Post TUC Friendship of Spock & McCoy

[Workbee]

I recently watched the Star Trek II, III and IV trilogy, it struck me that the experiences that Spock and McCoy shared in the former's death and resurrection must have altered their friendship. The relationship of these characters always fascinated me. Thanks to TNG, we know that both characters live well into the 24th century. My questions is, are there any stories that have a strong emphasis on their friendship during the post TUC period of time? Would people recommend Vulcan's Heart as a good example? Any that cover multiple periods of time in their lives?

I know I can search for stories with Spock, and McCoy with Google. But it is hard to tell without reading all of them which advance their friendship. Sorry for being long winded. I used to read a lot of Trek books years ago (unfortunately I haven't had much time to keep current). But my recollection (based on outdated information) was that most books took place between TOS and TUC, and more or less episodic in nature.

Thanks in advance!

WB

 

[KRAD]

Vulcan's Heart is one example. So are Red Sector by Diane Carey, my own The Brave and the Bold Book 2, Crossover by Michael Jan Friedman, the graphic novel The Modala Imperative by MJF and Peter David, and some others, too.

 

[TheUsualSuspect]

This may not be as focussed on the post TUC time period as you're looking for, but the Crucible trilogy by David R. George III has quite a lot about the Spock-McCoy friendship, carrying it forward even past the Generations prologue, and into the TNG era. Each book tells its own story, but the three books interlock in a lot of places. The stuff about Spock and McCoy is mostly in the first two books, which focus on ... McCoy and Spock.

Also, the trilogy is in a separate continuity from other recent novels, if that's a consideration for you.

 

[rafterman1701]

Crucible: McCoy is one of my favorite novels ever.

 

[Captain Nebula]

I'm not sure about after TUC, but before Wrath of Khan is Spock's World by Diane Duane. It's a very good read, but I skip the Vulcan background chapters and just read the Enterprise chapters except 'Vulcan: Seven', and I won't tell you why. 'Vulcan: Six' is also a nice addition, but neither Vulcan chapters are necessary to the story.

 

[JD]

I find it ironic when people say that, because I actually thought the historical stuff was the best parts of the book. The present day stuff was good to, but the historical stuff was just a little bit more interesting IMO, even if it no longer fits with canon.

 

[Christopher]

I find it ironic when people say that, because I actually thought the historical stuff was the best parts of the book.

I don't think I've ever heard people say that.

The present day stuff was good to, but the historical stuff was just a little bit more interesting IMO, even if it no longer fits with canon.

Doesn't it? Maybe some of the later stuff, but do we know about the earlier history chapters? What do you see as the specific inconsistencies?

 

[JD]

I don't really remember specifics, but I think there was stuff with that didn't quite line with what we later learned about Surak.

 

[Christopher]

I don't really remember specifics, but I think there was stuff with that didn't quite line with what we later learned about Surak.

There are plenty of things in canon itself that don't quite line with each other -- for instance, if Surak was as well-known a historical figure as he was shown to be in Enterprise, how come Kirk had never heard of him in "The Savage Curtain?" So I'm not sure the inconsistencies with Spock's World's version of Surak are that much greater than the ones that already exist within canon. While the main body of Spock's World is part of the '80s continuity and doesn't fit with the current one, I'm kind of agnostic about whether the history chapters can still count.

 

[Timewalker]

I find it ironic when people say that, because I actually thought the historical stuff was the best parts of the book. The present day stuff was good to, but the historical stuff was just a little bit more interesting IMO, even if it no longer fits with canon.

One of the great things about Spock's World is that you can read either the Vulcan history parts or the modern parts separately if you want. It's almost like 3 books in one.

 

[JD]

I don't really remember specifics, but I think there was stuff with that didn't quite line with what we later learned about Surak.

There are plenty of things in canon itself that don't quite line with each other -- for instance, if Surak was as well-known a historical figure as he was shown to be in Enterprise, how come Kirk had never heard of him in "The Savage Curtain?" So I'm not sure the inconsistencies with Spock's World's version of Surak are that much greater than the ones that already exist within canon. While the main body of Spock's World is part of the '80s continuity and doesn't fit with the current one, I'm kind of agnostic about whether the history chapters can still count.

Good point. I don't think there really was anything in it that was more of a contradiction than what we've gotten in canon in the past.