 GMT
Here is a real Space Opera by Jack Vance. An ensemble of highbrow opera singers and classical musicians take their concert out in space to visit other worlds on a tour, to show the aliens that human art, and especially opera, is far superior to all others. But the response is not quite as positive as they have been expecting. Together with Showboat World I think this is Vance's funniest book. It succeeds in spite of its concept, really. |
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Jul 2, 2012 18:57:12 GMT
Just finished reading it again last week. the Wodehouse aunt is a classic - I also think Showboat world is the funniest
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Just take Ian M Banks who is more complex in a chapter then George Lucas in three movie 
No other woman in the equation. 
