Review - The Courtship of Princess Leia

"The Courtship of Princess Leia" - Dave Wolverton - May 1994

So I decided to reread for the first time in at least 4 years "The Courtship of Princess Leia" by Dave Wolverton (note: a great way to keep track of the last time you read your Star Wars novels - go to the coffee shop and use the receipt as the bookmark).

Here are the thoughts.

1. EU - It's fun. Generally. You have a bit of action and adventure, some romance (actually, the development of the relationship between Isolder and Teneniel Djo is one of the better ones in the entire EU - probably because it wasn't an author trying to create the "perfect" companion for a known character. That happens once and only once - all hail Mara Jade!), some action. I enjoyed reading it. It moved well.

2. EU - It has a good impact upon the EU. The Hapans are an interesting and beneficial culture. In fact, I don't think there has been another culture created in the EU that has has as much impact - and it works. The basis for why the culture is the way it is is presented here in a simple, understandable way. A bit of change is introduced to the culture as well - so future authors can easily grasp what should have been, but also have a ready reason to present changes, nuances, or details that they uniquely can bring in.

3. Bad - Now, as you may note, I am a Lutheran Pastor. I love theology. I have no problem with people bringing in some theological overtones into the Star Wars Universe. The Jedi are warrior monks, mystics - there will be some. The light and dark side and redemption are major themes - in fact when there is no religious/spiritual aspect something is lacking. However, while I appreciate the fact that Wolverton treats Luke like a literary Christ-figure, it does get laid on a touch thick, especially with an almost death and resurrection scene (I half expected Luke to tell Isolder to pick up his cross and follow him when they start out across Dathomir). However, what makes this egregious is the utter hippie bend that Luke goes on - we have to save the worms.... the worms. Maybe it's more Buddhist than hippie, but it seemed out of place (or maybe it just sits worse now that I've had the misfortune of seeing "Seven Years in a Movie Theater" - I mean "Seven Years in Tibet" and that part gave me flash backs) and not quite appropriate. Besides - the basic teaching of Yoda is that the force is all around...even in the inanimate. Hence, the "striking" realization that all life is part of the force... shouldn't be all that striking to Luke.

4. Bad The scale of wealth. I'm not a fan of bling. We know the Main Characters of Star Wars are awesome and cool - let Leia get a few rainbow jewels, not buckets and buckets of them. Sheesh. Too over the Top.

5. Ugly Nothing. Really - nothing ugly here. That's a good thing.

I give this book a B. I was tempted to give is a B- (which isn't bad - it's good, I'm going to be a tough grader), but the positive impact of Hapan culture upon the EU brings it up higher. Our first introduction to them brings with it some nostalgia. If you haven't read this one in a while, I recommend it. It's worth pulling off the shelf again.