This week the Library Computer begins an ongoing series of retro novel reviews, spotlighting the best books for a specific character. We start with three classic tales with the first lady of linguistics, Nyota Uhura..
UHURA SPOTLIGHT
So like many fans, I am of the opinion that Nichelle Nichols’ Uhura was magnificently underused throughout the run of the original series. While the new Star Trek feature film has taken great strides to place Zoe Saldana’s version of the character right in the mix of things, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman aren’t the first writers to seek a more prominent role for the Enterprise’s communications officer. This week we are taking a look at three classic novels that do just that. Who knows, perhaps one of them proved to be a bit of an inspiration to the duo when they were crafting the script for Star Trek.
“The Tears of the Singers” by Melinda Snodgrass
(Published September 1984)
The inhabitants of the planet Taygeta are small, seal-like, singing animals. Their sentience is debatable, but the effect of their death is not. When they die, they produce a jewel-like tear, prompting hunters from throughout the galaxy to head for the planet in search of their share of the prize. As if that wasn’t enough, a large space/time anomaly is growing nearby, and Spock suspects a connection between the anomaly and the ‘singers’. The anomaly isn’t static, however – it’s already consumed one starship, and with trouble on Kor’s ship and musician Guy Maslin seeking to discover a means of communicating with the creatures, Uhura finds herself in the midst of both a struggle to save a world, and a personal journey of the heart, as time is ticking away on the fate of the ‘singers’ and the universe.
“The Tears of the Singers” is the sole novel penned by Melinda Snodgrass, who would go on to serve as a story editor for The Next Generation, and to write several episodes of that series. Snodgrass’ story isn’t solely focused on Uhura, but it does portray her in a far more complex manner than any of the television episodes or movies did, while, at the same time, giving her an in-depth communications challenge that would genuinely require a lofty measure of skill on her part.
While “Tears of the Singers” doesn’t depend visually on the Original Series all that much, it would be difficult to envision this tale in the new continuity due to Uhura’s budding romantic feelings for Guy Maslin.
“Uhura’s Song” by Janet Kagan
(Published January 1985)
The planet Eeiauo is plague-ridden, and the contagion threatens not only the cat-like natives, but humanoids as well. With the planet dying a slow, painful death, the only hope lay in forbidden lullabies exchanged between Lt. Uhura and a native of the planet many years before. Now the crew of the Enterprise must track down the mysterious origins of the Eeiauo people and find a cure for the disease before an entire population goes extinct.
Possibly best known as being one of the ultimate ‘Mary Sue’ stories in the Star Trek book line, there are some moments when it feels like this book was supposed to be titled “Evan’s Story” because of the prominence of one-time-guest Evan Wilson, a doctor who takes McCoy’s place on the Enterprise enabling him to stay and work on the disease on Eeiauo. While Wilson threatens to upstage everyone on several occasions (and, depending on your perspective, does), it is Uhura’s past experience and linguistic prowess that constantly drives the story further, leading to an interesting, unexpected, and curious discovery on the part of the crew of the Enterprise.
Possibly the most notable feature of “Uhura’s Song” is the great depth with which Kagan forms the civilization that gave rise to the people of Eeiauo, and, in turn, the Eeiauo civilization itself. Much of the book is spent peeling back the layers of a civilization in a way that makes both species interesting, vital, and alive in the mind of the reader.
For those so inclined, there would be no problem whatsoever with placing this story in the new Trek continuity, and Uhura’s adroitness with both the cultures and languages she encounters fits nicely with what we saw in the recent film.
“Firestorm” by L.A. Graf
(Published January 1994)
Many Star Trek fans decry the third season of the original series for such episodes as "Spock’s Brain" and "Plato’s Stepchildren", and some include "Elaan of Troyus" in the mix of episodes to avoid. Regardless of your view of that episode, this follow-up by L. A. Graf is a most satisfying Star Trek adventure.
