Scan barcode
raypro's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
le_chat_noir's review against another edition
2.0
2.5, maybe? This book isn't bad, exactly, but I wish I hadn't bothered reading it.
The publisher's audiobook description (copied below*) makes it seem as if this was a sequel, and it really isn't. The action extends to maybe several months after the end of DS9, if that.
This is a prequel and a character study. For an actor playing a character, this would be invaluable. And yes, hearing Robinson read does bring back a strong sense of Garak.
But Garak's cynicism, biting wit and melancholy despair tinged with reluctant hopefulness were always softened with Bashir's puppylike enthusiasm and DS9's (and Star Trek's) general faith in humanity. This has none of that; it's all Garak, all the time. And unrelenting Garak is like watching a French New Wave film - sure, okay, it might be tempting to call it art because it's existential and, frankly, depressing, but in the end, it's just depressing. And a little cowardly.
This has no humor, no joy, no enjoyment. Not a lot of action, but also not a terrible amount of worthwhile philosophy. No wit, either. Robinson may have played Garak to a tee, but he clearly wasn't the scriptwriter for the best Garak-centric episodes.
This left me liking Garak less, which is a shame - previously, he vied with Quark for my favorite DS9 character.
If you go into it looking for Garak's motivations, you'll find some of those here. If, however, you're looking for anything new (or actually entertaining) happening to Garak, this definitely ain't it.
Basically, boo.
(*Publisher's description: "An unique and intense tale following Elim Garak as he attempts to stitch the ravaged society of Cardassia back together.
For nearly a decade Garak has longed for just one thing—to go home. Exiled on a space station, surrounded by aliens who loathe and distrust him, going back to Cardassia has been Garak's one dream. Now, finally, he is home. But home is a world whose landscape is filled with death and destruction. Desperation and dust are constant companions and luxury is a glass of clean water and a warm place to sleep.
Ironically, it is a letter from one of the aliens on that space station, Dr. Julian Bashir, that inspires Garak to look at the fabric of his life. Elim Garak has been a student, a gardener, a spy, an exile, a tailor, even a liberator. It is a life that was charted by the forces of Cardassian society with very little understanding of the person, and even less compassion.
But it is the tailor that understands who Elim Garak was, and what he could be. It is the tailor who sees the ruined fabric of Cardassia, and who knows how to bring this ravaged society back together. This is strange, because a tailor is the one thing Garak never wanted to be. But it is the tailor whom both Cardassia and Elim Garak need. It is the tailor who can put the pieces together, who can take a stitch in time.")
The publisher's audiobook description (copied below*) makes it seem as if this was a sequel, and it really isn't. The action extends to maybe several months after the end of DS9, if that.
This is a prequel and a character study. For an actor playing a character, this would be invaluable. And yes, hearing Robinson read does bring back a strong sense of Garak.
But Garak's cynicism, biting wit and melancholy despair tinged with reluctant hopefulness were always softened with Bashir's puppylike enthusiasm and DS9's (and Star Trek's) general faith in humanity. This has none of that; it's all Garak, all the time. And unrelenting Garak is like watching a French New Wave film - sure, okay, it might be tempting to call it art because it's existential and, frankly, depressing, but in the end, it's just depressing. And a little cowardly.
This has no humor, no joy, no enjoyment. Not a lot of action, but also not a terrible amount of worthwhile philosophy. No wit, either. Robinson may have played Garak to a tee, but he clearly wasn't the scriptwriter for the best Garak-centric episodes.
This left me liking Garak less, which is a shame - previously, he vied with Quark for my favorite DS9 character.
If you go into it looking for Garak's motivations, you'll find some of those here. If, however, you're looking for anything new (or actually entertaining) happening to Garak, this definitely ain't it.
Basically, boo.
(*Publisher's description: "An unique and intense tale following Elim Garak as he attempts to stitch the ravaged society of Cardassia back together.
For nearly a decade Garak has longed for just one thing—to go home. Exiled on a space station, surrounded by aliens who loathe and distrust him, going back to Cardassia has been Garak's one dream. Now, finally, he is home. But home is a world whose landscape is filled with death and destruction. Desperation and dust are constant companions and luxury is a glass of clean water and a warm place to sleep.
Ironically, it is a letter from one of the aliens on that space station, Dr. Julian Bashir, that inspires Garak to look at the fabric of his life. Elim Garak has been a student, a gardener, a spy, an exile, a tailor, even a liberator. It is a life that was charted by the forces of Cardassian society with very little understanding of the person, and even less compassion.
But it is the tailor that understands who Elim Garak was, and what he could be. It is the tailor who sees the ruined fabric of Cardassia, and who knows how to bring this ravaged society back together. This is strange, because a tailor is the one thing Garak never wanted to be. But it is the tailor whom both Cardassia and Elim Garak need. It is the tailor who can put the pieces together, who can take a stitch in time.")
karabrug's review against another edition
3.0
Garak is my favorite DS9 character and I’d heard good things about this book so I’m sad I didn’t love it. There wasn’t enough of an arc/resolution for me, but as for the latter I think that’s kind of the point.
giffirt's review against another edition
3.0
This was actually pretty well written! Surprisingly entertaining to get back to one of my all time favourite DS9 characters.
Now, I still expect Alexander Siddig to keep his word and write a conclusion for this. I assume it will be about Julian and Garak living happily together as a retired couple who raise corgis and go to opera once a month (Julian complains that Cardassian operas are way too heavy, and Garak thinks that this is only further evidence that Julian needs the cultural education in orders to learn to appreciate true art.)
Now, I still expect Alexander Siddig to keep his word and write a conclusion for this. I assume it will be about Julian and Garak living happily together as a retired couple who raise corgis and go to opera once a month (Julian complains that Cardassian operas are way too heavy, and Garak thinks that this is only further evidence that Julian needs the cultural education in orders to learn to appreciate true art.)
ioreth's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ladyeight's review against another edition
5.0
If you love Star Trek DS9 this is a must-read! Andrew Robinson Garak to life in this novel and it is amazing. Truly showing why DS9 is my favorite series and Garak is one of my favorite characters.
batwinggoth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mealymachine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thimbleberries's review against another edition
5.0
Sensational, immersive, Andy Robinson you've done it again, thanks for bringing Garak and Deep Space Nine to life for this audiobook! It makes me feel like I had a whole new season of DS9 to enjoy.
marissaoux's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Started listening to this a whilllleee ago with my husband but we never finished. Not sure if it's because I listened to this, but I couldn't get into this like I could with the other Star Trek books I read this year.