Masterful Characterization

As I write this, I realize it's been nearly 4 months since we lost Leonard Nimoy. This is the first Star Trek novel I've read since then, and having been a fan for decades, it's a hard one to wrestle with. I rarely bother with Trek audiobooks for two reasons. First, most of them are abridged, which bothers me to no end. Second, most of them feel like second-rate fan fiction, rarely expanding upon the mythos in a way that seems credible or even in a way that matters. I used to devour the novels like mad in my teens and 20s, and when they were good, they were really good. But then the novel series as a whole hit a rut, and I stopped cold. I think I've read maybe 3 Trek novels since in the past 20 years. I'm discovering that I may have a need to reinvest in some of those missed novels, and as such Pocket Books and Audible need to deliver some more unabridged content because I can't read paper books as quickly as I used to back then.

A.C. Crispin is one of the few Trek authors that I've always respected. She understood the core characters, she had a grasp for what made Trek tick in a way that felt right (a rarity since the mid-90s), and above all she understood the Vulcans. Her work in this regard always seemed an extension of the foundations laid out by D.C. Fontana (and that legacy continues here). And yet... this novel is one that was published years after I bailed out of that rut. So now, decades later, I find it on Audible, unabridged, and so very timely. The result is a bittersweet reunion of sorts.

In the wake of the Abrams reboot unceremoniously killing Spock's mother Amanda in the equally unceremonious scrapping of Vulcan, this book carries this old fan back to the versions of characters I knew so well... to be confronted with Amanda's death. The effect of how well this is delivered is that you grieve right along with Spock and Sarek. At the same time, you get to know all three of them again in the years before the original series via Amanda's journal entries. That's layer one of the nostalgia factor this plays upon.

Layer two of that nostalgia is that this novel is focused in the wake of Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, aka the final voyage of the Enterprise under Kirk's command, or so we were told. This book not only ignores the sentimental conclusion to that film, but it outright defies the illogical conclusion that Enterprise even needed decommissioning so quickly as Kirk and Sarek are pulled into a conspiracy that goes far deeper than the film suggested. What else is nostalgia for, if not to help revisit old friends right where you last left them decades before? While it's a bit distracting at times, it should be noted that the accepted timeline of the films (which you can now find easily with a quick online search) goes right out the window here, suggesting frequently that the events of Trek III take place a mere three years before this book. And that is literally the worst thing I can say about this book.

Layer three of the nostalgia involves reiterating how much time has passed by showing us how much Kirk's nephew has grown, a character not mentioned since his single appearance in the original series. As he's become the target of the conspiracy, designed to bait Kirk, this aspiring Starfleet cadet is the sole survivor of the family line who must ultimately prove his worthiness to the name. So we get the past, the present, and the future in one cohesive story that picks up right where the original generation left off, helping to fill in some of the gaps on the road to The Next Generation. The conspiracy deals not only with the Klingons, but also with the Romulans in a plot that stretches back over 70 years. And because we've been given Trek content since this novel's publication, we can see now how some of this potentially points back to the fallout of events decades before that on the timeline that we watched on Star Trek: Enterprise. That's four major Trek races, three generations of beloved characters, and a plot that fills in some of the unanswered questions in two otherwise fuzzy eras (pre-TOS and post film series), all delivered by a writer who knows how to juggle all of this and make it count.

Aside from the compressed timeline, everything else here feels right. The politics of Star Trek are prominently on display. The racial characterizations and stereotypes are both played upon and swept aside as this uncertain era unfolds. The individual characters are written to spec, with all of their mannerisms and foibles in place. As a bonus, the narrator gives a cadence to his performance of them that stops short of mimicry or an outright spoof, so the effect comes across honestly. The overall result is a book that comes across as both welcome fan service and solid Star Trek in the grand tradition that the powers-that-be seem to have forgotten. For this fan, it's like coming home.