In the story, a Federation geology team is observing the largest known super-volcano in the Federation (think Olympus Mons on Mars with a steroid injection) when their observations fall under the harassment of a mining operation run by the Elasians, whose encampment is serving as the temporary home of Israi, the Dohlman of the Elasians. As arrogant as any previous Dohlman, Israi agrees to speak only with the Dohlman of the Enterprise, a ‘duty’ that Captain Kirk places squarely in the lap of Lieutenant Commander Uhura.
However, not all is as it seems. Geologists question the claims of the Elasian miners, Kirk questions the date of their planetary claim, and traitors lurk in the midst of the Dohlman’s camp as a fleet closes in on the planet, the Enterprise, and the Elasians.
This story flows so wonderfully well that it is a joy to read. The arrogance and self-righteousness of the Elasians from the original episode are perfectly conveyed, while at the same time Graf builds out the Elasian culture into a distinctively evolved one based on fierce devotion to the Dohlman and the bond created by the famous biochemical tears that Elaan used many years before to hold sway over Captain Kirk.
While Kirk and Spock get their fair share of story-time, the main focus is on Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov as they struggle to overcome a situation that could kill them all. The settings of the tale are vividly described, and the narrative, while brisk, leaves out nothing that is needed to follow the story and vividly envision the dire settings one is taken to by Graf.
“Firestorm” requires a certain set of assumptions concerning Uhura to be completely effective, and, being set as it is in the original movie era, it definitely does not fit with the new continuity established in the 2009 feature film; however, it remains a fast paced, snappy read that is probably the best of the three that we have looked at this week.
Final thoughts
This week’s column has featured three novels that I passed over when they werefirst released as being too ‘boring’ for my tastes… but which I can now highly recommend on their own merits. “Firestorm” feels like a good candidate for an episode of the never-filmed “Phase II” series, while “Uhura’s Song” feels like a movie in and of itself. Of course, with the latter you will have to embrace a ‘Mary Sue’ (well written, to be sure, but still a distraction) in the midst of the story, but the unique nature of the civilizations that Kagan develops makes it worth a read. Snodgrass’ “The Tears of the Singers”, also an enjoyable read, is probably the weakest of the three, but if you are really looking for some original Trek tales featuring our favorite communicator, then these three Uhura stories may well fit the bill.
I prefer comics to novels…
I prefer novels to comics…
Novels get to long, and they are so drawn out and sometimes boring
I really enjoyed Firestorm and agree with the analysis. Thanks for the post!
If you want to appeal to more readers, little details like explaining what a “Mary Sue” is would probably help.
what set of assumptions?
@Odkin
A Mary Sue (sometimes just Sue), in literary criticism and particularly in fanfiction, is a fictional character with overly idealized and hackneyed mannerisms, lacking noteworthy flaws, and primarily functioning as wish-fulfillment fantasies for their authors or readers.
L2Google
#6 already asked, but I’ll second the question: “what set of assumptions?”
RE: “Firestorm” assumptions –
Firestorm really requires the history of the TOS version of Uhura, including the transitions into the movie era to fully be appreciated. In other words, the limited information we have on Zoe Saldana’s take on Uhura doesn’t give us enough to really feel like it connects between both timelines.
Rob+
5. Odkin
Effectively a character that is the author putting himself or herself into the story as a kind of wish-fulfillment. Diane Carey was sometimes accused of it for her Lt Piper stories (although I really enjoyed her books!)
“While the new Star Trek feature film has taken great strides to place Zoe Saldana’s version of the character right in the mix of things”
Uh, how? She doesn’t do anything.
I remember really enjoying ‘Uhura’s Song’ (it was one of my first ST novels), even if I didn’t know much about ST universe back then when I was reading it, and I have seen only the ST movies (TOS is the only thing from ST franchise that I’ve not seen; sadly, it never aired here). The book has quite a few surprises, and I quite liked the Evan Wilson character (it being a Mary Sue is news to me), I even Googled for more stories with Evan, but couldn’t find none.
