From a Certain POV: Empire Strikes Back - Part 1

[colls]

Welcome to the midway checkpoint. This month's book is From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back by various authors


1. Which story sticks out most for you?

2. What themes/characters are you enjoying so far?

3. Are you still stuck on Hoth?

COMING UP NEXT
February: Rise of the Red Blade by Delilah S. Dawson
March: THEME: Film Novelization

Book & theme suggestions can be left on on this post

Comments

[colls]

1. I've only made it about 1/3 of the way through the stories, but the ones that stick out the most to me so far are 'Hunger' b/c it's narrated by Sam Witer, 'Ion Control' because I liked the story about Toryn Farr and that her sister was also on base, and finally the one about the Tauntan 'She Will Keep Them Warm'. Actually a lot of stories stick out I guess.

2. Toryn Farr, Dak, and the runner guy from 'A Good Kiss'

3. Yes.

[brokenmnemonic]

I thought that She Will keep Them Warm was really good, but I also feel rather sad about it given what happens to the Tauntaun and her daughter...

Is it just me, or does it feel like with this anthology compared to the previous one, the authors are doing more to create original characters that fit in with what we've seen while telling stories that give us more about the universe, rather than writing stories specifically about minor characters we saw on screen?

[colls]

I originally read it in 2020 and only skimmed it when we reread it here last year, so don't recall that level of nuance to be honest. I recall (vaguely) some of the characters/stories though. I will take your word for it! But it makes sense that the authors upped the ante , so to speak, especially with the ever expanding canon Disney is putting out. Maybe they're seeing if TPTB would bite on a full novel or something? IDK

[brokenmnemonic]

1. I've been trying to remember to drop bookmarks in for the stories that really stick with me this time. So far, the stories that I've enjoyed the most have been: Heroes of the Rebellion, because I really liked the way it started out with the protagonist having various set preconceptions about what they were doing, and finished with the realisation that the rebellion was built on everyone, and the importance that each person had with even the smallest things they did. Against all Odds, for taking that brief glimpse we got of Dak in Empire Strikes Back and adding so much to his character that I didn't expect - I found it one of the most moving stories I've read so far in the anthology. Amara Kel's Rules for TIE Pilot Survival (Probably) managed to be funny but also give me a couple of TIE pilots I actually like, particularly the way the protagonist is so clear-eyed about how the Empire treats her and all the other pilots, and why she carries on flying anyway. There Is No Cave, which I felt echoed a little bit the story in the ANH anthology about the creature that lives in the trash compactor - I really enjoyed how much depth it's possible to give a giant space worm! Vengeance, for the way it managed to explain a lot more about that particular tree and Yoda's time on Dagobah. Beyond the Clouds, for continuing to show that there are amore unions needed...

2. Dak, Amara Kel, a tauntaun... oddly Captain Canonhouse from The Final Order, Toryn Farr and Dashanalawook, so far...

3. I'm currently on Bespin, watching the Empire do what the Empire does...

[colls]

I did love the story about Dax, it was pretty emotional. And 'Heroes of the Rebellion' reminded me a bit of some of the characters from Battlefront.

Bespin seems like it'll be warmer, at least. Between all the snow and cold here and listening to stories about the cold... I've broken out the fuzzy socks. LOL