Customer Reviews

Far Beyond the Stars

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an excellent novel. It is based on the DS9 episode of the same name, but brings so much more out with respect to Benny Russell. The episode itself was a wonderful exploration of someone who had a dream in the 1950's that all peoples could someday live and work together in harmony and the book expands on this even more. Barnes has crafted a first rate novel, and the fact that it is a Star Trek novel doesn't detract at all, but adds to what he's done. In a world filled with conflict and racial tension, Star Trek gives us hope for the future. It allows us to hope that the human race can someday be one and explore the stars. This novel gives that idea a very relevant twist. Things are certainly better now than they were for Benny Russell, but there is still a long way to go.

This book made me FEEL the pain of racism and made me think hard about the ways in which is still manifested today. In addition to the two storylines followed in the television episode (Sisko in the 24th century and Russell in 1953), the book covered an earlier period in Benny Russell's life, which leads me to wonder - was this part also planned for the original episode, or did Barnes create it? The addition was most illuminating.

At first, it seems like a book about the TV episode, but it is more than that. It shows the life of Benny Russell, not just what happens to him on the episode. Steve Barnes not only takes you to the events of Benny's life, the emotions are so vivid, I cried. The issues of racism, prejudice, and hate are brought up in a very clever way, not just from the oppressed point of view, but also from the oppressor's point of view. If you like Star Trek, you'll like this book. It shows how Star Trek fits into our culture, how racism is still very much alive.

I hate most Star Trek novelizations, but this is an excellent piece of work. Dealing with racism and other issues sometimes left behind in the whiz-bang of the utopian Star Trek universe, this novel is what other Trek novelists should be shooting for. Old SF buffs will love it for the inside jokes and satire of science fiction's early days. Even the cover is a work of pure genius (a wonderful take-off on SF magazines like Amazing). All in all, a tip of the hat to Steve Barnes for a wonderful piece of work.

I throughly enjoyed reading this novel which is a novelization of an episode of Star Trek Deep Space Nine. The setting for most of this novel takes place in the 1950s in Harlem. Sisko (commander of Deep Space Nine) unexpectedly falls sick and is transported to Harlem, New York in the 1950s. He keeps his body but is a different person who is struggling to become a Science Fiction writer. By reading the novel we feel the main character's (Benny's) pain and wish him well, but everyone who has seen the episode knows what the outcome will be. Seeing how Benny overcame so much adversity and kept his dream alive in spite of all of the obstacles that confronted him was an emboldening story.

One of the things that I really liked about this book was how it went back to Benny's childhood and into the bodies of men from several generations back. We see Benny as a child growing up in Harlem and also as a slave in america tending the fields.

I think this story would be enjoyable for any reader, but I think those familiar with the characters on Star Trek Deep Space Nine will appreciate it much more. The story transposes the main characters from Deep Space Nine and puts them in a different setting along with Sisko giving them different names but having mostly the same personalities.

I was surprised to discover that the original episode on television was written by a white man, because it really brings out the feelings and frustrations of a black man living in a time when any black man other than a custodian, busboy or shoe shiner was seen as a threat to the majority community.

The author's note at the end of the book discusses the role of blacks in film and TV. The author makes some interesting and insightful observations on how far we've come and how Star Trek has been at the forefront in placing blacks in good parts.

Of all the Trek novels I've read only a handful of the stories ever remained in my conscience, this of course is one of them! I only hope that other readers realize that racism is still here today and that Trek is only a goody-two-shoes version of our future. We must not only hope, (nuff preachin'!) READ THE BOOK!! FEEL THE PAIN!! DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!

"Far Beyond the Stars" is regarded as being one of the best Deep Space Nine episodes, and for good reason. Steve Barnes' novelization ticks all the right boxes, especially when depicting Russell's feelings and thoughts. There are some nice scenes added for the novelization that take place in the 1940s, including where Russell meets a man from Mali. The exchange is based on the real life story of the Dogon people supposedly possessing astronomical knowledge of the stars.

If you have not seen Far Beyond the Stars -- see it. It's simply one of the best Star Trek episodes ever, of all the series. You don't necessarily have to be a Deep Space Nine fan to enjoy it either -- just being a fan of great stories, or of science fiction, would be enough.

The book is a wonderful supplement to the TV episode, adding in many details and extra scenes. It perfectly captures the tone and mood of 1950s New York, as the episode did. Benny Russell is an unforgettable character.

The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because of a jarring line or two in there comparing the situtation of women vs. blacks in the '50s. It was totally unnecessary, IMHO, not to mention rather insensitive. A woman writer features in the story - like Benny, she's told to "call in sick" on the day the magazine staff is photographed for their next issue - how dare a woman be a sci-fi- writer? But the author says she has it better because "she can live where she wants, her kids can go to the best schools..." Hmm.

Other than that however, it's a wonderful read.

I liked the episode, but the book was so much better there's almost no comparison. Steven Barnes' story of Benny Russell's struggle to preserve his dream of "Deep Space Nine" against racism blends a Christ-figure with the same restrained, tolling tone as Langston Hughes' poetry to show a man whose passion is such that it elevates his "fiction" to the level of prophecy (inside the Trek universe, anyway). Read this story and then consider its basic premise in general terms. Your life just might change in unexpected ways.

Clearly "Far Beyond the Stars" was one of the best Deep Space Nine episodes in it's seven year run. Steven Barnes took that episode and, in a very short amount of time, turned the novelization into an amazing accoutrement to that episode. Even more so than the episode, you can feel for the characters in the book. It is at times gut wrenching and at other times totally enlightening. The author captured all of the character's with perfection. He also captured the 50's era with ease. A truly delightful book. If you've not read this, you need to whether or not you're a fan of trek fiction. It would be nice if the author would make another foray into the trek universe.