Metamorphosis (Star Trek: The Next Generation) (Paperback)

by Jean Lorrah (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Unexplained gravitational disturbances summon Captain Picard and the Starship EnterpriseTM to the planet Elysia, and the android Lieutenant Commander Data to a date with destiny. For on this alien world, he is drawn into an impossible quest, leading him to consequences both heartwarming and disastrous, as he finally dares to pursue his fondest desire: to become human.

From the Publisher

Unexplained gravitational disturbances summon Captain Picard and the Starship Enterprise^TM to the planet Elysia, and the android Lieutenant Commander Data to a date with destiny. For on this alien world, he is drawn into an impossible quest, leading him to consequences both heartwarming and disastrous, as he finally dares to pursue his fondest desire: to become human.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Star Trek (March 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671684027
• ISBN-13: 978-0671684020
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #308,292 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Data Novel, Best Trek Novel, January 19, 2001

By	K. Baker (Utah, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is without a doubt the best Trek book I have ever read. I sat on my bed for around 7 or 8 hours reading it. I couldn't put it down! This story gives us the information that we have always wanted to know: What would it be like for Data to become human. Data has to go through daring challenges and trials with the help of a friend, and in the end is rewarded with his fondest wish. From this story we get to know Data better as a person and not just a machine. We find out what adjustments and sacrifices he has to make in order to attain and keep his new gift. He ponders about Tasha and relives certain moments of their friendship with emotion. A Trek book has never before been so well written and given such depth to characters as this one. Read it, you won't regret it. Keep it displayed on a shelf in your home afterwards. When you walk by it, you will instantly remember all of the touching and daring scenes and a spark of emotion will flutter from your heart.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Data finally gets to be a real boy, December 22, 2001

By	Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"Metamorphosis" was "the first giant novel" for Star Trek: The Next Generation, although Jean Lorrah's story is bigger in its ambition than it is in length. I have always thought that most Star Trek novels written while that particular series is still in production fall into two ends of the spectrum, either they are not worthy of being filmed as episodes or they involves things that make them too costly to do. In the middle there are books that go back and fill in the gaps in the show's history. However, "Metamorphosis" is different because it tells a story you would have thought they would get around to on STNG sooner or later: Data becomes human.

The Enterprise is studying unexplained gravitational disturbances on the planet Elysia. On the planet's surface Data meets a young woman named Thelia who thinks the android has been sent by the gods to accompany her on her quest. Data believes these "gods" might be the legendary Preservers and the pair proceeds on the quest together. To Data's surprise, whatever the Elysian gods are they grant his fondest desire and turn him into a human being. When he returns to the Enterprise and is immediately accosted by security guards demanding to know what has happened to Commander Data.

"Metamorphosis" takes place during the show's second season (obviously, since Katharine Pulaski is the ship's doctor), and takes place after "The Measure of a Man," the episode where Data has to defend his right to exist in a Starfleet court. The set-up is a tad on the mystical side, but Lorrah is on firmer ground in detailing the actual consequences of Data no longer being an android. I loved the irony that Pulaski, who has always been the one who treated Data least like he was human, is the only one who recognizes that Data looks exactly like he would if he was human. I do not think any one reading this book will be surprised that in the end Data discovers being human is not all he thought it would be, but this simply speaks to how on target Lorrah is in this novel. For fans of Data, this is certainly the STNG novel that should be first on their list for tracking down and checking out.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful exploration of Data, September 17, 1998

By A Customer

This book answers, to some degree, all the questions ever asked about what would happed to Data if he became human. And the biggest question of all, of course, was about love. This answers the most important questions, but i think it is wonderful the way Lorrah also pays so much attention to detail - all those little things that we do automatically, every day of our lives, were magically brought to life as Data examined them. This book is not only a must for everyone who loves Data, but simply for everyone who wants a fresh and joyful look at 24th Century life.