Alan Dean Foster’s Novelization of Star Wars: The Force Awakens — In Review

Review

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

New York Times Bestselling Author, Alan Dean Foster

* This review does contain official content from The Force Awakens novelization by Alan Dean Foster and may be considered as SPOILERS to those who have not yet read or seen the film. Therefore, if you read beyond this point, you do so at your own risk.*

Footnote: (Provided by DEL REY News)

Nearly 40 years ago, Alan Dean Foster wrote the first Star Wars book with George Lucas: the novelization of Star Wars. The book released in December of 1976, only months before Star Wars came to theaters and became a cultural phenomenon. In 1978, Foster kicked off an era of Star Wars fiction with Splinter of the Mind’s Eye.

Now we have come full circle with New York Times bestselling science fiction master Alan Dean Foster returning to the Star Wars galaxy to write the newest installment, Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Del Rey Hardcover; On Sale 1/5/16).

 

Synopsis:

 

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

First comes the day

Then comes the night.

After the darkness

Shines through the light.

The difference, they say,

Is only made right

By the resolving of gray

Through refined Jedi sight.

— Journal of the Whills, 7:477

 

Years have swept on by, as time tends to do and yet, it’s as if nothing has changed. But as always, there are two sides to every story and two different versions of the truth. We all have a sense of our own righteousness and with that, no one ever feels that they are committing wrongful acts or at least, we believe, that what we are doing is for the greater good. The old saying, many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our point of view, is still very much at large …

Our hero of hope, Luke Skywalker, is nowhere to be found and in his place, a new darkness has risen to shroud the galaxy. The First Order, built from the remnants of the Empire has sought out and marked Skywalker, the last of the Jedi, to be their next target for destruction.

General Leia Organa, with the aid of the Republic, leads a valiant Resistance in hopes to find her brother, Luke and secure his help in order to once again, restore a peaceful morality to the galaxy.

Leia has dispatched her most fearless pilot on a classified mission to Jakku, where a trusted friend from the days of yore, has recently recovered possible instructions to Luke’s location.

 

Review:

To be honest, I read this book for two reasons: first off, because (Host of The Cantina Cast & CEO) said,” I had too” and secondly, because I was hoping it would answer any questions I would have left after seeing the movie. Why? Well, so I could discuss it on a knowledgeable basis and no, it did not answer any of the remaining questions I had and ‘til this very moment, still have. So, does this mean that I did not enjoy the novelization adaptation of The Force Awakens? Umm … no, in fact, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Ok, so it didn’t fulfill my desire to know WHO is Rey and WHY Luke really ran away, but it did, however, shed a lot more light on the characters thoughts and emotions. In a sense, where it lacks to satisfy, it quenches my thirst for character intuitiveness – a minds-eye view of their innermost thoughts and feelings. Oh I know we totally see on screen, the whirlwind of emotions these characters go through, but we don’t know for sure, what they are thinking at every single given moment. That’s where this novel fills in the gaps and ultimately, ends up being a nice complimentary piece to the film – a befitting piece to the enigmatic puzzle of Star Wars storytelling.

Does it contradict the storyline of the film? Yes. But keep in mind, as so generously provided us with this info via twitter, the edits to the script were made after the novelization was already complete. Which also validates, WHY we saw certain images in Official Trailers that never made it to the big screen of cinema, i.e. Maz Kanata handing over the Skywalker lightsaber to Leia. Also, Starkiller Base does not power-up by the suns energy, as it does in the film, its power source is that of the darkness. Now, as to why this was changed? Perhaps, what looked visually captivating on screen didn’t carryover onto print for literary imagery. Of course, I’m only speculating here with a possible rationalization, it just seems to make sense … from a certain point of view.

There is one aspect in which it offers more than the film and that is, the dialogue. If you have read or if you choose to read the novel, you will discover additions to many conversations, between characters that were not included on screen. For me, this was a treat and in some instances, added more depth to the individual(s) and their scenarios. In addition, this literary installment includes a photo still/movie imagery segment and it’s nothing short of spectacular! Again, it doesn’t give any direct confirmation on certain questions that we’re all dying to figure out, but it does carry-out that timeless tradition of Star Wars and that is, its continual ambiguity.

In short, do I recommend this novel to you, the fan(s)? Well, as a wise pirate once said, “the belonging you seek is not behind you, it is ahead.” Interpretation is left up to you, the reader, the fan, and what you get out-of-it is, only what you take with you.

 

Alan Dean Foster’s novelization of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in Del Rey Hardcover; On Sale January 5, 2016 and was available in kindle/audio (Random House Audio) format on December 18^th, 2015. Disney and Lucasfilm trademarked or TM where indicated. All rights reserved.