Star Trek Harlan Ellison’s The City on the Edge of Forever: The Original Teleplay is a graphic novel based on Harlan Ellison’s original teleplay for the Star Trek (TOS) episode “The City on the Edge of Forever.” The adaptation was done by Scott Tipton and David Tipton and the art by J. K. Woodward. I read it because I was curious. I was curious because the episode won a Hugo award for Ellison, but he was not happy about it. As a matter of fact, he was very bitter about the changes Gene Roddenberry and his production staff had made to Ellison’s script. So I read it to see if it was, in fact, better than the show which actually aired.
First, let me say that the book was very well done – the art is amazing and the story is easy to follow. Now let’s talk about the differences. First, it wasn’t McCoy who transported to the planet’s surface. It was a drug dealer in danger of being caught. The Guardian is not a big empty circle, but rather a group of men who converse for a while with Kirk and Spock. Then, when history is changed, the Enterprise doesn’t disappear, but is in the hands of a some very nasty people.
Other changes include a lot more interaction with people of the Great Depression, and the fact that Kirk and Spock don’t work for Edith Keeler. (Kirk, of course, does fall in love with her.) There also was an unnecessary linkage to a brooch Edith wore as being the focal point of the change and the unnecessary use of a tramp selling apples to create pathos.
After reading this book, I can see why the producers sought to streamline it and remove a lot of unnecessary characters and extras (perhaps for economic reasons.) One thing I really didn’t like in Ellison’s version is that the dialog of Kirk and Spock did not ring true, and they often said things I would not expect them to say at all.
So, I do prefer the version that aired, though I admit I could be biased from watching it over and over again all these years. However, it’s plain that the changes made the episode more “Star Trek.” Having McCoy being the one to change the past raised the stakes and created more pathos at the end when Kirk prevents him from saving Edith Keeler, certainly more pathos than the death of a stranger
My recommendation? If you like graphic novels, take a look. Otherwise, go to Netflix and watch the episode again.
An Argumentation of Historians by Jodi Taylor is Book Nine in The Chronicles of St Mary’s, a series about time-traveling historians. I came to this book with a disadvantage, not having read any of the previous books. Luckily, Taylor kept me informed with little tidbits about what had happened previously to the protagonist Max and her colleagues. The author also graciously included a humorous list of characters, and while I soon got out of the habit of looking back for each one, it did help me to at least place them by department (i.e, Administration, History, Technical, R&D, Medical, and Security.)
But after I got my footing, it
was a fun little romp. The basic plot of this installment is the attempt to
lure in time-traveling criminal Ronan, whom the Time Police of the future are
after. Long story short, it backfires and Max ends up in 1399.
Taylor writes in an offhand,
humorous style, which I can appreciate, though I generally prefer my time
travel stories of a serious nature. However, I really enjoyed the chapters
devoted to 1399 because those pages contained what I believe all time travel
novels should – a traveler trying to understand the time in which he or she has
landed, getting into trouble, and finding a way out.
Most of the rest of the book
involved Max’s relationships (with husband, bosses, subordinates), as well as
increased subterfuge by the criminal Ronan.
I enjoyed the book, largely due to the flow and the characters, but also the way Taylor describes in detail the historical periods into which the characters travel. I love history and am always open to learning more. So, although I saw the humor almost as a distraction, I am tempted to pick up one or two more books in the series, if only to catch up.
Parable of the Sower is a dystopian novel by Octavia E. Butler, set in California in the near future, where climate change has wreaked havoc with society. Crime is out of control, poverty widespread, and the government practically useless. People who can afford to, live in walled communities and take their lives in their hands when they venture out. When disaster strikes her community, teenage Lauren has no choice but to set out on foot, trying to find someplace better. Accompanied by two acquaintances from the community, she meets others along the way, but the question is always: Who can she trust?
Lauren is not your usual young woman. She is a “sharer,” a person who possesses hyperempathy, and can feel pain and other sensations that she sees in others. That makes her trip even more dangerous because the government will capture and enslave people with that trait. But her way of coping makes her even more special. She is developing a new belief system known as Earthseed, the culmination of which is to leave the planet and start over again elsewhere.
Parable of the Sower has somewhat of a cult status for its take on climate change, the responsibilities we, as humans, have for the planet, and its relationship to certain Bible passages. It is definitely a book with a message; it is also a well-written science fiction novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Come for the story and stay for the message. You won’t be sorry.
Nightmare’s Eve by Stephen H. Provost is a book of sixteen stories and ten poems designed to creep you out. Some border on science fiction and others are pure horror. A man who makes deals against his life. A trip through time which helps two strangers. A horrible tale of reincarnation and dreams. These are just a few examples of Provost’s weird tales.
Some of the plots remind me of stories I have read before but with their own twist, and others are totally original. None were too shocking or gory, and none kept me awake at night, but some did make me shiver. Provost creates a sense of dis-ease in readers to keep them reading one after the other.
In recent years the only books of horror I’ve found worth reading have been those by Stephen King. But as much as I love his work, there’s only so much he can produce. I’m glad there’s another author who can provide me with these tales.
My young adult novel Time Changes Everthing was released on November 15, 2018. It is available in paperback on Amazon and Barnes & Nobles websites. A discounted print version as well as a downloadable pdf are available through my author page on the Outskirts Press website. A Kindle version has been ordered and should be out in a couple of weeks.
I expect to be doing some readings and signing in the New Year and will let you know the dates once they are scheduled.
