• Welcome! The TrekBBS is the number one place to chat about Star Trek with like-minded fans.
    If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

The Autobiography of Mr. Spock by... Una McCormack?

I have to say what I really love about the AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF SPOCK is that it really isn't afraid to take full advantage of the, "When gives lemons, make lemonade." I"m a fan of DISCOVERY and always liked the character of Sybok even if I felt the character was dreadfully underdeveloped. I am a big fan of the idea "there's no such thing as bad ideas, only bad execution." At least when it comes to Star trek.

1. I like how the book fully leans into DISCO and embraces the role Michael Burnham plays in the story of Spock. Spock is someone who is affected by her character and just by focusing on the writing and character development, it feels right as well as organic. The fact that Michael Burnham "dies" by going into the future, it actually feels like something that has a proper ending to their relationship in Spock's life.

2. I like the extensive backstory that was given Sybok. I think a lot of religious people, myself included, know other members of their faith that get lost in either fundamentalism or questionable paths. Sybok having a mother who surrendered herself to extreme asceticism and then being motivated by a religious vision of Sha'Ka'Ree is a fascinating story.

3. As mentioned I also like how its is combined with Spock's own religious experience by contacting V'Ger. As Spock was able to emerge from his experience with a higher awareness of the universe, Sybok was taken advantage of by a monster.

4. I think my biggest issue with the book is the fact that Doctor McCormack chose not to include Spock getting married. I don't think she needed to make it to Saavik, especially as she's portrayed as a daughter figure but I do think she could have inserted a paragraph about a OC.

"As you know, I was married to a human woman named Susan Fontana. I have nothing to say about our private relationship other than it was good and she passed of natural causes."

5. I like that she tried to thread the needle about what Spock was trying to do with the Red Matter. After the Federation failed, the Vulcan Science Council attempted to save Romulus themselves. It makes Nero's insane rampage against Vulcan all the more horrifying. Maybe the Red Matter was meant to prevent the supernova in this respect. I think she leaves it ambiguous.
 
4. I think my biggest issue with the book is the fact that Doctor McCormack chose not to include Spock getting married. I don't think she needed to make it to Saavik, especially as she's portrayed as a daughter figure but I do think she could have inserted a paragraph about a OC.

"As you know, I was married to a human woman named Susan Fontana. I have nothing to say about our private relationship other than it was good and she passed of natural causes."
Good point. There is, after all, such a thing as Pon Farr. Just because thinking he'd killed Kirk was enough to snap him out of his first Pon Farr (and left him utterly disgusted with T'Pring) doesn't mean he stopped experiencing it. A lot more than 7 years passed between TSFS and his attempt to stop the supernova.
 
I think my biggest issue with the book is the fact that Doctor McCormack chose not to include Spock getting married. I don't think she needed to make it to Saavik, especially as she's portrayed as a daughter figure but I do think she could have inserted a paragraph about a OC.

Same. Perhaps there's a story there that Picard chose not to include in the final edit; perhaps Spock made reference to the embarrassing actions of a certain young Lieutenant who got a bit too drunk at the reception.
 
Remember it's only our speculation that it was Spock's wedding that Picard attended. His words were "Sarek's son" and after Sybok, after adopting Michael, after doing the creepy Amanda 2 thing with Perrin, who's to say Sarek hasn't adopted a shitload of wayward kids over the years?

While possible, I think it was meant to be Spock and while it wasn't true in the Autobiographies continuity, it was true in other book ones.
 
I wish that The events of Spock’s World had been at least acknowledged in Spock’s autobiography. (Actually, Spock’s and Kirk’s…) I don’t think that the story terribly conflicts with anything that has been presented “in Canon” and if anything, it helps illustrate Sarek’s later appreciation for Spock’s friends (especially McCoy)
 
I wish that The events of Spock’s World had been at least acknowledged in Spock’s autobiography. (Actually, Spock’s and Kirk’s…) I don’t think that the story terribly conflicts with anything that has been presented “in Canon” and if anything, it helps illustrate Sarek’s later appreciation for Spock’s friends (especially McCoy)

There is a mention of "an isolationist movement seeking Vulcan's withdrawal from the Federation" early in the book. This may be referencing something from Discovery (I have only seen and read some bits of the series), but I took it as a possible allusion to the secession being considered in Spock's World.

After two parts, I am really digging this autobiography. I would put it alongside A Stitch in Time for a fantastic Trek story that spans a big chunk of a character's life.
 
Besides, there's no mention in the book of any other children of Sarek so either way, it's not covered.

It doesn't even matter what the book says.

We all know Sarek only had two sons: Spock and Sybok. The wedding in question was obviously not Sybok's, so by definition, it must have been Spock. :shrug:

The only thing we don't know, canonically speaking, is who the bride was, although it was most likely Saavik.
 
It doesn't even matter what the book says.

We all know Sarek only had two sons: Spock and Sybok. The wedding in question was obviously not Sybok's, so by definition, it must have been Spock. :shrug:

The only thing we don't know, canonically speaking, is who the bride was, although it was most likely Saavik.

Well, yes, exactly. :shrug:
 
If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

Sign up / Register


Back
Top