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A review by jaredkwheeler
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back by Donald F. Glut
4.0
Star Wars Legends Project #278
Background: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was written by [a:Donald F. Glut|20034|Donald F. Glut|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1224694360p2/20034.jpg] (based on the story by [a:George Lucas|3231|George Lucas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1458677946p2/3231.jpg] and published in April 1980. Glut had previously written an issue of the Marvel run of Star Wars comics.
Obviously this is the novelization of the film, and it takes place 3 years after the battle of Yavin and includes the Battle of Hoth. The main characters are Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, Yoda, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, R2-D2, C-3PO, etc. The story takes place on Hoth, Dagobah, and Bespin, as well as in and around the Hoth System asteroid field.
Summary: After locating the secret Rebel base on the ice world of Hoth, Darth Vader launches an all-out assault against the Rebel forces. Many escape, but as he closes in on Han Solo and Princess Leia aboard a malfunctioning Millennium Falcon, Vader senses an opportunity to lure in his real target: Luke Skywalker, the man who blew up the Death Star. Meanwhile, Luke follows a mysterious vision to a swampy planet in search of a reclusive Jedi Master who may hold the keys to victory over the Dark Side.
Review: I don't have a lot of insight into how to judge this book apart from the fact that it's an adaptation of my favorite film. (Yeah, yeah, I know . . . How original. I don't know what to tell you. I like what I like.) I will say that I was worried that it might be a drag to get through just due to my overfamiliarity with the story . . . and it really wasn't. This story is just fantastic, and it never stops moving. It never really lags at any point.
There are a few minor differences between the adaptation and the film that suggest perhaps late changes to the screenplay, but most of it doesn't stand out. There's certainly nothing as jarring as some of what's in the adaptation of the first film, which has borderline canonicity. The biggest change here is some welcome extension to Luke's training on Dagobah. There are scenes that hint at a lot more time and rigor to his lessons under Yoda which really help flesh out that aspect of the film story.
For the most part, though, this is a fun read if you like Empire . . . but not as fun as just watching the movie again. Make of that what you will.
A-
Background: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was written by [a:Donald F. Glut|20034|Donald F. Glut|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1224694360p2/20034.jpg] (based on the story by [a:George Lucas|3231|George Lucas|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1458677946p2/3231.jpg] and published in April 1980. Glut had previously written an issue of the Marvel run of Star Wars comics.
Obviously this is the novelization of the film, and it takes place 3 years after the battle of Yavin and includes the Battle of Hoth. The main characters are Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Han Solo, Yoda, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, R2-D2, C-3PO, etc. The story takes place on Hoth, Dagobah, and Bespin, as well as in and around the Hoth System asteroid field.
Summary: After locating the secret Rebel base on the ice world of Hoth, Darth Vader launches an all-out assault against the Rebel forces. Many escape, but as he closes in on Han Solo and Princess Leia aboard a malfunctioning Millennium Falcon, Vader senses an opportunity to lure in his real target: Luke Skywalker, the man who blew up the Death Star. Meanwhile, Luke follows a mysterious vision to a swampy planet in search of a reclusive Jedi Master who may hold the keys to victory over the Dark Side.
Review: I don't have a lot of insight into how to judge this book apart from the fact that it's an adaptation of my favorite film. (Yeah, yeah, I know . . . How original. I don't know what to tell you. I like what I like.) I will say that I was worried that it might be a drag to get through just due to my overfamiliarity with the story . . . and it really wasn't. This story is just fantastic, and it never stops moving. It never really lags at any point.
There are a few minor differences between the adaptation and the film that suggest perhaps late changes to the screenplay, but most of it doesn't stand out. There's certainly nothing as jarring as some of what's in the adaptation of the first film, which has borderline canonicity. The biggest change here is some welcome extension to Luke's training on Dagobah. There are scenes that hint at a lot more time and rigor to his lessons under Yoda which really help flesh out that aspect of the film story.
For the most part, though, this is a fun read if you like Empire . . . but not as fun as just watching the movie again. Make of that what you will.
A-