Don GlutRecensioni

F/SF

HC Book Club Edition

First Edition-- First Special Edition 1980

0,5

CRÍTICA: http://www.planocritico.com/critica-o-que-aconteceria-se-jane-foster-tivesse-enc...

Meu Deus, como isso é ruim!

Yeah, let's be real I would not be giving this five stars if it wasn't Star Wars. The writing isn't very good. All tell, no show. Doesn't really bring much more depth to any of the characters. But hey, it's Star Wars, so I love it. Let's discuss some of the quotes!

"She began to laugh harder now. "I'd just as soon kiss a Wookiee."
"I can arrange that." He moved closer to her, and she looked radiant even in the cold light of the ice chamber. "Believe me, you could use a good kiss. You've been so busy giving orders, you've forgotten how to be a woman. If you'd have let go for a moment, I could have helped you. But it's too late now, sweetheart. Your big opportunity is flying out of here."
[...]
"You're as cold as this planet!"
"And you think you're the one to apply some heat?"
"Sure, if I were interested. But I don't think it'd be much fun."

Like oh my fucking gods, if this isn't the best example of less is more I've ever seen then I don't know what is. Why was those last lines necessary? Ruined one of the best exchanges in cinematic history with some casual sexism and whatnot. I'm sorry, but this is so not Han!? He shouts "you could use a good kiss" and then runs away because he's piiiiissed that Leia doesn't wanna kiss him, not because she's not woman enough wtf????? Idk, at no point do I ever get the feeling that Han considers himself gods gift to women (that's so fanon) and that Leia should be lucky to have him. At the most he makes jokes about being good-looking, but I doubt he ever gets over that "a princess and a guy like me"-thing. Fuck off with this.

(Yeah, the Leia/Han scenes kept bothering me in this book. Get used to hearing about it.)

[Leia falls into Hans arm while aboard the Millenium Falcon.]
"Why, Princess," he said, pleasantly surprised, "this is so sudden."
At that, she began to pull back. "Let go," she insisted, trying to move out of his arms. "I'm getting angry."
"Han saw the old familiar expression of arrogance beginning to return to her face. "You don't look angry," he lied.
"How do I look?"
"Beautiful," he answered truthfully, with an emotion that surprised him.
Leia felt suddenly, unexpectedly shy. Her cheeks flushed pink and, when she realized she was blushing, she averted her eyes. But she still did not really try to get free.
Han somehow couldn't let the tender moment last. "And excited," he had to add.
Leia became infuriated. once again the angry princess and haughty senator, she quickly moved away from him and drew herself up to her most regal bearing. "Sorry, Captain," she said, her cheeks now reddened in anger, "being held by you isn't enough to get me excited."
"Well, I hope you don't expect more," he grunted, angrier at himself than at her stinging words."

Once, again, UGH. Here's some good meta on the scene as it appears in the movie, and having read that this part irks me even more. ESPECIALLY since Han says "I hope you didn't expect more" in the book rather than the excellent "sorry, sweetheart, I don't got time for anything else". Also why would he ruin everything with the "and excited"-line here? Like it's fucking obvious he wants to hold Leia and kiss her and then it's all romantic and then he ruins it for no reason??? Nah, I'm not buying it.

Long white hair was parted down the middle and hung down on either side of the blue-skinned head.

YODA IS FUCKING BLUE.

[Leia and Han have their "dialogue before their first kiss, v similar to the movie except Han doesn't use Leia hurting herself as an excuse to take her hand, he just does it]
"Before she could finish, Han Solo drew her to him and felt her body tremble as he pressed his lips to hers."

I'm nitpicking, but I don't like that he draws her to him. I like it in the movie better where they kiss each other, rather than having "this time she didn't resist" pointed out to me. And they're not interupted by 3PO which means they have to end it by themselves and it gets weird. I don't like it.

Out of the darkness a light appeared - the blue flame of a just-ignited laser sword. In its illumination Luke saw the looming figure of Darth Vader raise his lighted weapon to attack, and then lunge.

Darth Vader has a blue light saber!!! I think this is the first time in the novels the color is described on any light saber, and it does make it sound like they are all blue. Was that originally planned?

"I love you," she said softly. "I couldn't tell you before, but it's true."
He smiled his familiar cocky smile. "Just remember that, because I'll be back."

I've heard that this is how the line originally appeared in the script, but I've also heard - I think - that he was meant to say "I love you too". I know the story of why it was changed, and I can't believe that exchange would've even close to as famous if it had stayed this way. It's cute, in a way, but not as epic as "I know".

"No," Vader replied calmly. "I am your father."

Then again some things are exactly as in the movie and those are kinda the best parts. So far.

Oof, these old comics really haven't aged well when it comes to writing women.