And I can well see parts of this book made into a movie. Well, maybe without cat-like creatures, but a galaxy-threatening epidemy, more action for Bones, some unexpected discoveries to be made, and maybe even a mysterious Q-like character is really something I’d like to see in the next Star Trek movies.
Nothing?
Let’s see, she confirmed that the Nero and his crew was Romulan based on her translation skills, replacing the communications’ officer who wasn’t as fluent in Romulan dialect.
She confirmed signals that the Romulans were responsible for squirmishes with the Klingons.
She helped Kirk convince Pike that the Enterprise was walking into to a trap at Vulcan… saving the Enterprise from certain destruction.
…and I won’t even go into her importance in Spock’s life (too many folks just have a big problem with that, which I find interesting when you consider Amanda is human too–though I will admit the romance is a little too heavy-handed in at least one scene–the transporter room).
Nothing? I think that is a bit of an overstatement.
One of the best Uhura stories is missing in your list – “The Disinherited” by Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman and Robert Greenberger.
Uhura is transfered to the USS Lexington under Commodore Bob Wesley and is uncovering a Mystery that helps Captain Kirk and the USS Enterprise to stop a Galaxy-Wide War.
Great Book. It does focus on Uhura and Chekov.
For those who think about these kinds of things: Uhura’s Song is also an AWESOME introduction to ST books for young but bright girls. At the risk of dating myself, I will say that I was 13 or 14 when it first came out, and I loved it. I’d read other ST novels, but Uhura’s Song was the first one I really dug. Evan Wilson was a big part of it — although I saw her as a Trickster, not a Mary Sue, because I was into folklore — and so was Uhura. I think Kagan’s interpretation of Spock was a bit off, but close enough for jazz.
I just started re-reading the book with my 10-year-old daughter, who, after seeing ST09 twice, is now begging for more Trek. Uhura’s song integrates three of her favorite things in the universe right now: Strong female characters to balance out the guys, a Trickster, and cats. Lots and lots of cats. :-)
“Tears of the Singer” and “Uhura’s Song” are two of the better TOS novelisations featuring Uhura. I haven’t read either in years. I am going to have to revist them.
Y’know, one of the things that *always* bugged me was how ambiguous it was when the novel was set — was it during the initial 5 year mission under Kirk, the next 5 year mission post-V’Ger, the missions post-STIV (TVH). Not to be such a nitpicker, but it helps set the theater of the mind, as it were.
One minor trick I stumbled upon years ago was mentions of Chapel. If she’s Nurse Chapel, it’s an original 5 year mission novel. If it’s Doctor, well, you know it’s at least after ST:TMP.
However, I do appreciate when (very rarely) the authors of various TREK novels try to present the timeframe near the story’s beginning, or even with a blurb (“This novel takes place during the original 5 year mission, shortly after the ENTERPRISE’s encounter with the Planet Killer” or something like that). The cover art is typically no help, as they would often show the refit 1701, or the movie uniforms, but the story took place during the TOS run, etc.
For a pretty damn good reference, if you’re interested, I’d recommend “STAR TREK: VOYAGES OF IMAGINATION” ( http://tinyurl.com/kmvwev ). It’s somewhat dated but a great reference source for the TREK reader.
FWIW, I’ve been buying old TREK novels via my Kindle over the past year; been a lot of fun re-reading these books, and discovering ones I bypassed (like a couple mentioned in the article here).
Whoops; I should add that I’m not saying any of these novels are in that “ambiguous time setting” category. I don’t recall them enough to know.
(sure wish these posts had an edit button)
@ MC1 Doug
– Let’s see, she confirmed that the Nero and his crew was Romulan based on her translation skills, replacing the communications’ officer who wasn’t as fluent in Romulan dialect.
Which helped how? The moment she took the bridge station, nothing happened. In essence, that bit was only meant to expand Kirk’s role, not hers, because it didn’t make any difference if the Enterprise entered Vulcan because it would have still taken the Narada an entire minute to detect the Enterprise.