26 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

More Unabridged TOS Please

No mind blowing sci fi apart from that already established in the source material but a well crafted story. I don't know why there aren't more unabridged Trek Titles. Unless this is attributable to Pocket's perceived need to hire Trek actors to read the books. This narrator was wonderful, he subtly impersonates the characters as portrayed by the performers associated with them but more importantly he lends just the right amount of tone and texture to the prose. If more full size Trek books appear I'll certainly spend my credits on them. Well, if they're TOS. The TNG and after stuff is probably better but I just don't get a geek on for it.

24 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

UNABRIDGED is always the best versions

Would you listen to Sarek again? Why?

lol, well no because I don't need to re-listen to anything. But definitely loved listening to it!

Which scene was your favorite?

the scenes telling of serek's past and relationship with Amanda.I also liked how they introduced the part of Spock's decision to try and see if bringing volcans and romulans together again. TNG didn't really explain much, and since they reset the series with the new movie, don't think we'll get much explanation of the after math.

Any additional comments?

I don't see the point of having ABRIDGED versions of books. the 14 hrs didn't feel like 14 it felt more like 5 and I was wanting more at the end. This was a good book, almost like comfort and I like the additional characters. I wish they talked more about how the other volcans adapted and the young couple.

18 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Star Trek at it best!

Absolutely love this story! The best of Star Trek adventure pacing with some real human emotions, feelings, and relationships! I hope there are more from AC Crispin and Nick Sullivan (who does a stellar job of both male and female!).

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Great story

This story takes place after the final movie with the original cast (Star Trek VI : The Undiscovered Country). Well written, and well narrated; made me start looking for other pocket books with no luck. Hope Audible produces more....

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

And they say Vulcans are emotionless? Fools...

Would you listen to Sarek again? Why?

Oh yes. The story...the different look at the dynamic of a father and a son...delightful!

What did you like best about this story?

You get to learn so much about Sarek, that you hither to have no real knowledge of other than he is a prominent Vulcan.

What about Nick Sullivan’s performance did you like?

He gives a depth to the characters that is very real.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Most defenitely!

Any additional comments?

If you're ready to learn more about Vulcans, then listen to or read this book.

7 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Awesome UNABRIDGED Production

Does what a good Star Trek novel should do: Sarek takes the reader further than the series would dare to go. It rides the success of "Spock's World" and the reader gets more info about the lives of Spock's father Sarek and mother Amanda. The adventures of Kirk's nephew, Peter were also quite entertaining. Nick Sullivan does a dutiful job as narrator (I'd listen to him again). I hope to see more unabridged Star Trek novels in the future.

5 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Grief

If you need to express your grief, but cannot , read this book. It will take you down memory lane and shake loose those memories that will help you deal with the pain. Grief is not just about loss, but also about remembering the joys and holding those to your heart, rather than the pain.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

A lot of fun for Star Trek fans

Definitely worth it if you're a Star Trek fan. It takes place just after Star Trek V (Kirk and Bones escape the Klingon prison planet, the crew show up just to foil the assassination of the Chancellor, etc). It ties much of the political upheaval that must have occurred afterwards into an interesting story. The narrator does a great job of taking you back to the original characters with inflections and pace. Strongly recommend!!! I am stingy with a "5," and this one's a strong B.

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

This book was worthless. Wasted money!

Would you try another book from A. C. Crispin and/or Nick Sullivan?

NEVER!

What was most disappointing about A. C. Crispin’s story?

Endless gratuitous sexual references.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Nick Sullivan?

TBD

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Sarek?

TBD. I deleted the book by Chapter 3.

Any additional comments?

Audible should have a rating system which would identify objectionable content. Such as language, sexual references or situations; for all books, not just the few I've noticed within your book lists. I must say that I am more and more disappointed with Audible. My book acquisition request was received, confirmed via e-mail, and subsequently ignored. Between this and the wasted money, I am seriously considering canceling my membership as soon as I dispose of my existing credits.

2 personnes ont trouvé cela utile