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Star Trek (1987), Paperback
Description
On the otherwise unremarkable planet Direidi, the richest source of precious dilithium crystals ever seen has been found, and both the Federation and the Klingon Empire are determined to have it. Under the terms of the Organian Peace Treaty, the planet will go to the side best able to develop the planet and its resources. So each side sends the prime of its fleet to Direidi -- Captain Kirk and the "EnterpriseTM for the Federation, Captain Kaden vestai-Oparai and his ship the "Fire Blossom for the Klingons. But the Direidians have their own best interests in mind, and their dilithium fortune won't be easily won by either side.
Language
Original language
English
User reviews
LibraryThing member RobertDay
I was recommended this book - the only Trek novelisation in my collection, honest! - by a friend who told me that it was a fine comic novel that just happened to be set in the Star Trek universe. And she was right! From the opening, where the chief Trek characters are summarised by their breakfast
The ending is perhaps the weakest part of the novel, with a sequence of increasing silliness which British readers of A Certain Age will immediately recognise as a Brian Rix farce (a species of innocuous sex comedy which inevitably ends with various characters rushing from room to room in a house or hotel without any trousers on).
This novel must have been sufficiently liked by those writing for Trek as one incident in it appears in an episode of 'Next Generation' - I'll leave it to dedicated Trekkers to decide what and where (clue - it's not one of the funny bits). The late John M Ford was one of America's less-recognised sf and fantasy authors. On the strength of this book, he merits further examination.
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habits ("Bones McCoy was NOT a morning person."), through encounters with Klingons who are not, for a change, cardboard cut-outs, the whole thing rewards the reader with a sense that this is what the Star Trek universe would probably be like to live in - about as daft under the surface as our own.The ending is perhaps the weakest part of the novel, with a sequence of increasing silliness which British readers of A Certain Age will immediately recognise as a Brian Rix farce (a species of innocuous sex comedy which inevitably ends with various characters rushing from room to room in a house or hotel without any trousers on).
This novel must have been sufficiently liked by those writing for Trek as one incident in it appears in an episode of 'Next Generation' - I'll leave it to dedicated Trekkers to decide what and where (clue - it's not one of the funny bits). The late John M Ford was one of America's less-recognised sf and fantasy authors. On the strength of this book, he merits further examination.
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LibraryThing member Murphyslawyer
In the High and Far-off Days, O Best Beloved, when authors could play with their Trek commisions, John M Ford showed how it could be done. Inflatable starships, a milkshake dispenser gone horribly wrong, and a cast of hundreds whose sole aim is to keep the Federation and the Klingon Empire
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entertained and annoted in equal measure. Show Less
LibraryThing member lycomayflower
Weird, weird Star Trek book in which the Enterprise contingent and some Klingons attempt to convince the inhabitants of a dilithium-rich planet that their respective governments would be the better choice for developing mining rights on the planet (under the Organian Peace Treaty, see). Too bad the
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natives would rather lead the whole lot through a comedy routine to exasperate them to the point of agreeing to natives' terms outright rather than going a couple of rounds with the diplomats. It's absurd, and I think it's good absurd. It's just . . . I prefer my absurdity on a bed of reality (think Wodehouse), and this was a little too . . . absurdity on a bed of crazy leaf with a side of crack juice for me. Show Less
LibraryThing member MerryMary
At first, I was helplessly confused by all the silliness in this story. When I got to the untangling and the explanation, I laughed with delight. "I get it - wow, clever idea!" Overblown, perhaps, but I did enjoy seeing these oh-so-important and sacred characters look so foolish.
LibraryThing member DirtySnowball
It's a musical comedy. A quite good one.
LibraryThing member angharad_reads
Awfully silly! I was fairly confused during most of the zaniness. Includes a classically farcical physical comedy scene involving rushing around between mixed-up hotel rooms, clothes, uniforms, and identity.
LibraryThing member JudithProctor
If you have a fondness for black and white movies, farce and slapstick commedy, then this book may appeal to you.
Otherwise, it probably won't. It was dragging for me by the end, but farce isn't my cup of tea.
Otherwise, it probably won't. It was dragging for me by the end, but farce isn't my cup of tea.
LibraryThing member usagi
Wacky, wild, and fun.
LibraryThing member Nialle
Some of the humor is growing obscure with age, but it's still the cleverest fan-fiction out there and a good laugh for anyone who enjoyed the fourth original series movie (same pace, perhaps even more hijinks).
LibraryThing member FirstWord
This was more a script of mixing comedy with science fiction. I found myself rushing to the end, not because it was a cliffhanger but because I wanted to finish it. The comedy, I'm afraid, didn't carry me off as a reader.