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A review by ecolite99
A Stitch in Time by Andrew J. Robinson
5.0
How do I even begin to review a book that fostered such emotional attachment that I found myself bringing it with me around the house just to have it nearby?
Elim Garak is just one of /those characters/ for me. I knew from his first appearance in Deep Space Nine that I was not going to be normal about this man. A former intelligence agent for the Obsidian Order, Garak was exiled to Terok Nor/Deep Space Nine for reasons we never come to learn in the show. It's clear that blood is on Garak's hands, but he is such a deeply complex and likable character that it doesn't truly matter what he's done in his past--not to Julian Bashir, station CMO, who is drawn to Garak's lies and secrets and mysterious personality. The two form a close but tenuous bond based on a mutual love of engaging conversation and literary critique.
We come to learn bits and pieces of Garak's past throughout the show, but it's not until Andy Robinson's A Stitch in Time that all of his past is laid bare. As the actor who portrayed Garak, Andy put a lot of time into coming up with a backstory and motivations for his character. And boy, did that time and effort pay off. Andy has brilliantly constructed the world of Cardiassian society and Garak's history within it. It's clear that he understands Garak in exactly the same way I do, and that was truly special (and sometimes harrowing) to experience. There were many moments throughout my reading where I found myself staring introspectively into the distance as I reflected on how closely I could relate to the bitter loneliness of this book. Andy, why are you staring into my soul? I thought this was supposed to reveal things about Garak, not me!
The novel is framed as a nearly-400-page letter to Julian, asking him to bear witness to Garak's past and his healing from it. This letter is an explanation of why Garak is the way he is--a baring of his soul to the one person who has ever been willing to understand. It's a terribly intimate piece of writing. Although their relationship has grown distant, Garak ends his letter by inviting Julian back into his life--to behold the person he has become, and share in the healing of himself and of Cardassia.
Andy handles this story beautifully, and gives so much depth to Cardassian society and its people. Kelas Parmak is a gift of a character, and Palandine, Pythas Lok, Tolan, and Mila the regnar are all wonderful additions to the Star Trek canon. I also love the ideas introduced about spiritual and political healing--both things the war-ravaged Cardassia desperately needs. Although this novel deals heavily with loneliness and isolation, betrayal and manipulation, it is ultimately a hopeful story. Both individuals and societies can heal with the help of community--a timeless message we all need to hear.
If you've read this book, please talk to me about it! I have so many thoughts I couldn't put into this review, and like Garak, "the surest way to [my] heart is through conversation."
Elim Garak is just one of /those characters/ for me. I knew from his first appearance in Deep Space Nine that I was not going to be normal about this man. A former intelligence agent for the Obsidian Order, Garak was exiled to Terok Nor/Deep Space Nine for reasons we never come to learn in the show. It's clear that blood is on Garak's hands, but he is such a deeply complex and likable character that it doesn't truly matter what he's done in his past--not to Julian Bashir, station CMO, who is drawn to Garak's lies and secrets and mysterious personality. The two form a close but tenuous bond based on a mutual love of engaging conversation and literary critique.
We come to learn bits and pieces of Garak's past throughout the show, but it's not until Andy Robinson's A Stitch in Time that all of his past is laid bare. As the actor who portrayed Garak, Andy put a lot of time into coming up with a backstory and motivations for his character. And boy, did that time and effort pay off. Andy has brilliantly constructed the world of Cardiassian society and Garak's history within it. It's clear that he understands Garak in exactly the same way I do, and that was truly special (and sometimes harrowing) to experience. There were many moments throughout my reading where I found myself staring introspectively into the distance as I reflected on how closely I could relate to the bitter loneliness of this book. Andy, why are you staring into my soul? I thought this was supposed to reveal things about Garak, not me!
The novel is framed as a nearly-400-page letter to Julian, asking him to bear witness to Garak's past and his healing from it. This letter is an explanation of why Garak is the way he is--a baring of his soul to the one person who has ever been willing to understand. It's a terribly intimate piece of writing. Although their relationship has grown distant, Garak ends his letter by inviting Julian back into his life--to behold the person he has become, and share in the healing of himself and of Cardassia.
Andy handles this story beautifully, and gives so much depth to Cardassian society and its people. Kelas Parmak is a gift of a character, and Palandine, Pythas Lok, Tolan, and Mila the regnar are all wonderful additions to the Star Trek canon. I also love the ideas introduced about spiritual and political healing--both things the war-ravaged Cardassia desperately needs. Although this novel deals heavily with loneliness and isolation, betrayal and manipulation, it is ultimately a hopeful story. Both individuals and societies can heal with the help of community--a timeless message we all need to hear.
If you've read this book, please talk to me about it! I have so many thoughts I couldn't put into this review, and like Garak, "the surest way to [my] heart is through conversation."