SnarkyGoblin

This feels like a a dessert after the main series

Reviewed: 01-13-24

Andrew Robinson was instrumental in creating, Garak, one of the standout characters of Star Trek: Deep Space 9. This book is now a peek behind the curtain of this character. Despite having greatly enjoyed the series, and vaguely remembering seeing this book on bookstore shelves long ago, I had never read it. Origin stories often feel tawdry and contrived, presenting a series of ridiculous circumstances to produce some character the fans like. This story, however, shows real character progression and growth, from within a system that condemns any compassion as "sentimentality." Elim Garak is the product of a society that has many good elements, largely embodied in Tolan Garak, but which has embraced the will of the state, embodied in Enabran Tain and Mila Garak. By blending stories between before the series and after, Robinson shows an excellent character arc. It is a book for people already invested in DS9, but feels like a just reward for our patience.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Poe: A dumpster fire brighter than the sun

Reviewed: 09-07-21

What more can be said of such an inspirational writer as Edgar Allen Poe? Baab-Muguira has found a way. The writer details delving into Poe at a low point in her life. So many of us love his writings, but she found a way to love his life. And what a life! I had not known, beyond hearing of the circumstances of his death, how bad his life really was. He not only ruined his own life, but brought down everyone around him! His wife he harangued into marriage, then helped into an early grave by never earning enough for more than a chilly room and scant morsels of food. His friends he borrowed from, never paid back, and those he did not actively alienate had to suffer through his drinking binges. Those who came out to hear a lecture from him instead got to hear epic poems and cosmic musings that left them biting their nails in frustration.
With tongue in cheek the author delineates the program drawn from Poe's life. Especially for those who also search him out at low points in their lives, there is genuine inspiration, in that, despite everything wrong with his life (and everything was wrong with his life), he never gave up. Indeed, we would likely not remember him nearly so well, were it not for the mistakes he made, particularly in picking possibly the world's worst friend to write his obituary. The truth is: Poe succeeded by ruining himself and others, and you can, too.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful