"How Much For Just The Planet?"

[Timewalker]

Okay, so I just read the novel.

Wait, let me rephrase that:
For the first time ever, in my life, I could not finish this book. I read about 70 pages in, and I could not stomach any more of it. Let me explain first that I love comedy. I love John M. Ford's "Final Reflection". I love "The Trouble with Tribbles". However, I do not like this book. I can usually suspend belief for a novel and let a few things slide off to the side here or there, but this novel? No, I can't. There was just so much off the wall silliness that I saw it as a complete parody of a Star Trek novel. I tried to like it, I tried to approach it from a different viewpoint, but each time it took more and more effort to read further along in the novel. Finally, I put the book down in frustration.

Maybe it's because the previous book I read was "The Vulcan Academy Murders", a thoroughly, resoundingly terrific book, in my opinion. I had always wanted to read it, and once I got this whole shipment of books, I found it was in there, and I was thrilled. I read it and loved it. I had also wanted to read "How Much For Just The Planet?", but I can't get through it. I'm sure I'll go back and try again, but at the moment, I can't stand it.

Your opinions?


J.

I sympathize, as I had this same reaction when I first tried to read this book many years ago. I nearly took it back to the bookstore for a refund, I was so frustrated. But eventually I tried again, and the proverbial light bulb went off in my brain... this isn't a novel, it's a novelized version of a Star Trek/Gilbert & Sullivan crossover operetta parody!

After realizing that, I simply imagined myself in the theatre (I used to work backstage in our local theatre company, so I'm aware of some of the "secrets" of "how do they do that?"). In my imagination, I sat in the audience and "watched" the entire novel take place, and made up operetta-like tunes for the musical parts. And lo, the problem was solved, and this is now one of my favorite novels (certainly better than "The Vulcan Academy Murders, which was ridiculously easy to figure out).

I have just one question: WTF does a plomeek milkshake taste like?

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ Talking of taste...

Anybody who needs a boost to their appetite, read Ereader.com's excerpt from HMFJTP. I am very hungry now!

 

[Amaris]

Okay, so I just read the novel.

Wait, let me rephrase that:
For the first time ever, in my life, I could not finish this book. I read about 70 pages in, and I could not stomach any more of it. Let me explain first that I love comedy. I love John M. Ford's "Final Reflection". I love "The Trouble with Tribbles". However, I do not like this book. I can usually suspend belief for a novel and let a few things slide off to the side here or there, but this novel? No, I can't. There was just so much off the wall silliness that I saw it as a complete parody of a Star Trek novel. I tried to like it, I tried to approach it from a different viewpoint, but each time it took more and more effort to read further along in the novel. Finally, I put the book down in frustration.

Maybe it's because the previous book I read was "The Vulcan Academy Murders", a thoroughly, resoundingly terrific book, in my opinion. I had always wanted to read it, and once I got this whole shipment of books, I found it was in there, and I was thrilled. I read it and loved it. I had also wanted to read "How Much For Just The Planet?", but I can't get through it. I'm sure I'll go back and try again, but at the moment, I can't stand it.

Your opinions?


J.

I sympathize, as I had this same reaction when I first tried to read this book many years ago. I nearly took it back to the bookstore for a refund, I was so frustrated. But eventually I tried again, and the proverbial light bulb went off in my brain... this isn't a novel, it's a novelized version of a Star Trek/Gilbert & Sullivan crossover operetta parody!

After realizing that, I simply imagined myself in the theatre (I used to work backstage in our local theatre company, so I'm aware of some of the "secrets" of "how do they do that?"). In my imagination, I sat in the audience and "watched" the entire novel take place, and made up operetta-like tunes for the musical parts. And lo, the problem was solved, and this is now one of my favorite novels (certainly better than "The Vulcan Academy Murders, which was ridiculously easy to figure out).

I have just one question: WTF does a plomeek milkshake taste like?

I'll try it that way and see if I can enjoy the book in that mindset.

J.

 

[DGCatAniSiri]

I sympathize, as I had this same reaction when I first tried to read this book many years ago. I nearly took it back to the bookstore for a refund, I was so frustrated. But eventually I tried again, and the proverbial light bulb went off in my brain... this isn't a novel, it's a novelized version of a Star Trek/Gilbert & Sullivan crossover operetta parody!

After realizing that, I simply imagined myself in the theatre (I used to work backstage in our local theatre company, so I'm aware of some of the "secrets" of "how do they do that?"). In my imagination, I sat in the audience and "watched" the entire novel take place, and made up operetta-like tunes for the musical parts. And lo, the problem was solved, and this is now one of my favorite novels (certainly better than "The Vulcan Academy Murders, which was ridiculously easy to figure out).

It was about the same with me. The first time I read it, about six years ago, I was frustrated, and practically threw it aside. But I read it again about a year and a half ago and it left a much better impression. Nothing with the book changed, but I had the same 'audience' perspective, as I'd also been backstage for some theatre work and could peg some of those tricks.

Also, I agree that The Vulcan Academy Murders was beyond easy to figure out. I had the culprit and motive pegged by the end of the second chapter. Though I still find it somewhat enjoyable.

 

[JD]

I've had this in my to read pile for a while, but I think it's gonna be moving up now, because I've been wondering lately what a Star Trek musical would be like, and now it sounds like I might get to find out. I know it's just a book, but I still think I'll at least be able to get the vibe of a Trek musical.

