TOS The Three Minute Universe by Barbara Paul Review Thread (SPOILERS)

Discussion in 'Trek Literature' started by Julio Angel Ortiz, Dec 21, 2011.

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How Would You Rate This Book?

  1. Outstanding

    1 vote(s)
    25.0%
  2. Above Average

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. Average

    2 vote(s)
    50.0%
  4. Below Average

    1 vote(s)
    25.0%
  5. Poor

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. Julio Angel Ortiz

    Julio Angel Ortiz Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Pennsylvania, USA
    So, I came across this old TOS novel and the blurb sounded kind of interesting (though the name "Sackers" for a race sounds a bit rubbish).

    Anyone read this? Is it worth a read?
     
  2. Newspaper Taxi

    Newspaper Taxi Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    What kind of a name is Hewwww-monnn, anyway? The planet's name isn't Humania -- it's Earth!
     
  3. Christopher

    Christopher Writer Admiral

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    Mar 15, 2001
    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    It's supposed to be. Read the book and you'll see. It's a pretty interesting one.
     
  4. Julio Angel Ortiz

    Julio Angel Ortiz Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    I know, it's a crap name! :rommie:


    Thanks. I figured it was not the real name of the race but perhaps a name they're known by. It wouldn't stop me from picking it up, just felt like commenting on it.

    Might have to grab it then...
     
  5. JD

    JD Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    I've heard it mentioned on here over the years, but I honestly can't remember if the comments were positive or negative.
     
  6. T'Ressa Dax

    T'Ressa Dax Captain Captain

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    Kendra Province, Bajor
    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    Still remember that one fondly, though it's been a while since I've had a chance to read it. Might not be able to anymore if my last attempt to skim through an older book is any indication...
     
  7. DrCorby

    DrCorby Captain Captain

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    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    I wasn't very excited about it when I started reading it, but it turned out to be a pretty good book. I don't remember many details, but I remember being pleasantly surprised. So, go for it! :techman:
     
  8. JWD75

    JWD75 Commander Red Shirt

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    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    I read it when it first came out and remember really liking it. I might have to reread it to see how well it holds up.
     
  9. Stevil2001

    Stevil2001 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Dec 7, 2001
    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    It was the first non-YA Star Trek novel I owned, and I read it umpteen times. I liked it in grade 3, anyway, and it help up until at least grade 6. Haven't read it since, I don't think.
     
  10. Tiberius

    Tiberius Commodore Commodore

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    Sep 28, 2005
    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    I read it and liked it.
     
  11. TheAlmanac

    TheAlmanac Writer Captain

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    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    I liked it when I read it (at some point in junior high), but now remember very little beyond the aliens (and how revolting they are to the human sense), some of the TOS crew having to work on one of their vessels, and the fact that Kirk calls Uhura "Nyota" at one point when trying to convince her of something.
     
  12. Kilana2

    Kilana2 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    This one was hilarious, Kirk, Chekov, Spock stuck in a container. Funny dialogues. This one is the reason why I love TOS.
     
  13. Christopher

    Christopher Writer Admiral

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    Mar 15, 2001
    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    I re-read this myself not that long ago, and I felt there was something off about the way the characters spoke -- it was a bit too informal, too irreverent, too modern -- but then I discovered that it worked perfectly if I imagined the current movie cast in the roles instead of the TOS cast. There are a few details that don't fit the Abramsverse, of course, like the lack of any relationship between Spock and Uhura, but it fits the style of it pretty well.
     
  14. Kilana2

    Kilana2 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    I can´t neither confirm nor deny that. It was a long time ago when I last read it, and I read it several times (in German). In the meantime he novel looks shabby and worn.
    Sometimes things get “lost “ in the course of translation. Andreas Brandhorst did the translation. And I found a review on fictionfantasy.de, which criticizes it as bloody and cheap. But that´s just one opinion and doesn´t match to my impression so far. I cannot compare the characters and their actions with the Abrambsverse counterparts, because I dislike the new timeline and I ignore it therefore.
    I cannot comprehend how the characters are irreverent or informal compared to many other TOS novels I read (both in German and English). But the language is certainly different from your Ex Machina.
     
  15. Mr. Laser Beam

    Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    "I have been named! Henceforth you will address me as Orangejuiceandwodka!" :guffaw:

    You just don't get dialogue like that every day, you know! ;)
     
  16. Kilana2

    Kilana2 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Re: The Three-Minute Universe

    The German name was "Orangensaftundwodka". It was given by Chekov :techman:.
     
  17. tomswift2002

    tomswift2002 Commodore Commodore

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2011
    TOS #41 The Three Minute Universe by Barbara Paul

    The Three Minute Universe
    Published August 1988

    This is my first time reading this 27-year old book, and in the first 100 pages this book seems to be a mix of "Is There In Truth No Beauty" and "Arena".

    Unfortunately the story isn't all that interesting. It does manage to keep my interest a little bit, but it's more or less an average story.
     
  18. Kilana2

    Kilana2 Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Re: TOS #41 The Three Minute Universe by Barbara Paul

    It's one of my favorite TOS novels and it was quite funny.
     
  19. JD

    JD Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Re: TOS #41 The Three Minute Universe by Barbara Paul

    You might want to have a mod edit the title so this can be included on the review site.
     
  20. hbquikcomjamesl

    hbquikcomjamesl Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Re: TOS #41 The Three Minute Universe by Barbara Paul

    Not a comedy, by any stretch of the imagination (attempted genocide is never funny), but the behavior of the juvenile Vinithi is loaded with comic relief, and the idea of a species that manages, simply by being in the same room, to assault multiple senses in most Humanoid species, is inherently humorous, at least the way it's handled here. I've read it a few times myself; it's not of the caliber of a typical Diane Duane, Christopher L. Bennett, or Greg Cox opus, but it's a fun read.