This collection of novelizations of the original trilogy of the Star Wars franchise is based on film scripts that Alan Dean Foster (ghostwriting for George Lucas), Donald F. Glut, and James Kahn used to bring the films to the printed page. Ultimately only Glut’s treatment of The Empire Strikes Back is the best of the bunch as it was readable, and the characterizations were good. Unfortunately, Dean’s Star Wars and Kahn’s Return of the Jedi while each having one good thing to them were overwhelmed by either poor writing or horrible internalization of characters along with a myriad of other issues to go along side them. I would recommend watching the films over the reading this collection if you’re a general reader, but if you want to dip your toe into the novelizations go for The Empire Strikes Back.

Star Wars by George Lucas
The Empire Strikes Back by Donald F. Glut 3/5
Return of the Jedi by James Kahn 2/5

If you don't know about Star Wars

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...

This particular edition contains all three original Canon/Saga stories (Episode IV, V, VI) and is what you pretty much expect if you've seen any of those movies.

For those who have not:
A New Hope follows a young man named Luke Skywalker on his adventures from his desert planet home through space and his eventual involvement in a rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Hero's journey, wise mentor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), smart-ass rogue (Han Solo) with an alien sidekick (Chewbacca), droids (R2-D2 & C3PO), space battles, a rescued princess (Leia).

The Empire Strikes Back finds the group on an ice planet when they're discovered and have to make a daring escape. Luke has a vision and must seek out an old Jedi Master on the planet Dagobah. At the same time, Han and crew detour to the planet Bespin and the mining platform of Han's old friend, Lando Calrissian. The Empire is in hot pursuit and the friends find themselves in a no-win situation against Sith Lord Darth Vader and the Bounty Hunter Boba Fett.

The Return of the Jedi sees Luke fully realizing his Jedi potential in daring rescues and an end-all battle against the Death Star over the forest planet of Endor. The stakes are higher than ever for the rebellion and the deep secret Darth Vader revealed to Luke on Bespin still haunts him.

As far as space operas go, this one is the EABA and set the bar for most modern (re: post-1977) space films prior to common use of CGI. It was a phenomenon unto itself. There are inspirations from samurai films, westerns, and other adventure movies as well. There's a hero's journey, coming of age, despair, survival, character growth and redemption, even a frenemies to lovers trope exists. This has many other great themes and motifs to study for film and fiction.

Recommended for readers as young as 5th grade. And I totally recommend watching the movies first.

**All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

What a great read! The Star Wars trilogy novelization is written by three different authors (one for each movie) and all of them captured the space spirit perfectly. If you like Star Wars or movie novelizations in general, you should certainly check this out!

It's always a treat diving back into the Star Wars universe, even though I've long since deemed the novels less than completely fulfilling. After the runaway success of the first film (and presumably decent sales of the first novel, penned by George Lucas) they hired a regular author to adapt the Empire Strikes Back for readers. Glut may be a bit easier to read and a touch less awkward than Lucas, but the story still comes off as quite pulpy, driven by the action-filled plot and jumping quickly from storyline to storyline with little grace. The written story does provide audiences with the same behind the characters glimpses as the first novel, though, which definitely works to the book's benefit as without at least some character development the story would have been far too choppy. Not sure when I'll get to Return of the Jedi, but it was always my favourite of the film franchise, so maybe it will be sooner rather than later.

The best Star Wars film gets a competent and straightforward novelization. As is the case in all novelizations, there are scenes that didn't make it into the movie, especially when Luke is training with Yoda. The book does make it feel like more time is passing in both Luke & Yoda's stories and the Millenium Falcon storyline whereas in the movie it feels as if everything happens in a couple of days. The only startling change is that Yoda is blue instead of green! And Harrison Ford's famous improvised line "I know" is not in the text. It's an entertaining read for fans of the movies.

Star Wars by George Lucas; The Empire Strikes Back by Donald F. Glut; Return of the Jedi by James Kahn.

True to the film.
After there triumphant battle with the empire, the rebels have established an outpost on the freezing planet of Hoth. But of course they cannot escape Lord Vader for long. When he finds the base he pursues with full force and the rebels are forced to flee to the four corners of the galaxy. The epic pursuit leads Han and Leia to the planet of Coruscant where they team up with an old friend of Han's named Lando Calrissian. Good and bad happen in this epic tale. But I'm sure you already knew that 😉
Another great book. Written almost in the form of a screenplay this book is true to the film in nearly every aspect. Even the lines that they say are spot-on. I do believe however that the book came first. With that in mind I would be comparing the movie to the book instead of the book to the movie however it is difficult for me to do so with a movie that I know by heart and have grown up with since I was a child.
This book was very well written very easy to follow and sums up the film very nicely with just enough detail that you can still see the scenes that George Lucas has painted for us.
As the second installment of the Holy Trilogy this is definitely an omnist for Star Wars fans.

