I have never played the X-Wing games and haven't even really seen more then a few seconds of footage of them, but I love the books.
Star Wars Books Thread
- Thread starter Mr Light
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I have never played the X-Wing games and haven't even really seen more then a few seconds of footage of them, but I love the books.
It depends on how you look at it of course, but I saw it more as "a hero who must learn how to not be a hero anymore" type story. The plot about the corrupt farmer is almost besides the point. It's just there to provide context for Kenobi's inner struggle. For someone raised as a Jedi, wilfully turning one's back on the suffering of others is harder than it sounds.
I also found the stuff in the Kenobi novel about the Tusken Raiders to be cool.
Incidentally I just finished the RotS novelization and since some have asked for my thoughts, here they are: -
Overall, it was a surprisingly good read. Not just a shallow recitation of the shooting script in prose form, it actually digs deep into character motivation and pathos. Dooku, Sidious, Anakin and Kenobi are all given detailed internal lives. In terms of storytelling it's a massive improvement over the movie in it's portrayal of Anakin's seduction and ultimate fall. You actually understand and sympathise with his motivations.
It's not all good though. Some of the problems inherent with the script are inherited without improvement. The main one being Padme basically reduced to a piece of furniture, stripped of all agency and existing only as an object of desire. Her death by "broken heart" is no more convincing here and smacks of Lucas having no real idea what to do with her, so just shoves her aside once her baby delivering duties are served.
I can see why it's so highly thought of by some fans as it clearly went some way to reconcile what was intended on the page and what ended up on screen. That said it could really benefit from an updated rewrite. The characterisation of Grevious, while appropriately chilling and brutal, seems at odds with the character we've since come to know. Likewise the repeated reference to events from EU clone wars material seems out of place now that we have the TV show. Indeed, as stated before, Anakin's distrust of the council and bitterness over being denied mastership makes more sense in the context of what happened with Ahsoka.
Again to reiterate; the current way of thinking seems to be that the usual way one goes from Knight to Master is by training a Padawan to knighthood. In his mind, he did that with Ahsoka and it's because the council turned on her that she let him down in the end. Deep down he feels cheated and disrespected. By the council and sadly, by Ahsoka too.
One thing this book gets right is that one of Anakin's key flaws is his fierce loyalty. He's loyal to his friends and so when he feels one of them hasn't been loyal to him, it wrenches at him all the more.
Well you should be aware going in that you're not going to get a lot of space battles and lightsaber fights in a story about a desert hermit, on the run from the Empire.
It draws heavily on both the classical old west and Samurai/Ronin influences that have been at the core of Star Wars from the beginning. The "lone gunman with a mysterious past walks into town" trope, the "corrupt rancher trying to court the widow to get his hands on her money" trope and even the "tribe of desperate natives making one final stand against the alien invaders" trope. It's equal parts 'Yojimbo' and 'Unforgiven'.
From a Star Wars POV it gives us a rare look at how Kenobi copes with being isolated and alone. We're so used to seeing him paired up with Anakin, Cody, Ahsoka and various other Jedi & clones. Now he has to operate without any backup and without drawing unwanted attention.
Indeed, it explores one of Kenobi's key characteristics: he's the last person the realise how great of a hero he is. He can't even walk into a bar without accidentally becoming a town hero. In a lot of ways, he's the perfect Jedi and this stripped down style of storytelling is the perfect way to showcase that.
Overall, it was a surprisingly good read. Not just a shallow recitation of the shooting script in prose form, it actually digs deep into character motivation and pathos. Dooku, Sidious, Anakin and Kenobi are all given detailed internal lives. In terms of storytelling it's a massive improvement over the movie in it's portrayal of Anakin's seduction and ultimate fall. You actually understand and sympathise with his motivations.
It's not all good though. Some of the problems inherent with the script are inherited without improvement. The main one being Padme basically reduced to a piece of furniture, stripped of all agency and existing only as an object of desire. Her death by "broken heart" is no more convincing here and smacks of Lucas having no real idea what to do with her, so just shoves her aside once her baby delivering duties are served.
I can see why it's so highly thought of by some fans as it clearly went some way to reconcile what was intended on the page and what ended up on screen. That said it could really benefit from an updated rewrite. The characterisation of Grevious, while appropriately chilling and brutal, seems at odds with the character we've since come to know. Likewise the repeated reference to events from EU clone wars material seems out of place now that we have the TV show. Indeed, as stated before, Anakin's distrust of the council and bitterness over being denied mastership makes more sense in the context of what happened with Ahsoka.
