A review by octavia_cade
The Autobiography of Mr. Spock by Una McCormack

reflective medium-paced

4.0

I have to admit that I was a little bit sceptical going into this. Spock is such a cerebral character, and this type can be challenging for many authors - especially when, given this novel is presented as a first person narrative, there's really no opportunity for the focus to shift off him. It would have been easy to overdo it, to lean into the most recognisable traits of that character and have him come across as manufactured. Instead, it's so well-balanced. Logic runs through the book, but so does compassion and the willingness to engage with emotion. It's quiet and thoughtful and considered, and it never wavers in that, even when the topic is unpleasant. The chapter dealing with Spock's forced mind-meld with Valeris, for instance, is especially good.

I really enjoyed it.