– She confirmed signals that the Romulans were responsible for squirmishes with the Klingons.
Same as above.
– She helped Kirk convince Pike that the Enterprise was walking into to a trap at Vulcan… saving the Enterprise from certain destruction.
Same as above. The Enterprise wasn’t in any immediate danger when it entered Vulcan and the shields wouldn’t have made a difference in the debris field as it was depicted.
– and I won’t even go into her importance in Spock’s life
I will. That was only relevant because she was there comforting and reassuring him. It doesn’t make her more important, it just makes her more of a use to the male characters of the show.
And didn’t you also find it weird that after Uhura takes her station that two ‘communication’ based orders go by that she doesn’t take part in? First was alerting Starfleet on what happened to Vulcan which was handled by an off-camera crew member, not Uhura. Than there was Kirk ordering to hail the Narada when it was being engulfed by the black hole. Was it Uhura who said “Aye, sir.”? No. It was Chekov who opened hailing frequencies.
Again, not only does she not do anything by herself that’s important, her role is strictly limited to ensuring that the male characters move up, not her. Her promotion to the communication’s station may have been nice, but she never does anything while at that station.
I remember both enjoying and hating “Uhura’s Song”. I admired the detail Kagan put into developing the alien race but also hated the two Mary Sue aspects (not just one mentioned above): Evan and the cat race itself — I couldn’t help thinking this writer obviously lives alone with a bunch of cats to whom she’s populated the book with. I’ve always liked cats (my wife and I have three) but the subtext of some crazy cat-lady author’s fantasy world where her pet cats form their own civilization was pretty creepy.
I have all of these three books and I’ve read them.
20. Izbot –
Part 2
…And creepier, that Evan comes across as the crazy cat-lady’s ideal love-interest — a talking cat.
I recommend this book to people who always wondered what a Star Trek episode written by Andrew Lloyd Webber would be like.
May I thank everyone’s comments about the books so far, very informative and intuitive. All except the first one. I know Mr Data is still building his Positronic brain persona matrix or he’s B4 replacement. But as you learn your brain will grow and be able to build visions from words. Contrary to the saying a picture is worth a thousand word. There is also a saying a comic is lucky to say a hundred words. One novel page can make 3 to 6 comic books.
Mr. Data (whom I feel is actually B4 playing Data) best wishes on developing a persona matrix. From the books and videos in my Library you would fill the Grand Canyon with Comics books to learn an equivalent value of Knowledge. And my Library is only three walls of shelves holding book, magazines, and DVD, some VHS tapes but those are being replaced over time. And the room is 10’x15′.
One of my favorite Trek novels is “Memory Prime,” and it happens to feature Uhura in a very strong command role, having to stand up to a starbase commander who is acting captain in the absence of Kirk and Spock. He predictably runs roughshod over the crew and the ship, and Uhura does a great job telling him what is what aboard the Enterprise.
That said, it is more of a Kirk/Spock story, with some Scotty thrown in (sequel to Lights of Zehtar that it is), but Uhura really shines as well.
Check out The Best of Trek from 1994.. edited by GB Love and Walter Irwin :there are two awesome writings about Uhura’s first name and the relationship of Spock and Uhura.. They give some great insight into Uhura..as you say the most under utilized character in the series!
20. Izbot
Yeah, I got the crazy cat lady subtext, too, upon re-reading it. It’s still fun, though!
A little off topic…you know what would be cool? A collection or calendar featuring the artwork of Boris Vallejo that was used on the covers in the early years of the Star Trek novels. (Like the first two above.) Really nice work. A harsher edge to them but riveting stuff.
Rick
#19: “Was it Uhura who said “Aye, sir.”? No. It was Chekov who opened hailing frequencies.”
