A review by jazzypizzaz
A Stitch in Time by Andrew J. Robinson

4.0

(I would like to reiterate that I rate books based on personal enjoyment and benefit, not any semblance of "objective" or "literary" quality.) This book was exactly what I wanted to read-- it met all my expectations and provided a wonderful coda to Star Trek: DS9. On the show, Garak is one of the most intriguing characters, with only the occasional hints at a rich backstory and always misdirection as to his true motivations. This book provides exactly the type of character study-- along with melancholy, growing pains, wistfulness, amusing anecdotes, betrayal, political intrigue-- one longs for after watching him on the show... It particularly works as a biography for Garak specifically-- the loose thematic chronology and ponderings fit his sense of "truth" (nothing is as simple as events happneing in chronological order), as does his allusion at the beginning that everything in the book may be lies (but witin the lies hides the truth). With the overarching format as a letter he is writing to Dr. Bashir, this makes for fascinating reading-- what parts are lies and why? is his goal to explain himself and make sense of his life, to rope Bashir into standing witness for his dark past and hopeful future, as he claims? is it to garner sympathy or spur reconnection with his former friend? I was also surprised at how very personal the book is-- overall it's deeply sad, introspective, and ponderous, currying new sympathy for the character.

Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys Star Trek: DS9.