Books › Star Wars - Empire Strikes Back - From a Certain Point of View
Star Wars - Empire Strikes Back - From a Certain Point of View
576 pages
A kaleidoscopic love letter to a cinematic masterpiece that zooms in on the forgotten faces at the edges of the frame.
What it feels like
Reading this anthology feels like wandering through the bustling, chaotic background of a beloved memory. Because it is a mosaic of forty distinct voices, the pace is inherently brisk, bouncing the reader from the frozen, desperate trenches of Hoth to the murky, dread-soaked swamps of Dagobah. The mood shifts wildly—one moment you are laughing at the wry, bureaucratic frustrations of an Imperial officer, and the next you are struck by the poignant, quiet tragedy of a misunderstood creature just trying to survive. The prose is an eclectic showcase of modern sci-fi and fantasy talent, each author bringing their own stylistic flair to the galaxy. It is a deeply affectionate, expansive experience designed to delight lore-obsessed readers who know that the most fascinating stories often happen just out of focus.
- Mood
- nostalgic
- cinematic
- expansive
- adventurous
- Tone
- affectionate
- playful
- poignant
- reverent
- wry
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- unseen perspectives · ripple effects of war · everyday lives in epic conflicts · survival and sacrifice
- The writing
- The writing is a kaleidoscope of distinct authorial voices, shifting seamlessly from punchy and comedic to lyrical and deeply introspective.
- The arc
- The journey bounces between laugh-out-loud absurdity and quiet, devastating tragedy, ultimately enriching a beloved narrative with unexpected emotional depth.
- Who it's for
- Devoted fans of expansive sci-fi universes who love pausing the movie to wonder about the inner lives of the extras in the background.
Content notes
- fantasy violence
- war themes
- grief
- animal death
About the book
Celebrate the legacy of The Empire Strikes Back with this exciting reimagining of the timeless film featuring new perspectives from forty acclaimed authors.
On May 21, 1980, Star Wars became a true saga with the release of The Empire Strikes Back. In honor of the fortieth anniversary, forty storytellers re-create an iconic scene from The Empire Strikes Back through the eyes of a supporting character, from heroes and villains, to droids and creatures. From a Certain Point of View features contributions by bestselling authors and trendsetting artists:
Austin Walker explores the unlikely partnership of bounty hunters Dengar and IG-88 as they pursue Han Solo. Hank Green chronicles the life of a naturalist caring for tauntauns on the frozen world of Hoth. Tracy Deonn delves into the dark heart of the Dagobah cave where Luke confronts a terrifying vision. Martha Wells reveals the world of the Ugnaught clans who dwell in the depths of Cloud City. Mark Oshiro recounts the wampa's tragic tale of loss and survival. Seth Dickinson interrogates the cost of serving a ruthless empire aboard the bridge of a doomed Imperial starship. Plus more hilarious, heartbreaking, and astonishing tales from: Tom Angleberger, Sarwat Chadda, S.A. Chakraborty, Mike Chen, Adam Christopher, Katie Cook, Zoraida Córdova, Delilah S. Dawson, Alexander Freed, Jason Fry, Christie Golden, Rob Hart, Lydia Kang, Michael Kogge, R. F. Kuang, C. B. Lee, Mackenzi Lee, John Jackson Miller, Michael Moreci, Daniel José Older, Amy Ratcliffe, Beth Revis, Lilliam Rivera, Cavan Scott, Emily Skrutskie, Karen Strong, Anne Toole, Catherynne M. Valente, Django Wexler, Kiersten White, Gary Whitta, Brittany N. Williams, Charles Yu, Jim Zub
All participating authors have generously forgone any compensation for their stories. Instead, their proceeds will be donated to First Book—a leading nonprofit that provides new books, learning materials, and other essentials to educators and organizations serving children in need. To further celebrate the launch of this book and both companies' longstanding relationships with First Book, Penguin Random House will donate $100,000 to First Book and Disney/Lucasfilm will donate 100,000 children's books—valued at $1,000,000—to support First Book and their mission of providing equal access to quality education.
Description from Open Library.
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