I didn’t notice the other one you mentioned, but yeah, that one stuck out as odd to me. It was like they were so dead-set against her being “the chick who operates the space phone” that she was being prevented from operating the space phone :)
My main issue with Uhura’s placement on the bridge is that it just felt forced, ham-handed, inelegant, uncreative and arbitrary. I accept this mainly on the grounds that the rest of the film’s plot-points and character moments felt pretty much the same way.
Boy, that book cover brings back some memories. I don’t remember all the details, but I do remember that I really enjoyed “Uhura’s Song.” As I recall, it was very detailed in the building of the cat people and their world, and I’ve always had a special place for Uhura, having a linguistic bent myself. I recommend a read; in my case, a re-read.
Also, on a side note, I just watched Transformers 2. What crap. The reinvigoration of ST was nice; but, after both Romulus and Vulcan, I fear for Kronos and Earth at their hands.
One thing I can definitely say positively about “Tears of the Singers” and “Uhura’s Song” is how much I loved those Boris Vallejo covers! Boris was one of the great fantasy cover artists at the time and his Trek paintings never disappointed. Can’t say the same for Keith Birdsong who did the cover for “Firestorm” above. He relied so heavily on studio promo photos that he reused the same portraits over and over and over. Boris worked in oils whereas Birdsong did mixed media — colored pencils and gauche.
Another relevent Uhura novel…Uhura’s first name was created by author William Rotsler for his book Star Trek II Biographies. Another book in that series “Star Trek II short stories” has the distinction of depicting the Enterprise upside down on the cover!
@17
>However, I do appreciate when (very rarely) the authors of various TREK >novels try to present the timeframe near the story’s beginning, or even >with a blurb (”This novel takes place during the original 5 year mission, >shortly after the ENTERPRISE’s encounter with the Planet Killer” or >something like that).
Don’t 60% of star trek novels reference City on the Edge of Forever.
I loved all 3 Uhura based novels, as well as any other that depicts her in a positive light! She has always been a favorite of mine, and continues to be in the alternate timeline as well! Nichelle Nichols and Zoe Saldana are both wonderful as Nyota Uhura(isn’t it wonderful her 1st name was finally acknowledged in canon after 42+ years?!). Hopefully Zoe’s Uhura won’t be held back by sexism as Nichelle’s Uhura suffered in the original series! Uhura, old & new, 1966 vs. 2009,Nichelle or Zoe… ROCKS!!!!!!!!!
Also don’t understand any issues with Uhura/Spock romance as these 2 were flirtatious @ times, and their relationship can develop more intimately in the divergent timeline!!
i agree with you above me #32, devon
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Why are you people trying so damn hard to fit these old novels into the “new continuity???”
Leave JJ Abrams on his island. Don’t let some arrogant rogue director from outside the Star Trek circle come in and redefine your universe.
Why do you accept it? What does Zoe know about Uhura? Use your time, efforts, talents and treasure to hold JJ Abrams accountable…if not to the “prime” ST universe…then at least to non-lazy, thoughtful storytelling.
And to the guy who likes the “cover art”….take a look at “Uhura’s Song.” We see Spock in a motion picture uniform and Uhura in a classic red uniform. Talk about recycling stock photos. At least match your timeframes…unless you know NOTHING about Star Trek. He must be related to Abrams/Kurtzman/Orci.
Wonder how THAT fits into the “new reality…?”
Oh, and P.S.
I’m already tired of using the word “prime” when referring to the correct universe.
Plus it sounds stupid.