 

[Christopher]

It would be the coolest thing if some group of fan-performers would adapt HMFJTP? into a stage show and put it on at a convention. However, the legalities would be tricky, since the songs are all to the tunes of existing pieces of music, most of them probably copyrighted. So I'm not sure it would be something that could legally have a public performance.

 

[Timewalker]

It would be the coolest thing if some group of fan-performers would adapt HMFJTP? into a stage show and put it on at a convention. However, the legalities would be tricky, since the songs are all to the tunes of existing pieces of music, most of them probably copyrighted. So I'm not sure it would be something that could legally have a public performance.

It would definitely be cool. As for legalities, wouldn't it depend on which venue it was staged in? In other words, all kinds of permissions and royalties would have to be paid if it was performed somewhere that people had to pay $$$ to get into (such as a convention), but if it were put on in a public park that was open to everybody, and no money changed hands...?

 

[PaulSimpson]

It would be the coolest thing if some group of fan-performers would adapt HMFJTP? into a stage show and put it on at a convention. However, the legalities would be tricky, since the songs are all to the tunes of existing pieces of music, most of them probably copyrighted. So I'm not sure it would be something that could legally have a public performance.

It would definitely be cool. As for legalities, wouldn't it depend on which venue it was staged in? In other words, all kinds of permissions and royalties would have to be paid if it was performed somewhere that people had to pay $$$ to get into (such as a convention), but if it were put on in a public park that was open to everybody, and no money changed hands...?

And which country it was performed in - copyright rules are different in different parts of the world. There's a Doctor Who audio - Doctor Who and the Pirates - which does much the same thing, rewriting Gilbert & Sullivan songs to fit in with the plot which was released ok.

Paul

 

[Daddy Todd]

There's a Doctor Who audio - Doctor Who and the Pirates - which does much the same thing, rewriting Gilbert & Sullivan songs to fit in with the plot which was released ok.

Paul

I believe G&S is now in the public domain -- nobody owns "copyright" on it any more. Most or all the songs parodied in "HMFJTP?" are all still under copyright. That makes a big difference in how the material gets used by people today.

I mean, that's one of the big reasons Mozart and Beethoven still get played so much. No pesky ASCAP royalties!

 

[TGTheodore]

An entire program of copyrighted music MIGHT only be performed for free in a closed venue, with no money involved and never publicized. Think of it as performing it in a very large, private living room.

There no way in this community that word would not get around before or after such a performance. So it would pretty much be dead in the water -- legally.

Even with all the precautions stipulated above, there could still be grounds for ASCAP, BMI, Chappell Music or other publishers to charge for use of their music, or deny its use altogether.

But I'm betting a shrewd negotiator might be able to persuade some the music publishers to agree were the performance for a charitable function or some special reason. Makes the publishers look good, and if the performance is well done and recorded properly, could actually net them more revenue from CD and/or DVD sales.

--Ted

 

[Christopher]

I just wish somebody would please tell me what at least some of the songs in HMFJTP are based on! I've only ever known two of them, and I've forgotten what one of them was. The only one I know for sure is the theme from Rawhide.

 

[TGTheodore]

I just wish somebody would please tell me what at least some of the songs in HMFJTP are based on! I've only ever known two of them, and I've forgotten what one of them was. The only one I know for sure is the theme from Rawhide.

Don't make me go dig for my copy and do this thing ...

--Ted

 

[PaulSimpson]

I just wish somebody would please tell me what at least some of the songs in HMFJTP are based on! I've only ever known two of them, and I've forgotten what one of them was. The only one I know for sure is the theme from Rawhide.

Don't make me go dig for my copy and do this thing ...

--Ted

Er... why not?

 

[Christopher]

Yes, please, somebody, dig out your copy, identify the songs, and tell us what they are! I've been asking this question online for years, and nobody has ever stepped up and offered an answer. What's everyone waiting for? How hard can it be?

 

[PaulSimpson]

Yes, please, somebody, dig out your copy, identify the songs, and tell us what they are! I've been asking this question online for years, and nobody has ever stepped up and offered an answer. What's everyone waiting for? How hard can it be?

Is that the sound of someone volunteering themselves I hear wafting across the ocean?

 

[Christopher]

No, it's the sound of me begging someone else to volunteer. Like I said, I've only ever been able to figure out two of the songs and I've forgotten one. This is me we're talking about -- if I could compile the list myself, I'd repost it every time the question came up.

 

[PaulSimpson]

No, it's the sound of me begging someone else to volunteer. Like I said, I've only ever been able to figure out two of the songs and I've forgotten one. This is me we're talking about -- if I could compile the list myself, I'd repost it every time the question came up.

Well I've just braved whatever it is that's living in my attic and found the copy so let's see what comes to mind...!

P

 

[Therin of Andor]

Well I've just braved whatever it is that's living in my attic and found the copy so let's see what comes to mind...!

And I'll work on my friends when they get back from Japan.

 

[PaulSimpson]

Well I've just braved whatever it is that's living in my attic and found the copy so let's see what comes to mind...!

And I'll work on my friends when they get back from Japan.

A quick skim through (apart from inducing a fit of the giggles) reveals the Rawhide pastiche and Falling in Love Again (the Marlene Dietrich number) on pp 75 and 161 respectively...

 

[JD]

Hmm, never heard of the second one of those. I think I'm gonna have to start list on Word so I can go back and look at the songs when I read the book. Is there actually a reason for their singing, or do they a just burst into song like a normal musical?