The orgy of blood is completely missing from this rather mediocre effort that focuses on softcore lesbian romps in between bursts of incoherent storyline. The story by director Donald Glut sees Dracula (Tony Clay) and his sister Diana (Glori-Anne Gilbert) in California looking for Dracula's lost love Roxanne (Kennedy Johnston). The hunt requires Lord Ruthven (Arthur Roberts) and a bevy of lesbian vampires with Paul Naschy turning up as an out-of-place priest. Technically the film is pretty poor with a cheap shot on video feel which is made worse by an incoherent storyline. An elderly Paul Naschy is a bit player with little to offer and it's left to the great Glori-Anne Gilbert to keep things occasionally appealing and interesting.

Enjoyed this a kid, but as you get older realize that these noveliztions are flat and downright terrible. The book has some good moments. Overall it just fodder for the film. If you want a good star wars book then read splinter of the minds eye. Nothing wrong with this. Just remember to take it for what it is.

Originally conceived as a story host à la The Crypt Keeper for Gold Key's Mystery Comics Digest and Golden Comics Digest, Doctor Spektor proved popular enough to warrant his own series. Co-creator Donald Glut decided to pursue a different tack with the eponymous title. Rather than regulating him to the role of storyteller, The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor followed the titular character and his secretary Lakota Rainflower, a Sioux Indian, on their amazing encounters with vampires, mummies, ghosts, lycanthropes, and a variety of other supernatural nasties. Joined by the extraordinary artist Jesse Santos, Glut penned 24 issues of the largely forgotten title. Thankfully, Dark Horse decided to collect these imaginative stories in a handsome archive edition. Volume One reprints issues #1-7, Spektor's first appearance in Mystery Comics Digest #5 (drawn by Dan Spiegle), a rare 1974 giveaway mini comic that re-cuts and retells The Occult Files of Doctor Spektor #1, and an informative introduction by Glut.

I'll probably have a longer review later but honestly there isn't much to write about here.

Have you seen episodes 4-6 of Star Wars? Well then you have also read these books. They are everything that was on the screen just written down. Only somehow boring and dry.

There is no life to the stories here, it is written like someone watched each movie and transcribed what he or she saw. There is no extra insight into the characters or their motivation or any extra descriptive flourishes to bring it to life in an entertaining way.

Plus there is no warning as you move between each viewpoint. You are with Luke and then suddenly Leia and the Han, etc. it's really off putting.

These books are not for everyone but they are sort of interesting.

My favorite of the SW films.

Coming from a person who has not seen the movies, I was a little disappointed in the first book for one main reason: it's written assuming you have seen the movie. I say this because there is not a lot of description to anything in this book. There is a lot of dialogue, and even would say a lot of internal dialogue, but as I'm reading the book I can not imagine what anything looks like.
The story is interesting, and I will read the other two books in the trilogy.

Update 11/18
If you have seen the movies these books are probably a great addition to the movies, but stand alone with not a lot of knowledge of the movies, these books do not do a great job of describing anything. They probably do a great job going along with the movie (as they were written after the screenpaly was written by George Lucas), but while reading the first book I couldn't picture anything. They didn't describe any of the people, or animals or places very well. A lot of dialogue and thoughts characters had.
The second book did a little better, but was still hard to imagine anything.
The third book did a much better job at describing scenes, people, places, etc.
I would still recommend these to anyone who hasn't seen the movies. I'm going to see the movies this weekend (and will update on whether those who have seen the movies should read the books)½

These are the novelizations of the original Star Wars movies, based on the screenplays (although I think they are based on the original screenplays, since there are some added things that didn't make it to the films). I know Star Wars backwards and forwards, so I knew everything that was going to happen, and I could recite the dialogue from memory as I was reading it on the page. It was cool, though, to read the extra bits of what each character was thinking, which didn't always transfer to the movies. The writing left a lot to be desired, though, especially the scenes between Han and Leia (I guess the authors copied George Lucas's atrocious "romantic" dialogue style...). I'm giving this book a higher rating than I would normally, simply because I love Star Wars. Still, a fun read, and the book cover and front/back inside cover paintings are really cool.

I lived vicariously through a lot of classmates when Star Wars was released in the late 70's - early 80's. Eventually I watched the movies when they were modified to fit on TV screens. Many of the scenes, characters, and creatures were familiar, but I'll admit the overall plot was new to me. I am glad I read the novelizations of the famous movies. Now I'm reading Star Wars 1: Phantom Menace.

Because OF COURSE I would own this edition... :D

More please!

A wonderful, fantastic series. The authors do a good job to keep their writing and voice congruous throughout the various books.