I totally agree with “Greg H.” here folks. I honestly feel like it’s an “us” and “them” mentality. People are constantly asked are they “Trekkies” or “Trekkers” it’s silly. I am neither. I loved the show in the 60’s, at least the first 2 seasons. How many times have I seen every episode? Truthfully I have seen every first season episode well over 300 times…probably hundreds more. Second season somewhere around the same. It’s not my life, however I loved the show. THAT show. So I refer to Trek as that. I never got too wrapped up in all the Trek Universe stuff that came after. I’m not saying they were bad, I’m just saying Star Trek was that, the show I liked. Star Trek NextGen is a show I didn’t care for but that’s my own opinion. I’m NOT SAYING IT’S BAD, just not a show I totally dug. I wonder how many people would change their tune if they made a academy days movie about the next gen. Instead of Picard being sharp and intelligent with a british or french accent (sorry not sure which), he was a loose cannon calling security guards “cupcake” with a german accent and starfleet giving him the enterprise hours after being reprimanded (as a cadet) or better yet, Data (prime-BTW, I too hate this word) tells his younger self to be more of a computer and don’t seek to be human (basically changing the entire character of Data). All I’m saying is this movie was lazily made. Not “my” Star Trek…but rather “Their” Star Trek. Which is fine, I’m happy with my BluRay Season1 and Season2 on the horizon.
Star Wars Rocks!
LOL, Sorry. I absolutly loved the new Star Trek and for me and many other ladies we can’t wait to see more of the Spock/Uhura thing. It just has to be more subtle.
@Jeyl
– Which helped how? The moment she took the bridge station, nothing happened. In essence, that bit was only meant to expand Kirk’s role, not hers, because it didn’t make any difference if the Enterprise entered Vulcan because it would have still taken the Narada an entire minute to detect the Enterprise.
You’re missing a crucial bit of information from that scene. They were all warping into a trap, unprepared militaristic because they were not intending to fight an powerful enemy but assist Vulcan in an possible evacuation effort. Kirk arrived on the bridge to alert Captain Pike, but it was Uhura’s confirmation and Spock’s acknowledgement that help saved the Enterprise crew to buy them some time to jump into a defensive state.
Kirk was a marked man and was not even supposed to be on the ship or even the bridge. Without Uhura, he would have been thrown in the brig.
Also, had that not happened, the ship would have been a sitting duck and possibly severely damaged.
– Same as above.
Same as above.
– Same as above. The Enterprise wasn’t in any immediate danger when it entered Vulcan and the shields wouldn’t have made a difference in the debris field as it was depicted.
What do you mean it wasn’t in any immediate danger? They warped right into the middle of a vicious attack on a planet and the aftermath of a vicious battle. Her information gave them an advantage to be prepared for what they were to enter. They didn’t enter Vulcan space “blindly” like the rest of the fleet – they were prepared.
– I will. That was only relevant because she was there comforting and reassuring him. It doesn’t make her more important, it just makes her more of a use to the male characters of the show.
The whole movie is about Spock. Not Kirk, Spock, despite what many may say. Every emotional scene was focused on Spock, not Kirk. He was the action hero, hanging from every ledge possible while Spock carried the personal and emotional development.
The whole movie was about how this young Spock has to deal with the fight between picking his Vulcan side and Human side… While the pairing maybe out there in terms of how it delivered, her character helped showcase to the world that Spock wasn’t an emotionless robot. He did have feelings, he did crumble under the loss of his mother, and he did love someone else.
Uhura was his humanity personified, Sarek was his Vulcan(ity) personified. The two characters played a big part on Spock’s emotional display and development in the movie. I do not understand why people just don’t get that.
– And didn’t you also find it weird that after Uhura takes her station that two ‘communication’ based orders go by that she doesn’t take part in? First was alerting Starfleet on what happened to Vulcan which was handled by an off-camera crew member, not Uhura. Than there was Kirk ordering to hail the Narada when it was being engulfed by the black hole. Was it Uhura who said “Aye, sir.”? No. It was Chekov who opened hailing frequencies.
Did you also conveniently missed every other scene when Uhura was in command of her station, announcing when all communication was down? Even in TOS, sometimes Spock would pick up ship transmissions and give it to Kirk. Everyone in the movie outside of Kirk and Spock were completely “useless” by your definition. Don’t simply pin it on Uhura and Uhura alone.
– Again, not only does she not do anything by herself that’s important, her role is strictly limited to ensuring that the male characters move up, not her. Her promotion to the communication’s station may have been nice, but she never does anything while at that station.
Look above