Again to reiterate; the current way of thinking seems to be that the usual way one goes from Knight to Master is by training a Padawan to knighthood. In his mind, he did that with Ahsoka and it's because the council turned on her that she let him down in the end. Deep down he feels cheated and disrespected. By the council and sadly, by Ahsoka too.
One thing this book gets right is that one of Anakin's key flaws is his fierce loyalty. He's loyal to his friends and so when he feels one of them hasn't been loyal to him, it wrenches at him all the more.
Well you should be aware going in that you're not going to get a lot of space battles and lightsaber fights in a story about a desert hermit, on the run from the Empire.
It draws heavily on both the classical old west and Samurai/Ronin influences that have been at the core of Star Wars from the beginning. The "lone gunman with a mysterious past walks into town" trope, the "corrupt rancher trying to court the widow to get his hands on her money" trope and even the "tribe of desperate natives making one final stand against the alien invaders" trope. It's equal parts 'Yojimbo' and 'Unforgiven'.
From a Star Wars POV it gives us a rare look at how Kenobi copes with being isolated and alone. We're so used to seeing him paired up with Anakin, Cody, Ahsoka and various other Jedi & clones. Now he has to operate without any backup and without drawing unwanted attention.
Indeed, it explores one of Kenobi's key characteristics: he's the last person the realise how great of a hero he is. He can't even walk into a bar without accidentally becoming a town hero. In a lot of ways, he's the perfect Jedi and this stripped down style of storytelling is the perfect way to showcase that.
This is exactly how I hope Lucasfilm handles an Anthology film about Kenobi on Tatooine, if they ever do one.
That's pretty much the only way you can logically approach it. The idea that Kenobi ever left Tatooine in those 19 years just never sounded right to me. Thematically the only reason he ever could is if his presence was an immediate threat to Luke....like say if a pissed off Dathomirian former Sith Lord were on his trail.
To be fair, that was non-Canon in Legends.
I think a lot of the stories in those comics were 'non-canon'
All of the EU stories were non-canon.
All of the EU stories were non-canon.
You know what I mean
According to Leland Chee, fans are safe to assume that most aliens, planets and ship names are the same as the old EU until otherwise contradicted.
Which is why Wookieepedia names the HWK-290 (the Moldy Crow's model), even though no new-canon source has called it that.
You know what I mean
According to Leland Chee, fans are safe to assume that most aliens, planets and ship names are the same as the old EU until otherwise contradicted.
Which is why Wookieepedia names the HWK-290 (the Moldy Crow's model), even though no new-canon source has called it that.
Yeah, incidental stuff like that is fairly safe as there's no real reason to change it unless it directly affects a story...or the name is really stupid. And honestly, why needlessly put in the effort of coming up with new material when someone's already done the work for you?
It's basically the same reason why old concept art get recycled in new ways and (partly) why things like the Kenner troop transport showed up in Rebels and why Delta Squad appeared in TCW for Just that one scene.
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Also, because that name is an amazing nameYou know what I mean
According to Leland Chee, fans are safe to assume that most aliens, planets and ship names are the same as the old EU until otherwise contradicted.
Which is why Wookieepedia names the HWK-290 (the Moldy Crow's model), even though no new-canon source has called it that.
Also, a great ship design.
All of the EU stories were non-canon.
You keep saying that, but it's not true. It's just internet revisionism, something which is popular in Star Wars circles.
Hmm. Assuming You Know Who was talking about Kenobi at that time, yeah, that'd be a great way to bring some conflict into the movie. Perhaps You Know Who finds out Kenobi is protecting a young boy who's incredibly strong in the Force, and You Know Who tries to take Luke so he can twist him into his own dark apprentice, and Kenobi has to stop that from happening.
Is it Snoke? That would be cool if it was Snoke.
Nah, but I didn't want to say his name for spoiler reasons. But most people in this thread can probably figure it out based on how Reverend described him.
No, I think I know, but I personally like my theory better
Well given the context, who else could he be talking about?
I'd rather keep Luke at the periphery of any such story, which is why I cited this as the only reason Ben would ever leave the planet: to draw "him" away precisely so he doesn't get a sense of Luke's presence. Or more to the point, a clash between those two on Tatooine may cause a disturbance that'd draw the attention of Sidious. Something that must be avoided at all costs.
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