Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back [Mass Market Paperback]

Donald F. Glut (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 12, 1985

Although they had won a significant battle, the war between the Rebels and the Empire had really just begun. Soon, Luke, Han, the princess and their faithful companions were forced to flee, scattering in all directions--the Dark Lord's minions in fevered pursuit....

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Perhaps you think the Star Wars trilogy cannot be fully realized with audio alone. You think you'd miss the stunning visuals, the emotions of the actors, and the special effects. You think it would be a disappointment. As Yoda might say, "So impossible is it? So certain are you?" This production of The Empire Strikes Back was created by the same team that produced National Public Radio's amazingly successful presentation of Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama in 1981. Presented in 10 episodes, the longer format allows for a great expansion of the story and new scenes--though purists may be disappointed by the slight but significant change in the story line while the Rebels are on Hoth. Once again, Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels are on hand to reprise their roles as Luke Skywalker and C-3PO, and this time they are joined by Billy Dee Williams reprising his part as Lando Calrissian. A fine cast performs the rest of the roles, notably John Lithgow as Yoda and the very compelling Perry King as the "slimy, double-crossing, no good swindler" Han Solo. Sound effects and John Williams's score from the movie have been remixed to help create a convincing soundscape--so good, you can really "see" the movie by listening to it. The Empire Strikes Back: The Original Radio Drama will thrill all Star Wars fans, whether or not they enjoy audiobooks. (Running time: 5 hours, 5 cassettes) --C.B. Delaney --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Empire Strikes Back [brought to you by HighBridge Audio] was recorded in 1983 for National Public Radio, once again utilizing Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Anthony Daniels C3PO, Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian and John Lithgow as Yoda. Including the stunning music of John Williams performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, the ten episodes on five cassettes will capture the listener's imagination. I defy anyone to strap on headphones, or go for a very long drive listening to this show, and not fall right into the story itself. Sound separation and fidelity is unsurpassed, and hey, the story's not too bad either. -- Baby Boomer Collectibles, August 1994 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: LucasBooks; Reissue edition (June 12, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345320220
• ISBN-13: 978-0345320223
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.6 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #394,348 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good novelization for the movie. January 12, 2011

By Chad Lawrence

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I enjoyed the novelization of "The Empire Strikes Back" much more than the novelization of "A New Hope". I think it is mostly due to the writing of Donald Glut. It's unfortunate that he has not written other novels for the Star Wars Universe. While Foster's writing of "A New Hope" seemed dry and uninteresting, Glut's writing really brings "The Empire Strikes Back" to life. The characters and scenes are more vivid, and the book is simply more enjoyable to read.

This novelization also follows the film a lot more closely than the novelization for "A New Hope". There are only some minor differences, although there is more information in the book regarding Luke's training on Dagobah. It's mentioned that Yoda is a blue-skinned alien, and at the end Luke actually falls out of Cloud City and is still falling when the Millennium Falcon rescues him. There are other examples, but really they are just adjustments to scenes and nothing consequential.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic Film, Good Book August 7, 2007

By David Pruette VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

We all know the story that unfolds in The Empire Strikes Back, and many people consider it to be the best of the films. So what does an author do to make the story seem fresh to the reader? Add details? Change the story? Closely follow the film? In the case of this book, Mr. Glut has elected to follow the film. I think he made the right decision, and he describes the action very well. I was not distracted by being familiar with the story, and I think that the unique individual who has not seen the film would obtain a good grasp of the tale by reading this book. Just as in the film, it was great fun to follow our heroes from Hoth to Bespin and Dagobah. One can only wonder what happens next.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly disappointed in this one May 22, 2012

By L Hoover

Format:Mass Market Paperback

I don't mean to imply by saying that I was disappointed in this book that it was a bad book; it's not. It's a decent read, and definitely worth reading for any Star Wars fan. That said, I don't think it lived up to the novelization of A New Hope, nor did it live up to the movies. I honestly felt a lot of the book was overdone - almost like "overacting" in a novel. At times the novel seemed almost over dramatic; particularly Han's character. He seems to over react to much of what goes on around him, getting angry at little - which is not the vibe he gives off in the movie, in my opinion. I liked the movie Han better.

Along those same lines, the romance between Han and Leia was really overdone in this book. This isn't meant to be a romance story, but to me the romance seemed to be taking center stage for much of the story. I much preferred the approach in the movie where you definitely saw something happening between them, but it took a backseat to the rest of the story. The sarcastic relationship between Han and Leia in the movie was much preferable to the dreamy romance I felt this book was approaching.

Similarly, some of the interactions fell flat - particularly, as hinted at above, the Han and Leia relationship. I felt Luke and Yoda's relationship likewise did not have the same feeling and import as it did in the movie.

Again, this was a perfectly fine read, I just felt it didn't live up to the drama, excitement, and great characters of the movie. The characters in this novel were pale versions of themselves, I think. Read it if you want the full Star Wars experience, but don't expect great things.