Kenobi
1 journaler for this copy...
6 stars: Enjoyed Parts of it
From the back cover: Tatooine, the harsh desert planet on the edge of civilized space, is an unlikely place to find a Jedi Master in hiding. Known to locals only as Ben, the bearded and robed offworlder shares nothing of his past and goes to great pains to remain an outsider. But when violence erupts between some of Tatooine's farmers and a tribe of marauding Tusken Raiders, Ben finds himself drawn into the conflct. It's a move that may reveal him as Obo-Wan Kenobi, hero of the Clone Wars., enemy of the Empire - and endanger his true mission as protector of the galaxy's last hope. But with blood unjustly spilled, innocent lives threatened and a ruthless opponent unmasked, Ben has no choice but to summon Jedi wisdom and the formidable power of the Force.
--------------
I enjoyed this book, but it also was nothing special. Many reviewers comment that Ben is "barely in it". I don't find that true at all. He is in the prologue, then doesn't show up until about page 60. After that, the book is not told from his point of view (it alternates chapter viewpoints between two main characters, and also support characters including a Tusken Raider). However, he is in it regularly and is a catalyst for many things which occur. At the end of each section, he has a meditation to Qui -Gon, although QG never makes an appearance / response.
The two main characters, Orrin Gault and Annileen Calwell are interesting and compelling. There are enough hints of the past and the main Skywalker saga to keep it interesting, but these are "simple farmers" with their own needs and stories. Orrin is likeable, but gets in financial trouble over his head. He also has the bantering attraction towards Annileen, his best friend's widow. Annileen (Ben refuses to call her "Annie" even when asked) is strong and independent, feels drawn towards Ben, and struggles with her children and expectations to keep her store/bar running. A'Yark, our Tusken Raider, is a good addition to the saga, as we learn more about the culture of the Raiders. Ben, who tries to stay unobtrusive, yet he can't allow people to be harmed, which draws attention to him at times.
One point off for the last 50 pages or so. There's a standoff between various inhabitants, including farmers, Jabba's hencmen, Gault, the Calwells and Kenobi. The book definitely "jumps the shark" and is hard to follow and unnecessarily complex. The ending with Kenobi setting the futures for both Annileen (offworld - which both she and Ben need) and Gault (SPOILER.... he is given to the Raiders, much to his horror) is satisfying.
A few quotes I liked:
"Yes, I expect things will be slower. I'll be far from anywhere, and alone with nothing but my regrets to keep my company. If only there were a place to hide from those."
"Well, we've determined one thing, Ben. Whatever job you had before you came here, you werne't a cook. But you tried."
"I didn't try. I *did*. It's just that what I did wasn't very good. I have a friend who's quite militant about trying."
I missed all this, while rushing about to save the galaxy. Seeing that, for many people, the smaller struggles are just as important to them as our larger ones are to us. It was a good lesson for me to learn.
If the simple act of caring deeply for a person - especially someone as good as Padme' - is destructive in principle, then the Force has a peculiar view of what constitutes good and evil. You told me yourself that the Jedi weren't always against relationships. And consider: families are strong in the Force. Does the Force really understand what it wants? No matter - I understand myself. I can give up love. I have given up love. But I wasn't prepared to give up the thing I had instead.
Community.
"You're not going to get me to feel sorry for the Tuskens" Annileen said indignantly.
"All life is sacred," Ben said. "Even life that comes in forms that we don't understand."
"Maybe there is good [in Orrin]. There's good in most. But look what he's done. What he's willing to do. Where do you drawn the line?" Ben said, rising from the floor.
The question made Annileen dizzy. "I thought you two were friends."
Ben fixed his eyes on a darkened corner. "I don't know what we were" he said softly. "But even if we'd been friends for years, things would be no different. When friends go wrong, you don't get a choice about what to do."
"It sounds... like you know something about that."
"MOre than I ever wanted to" he murmured and looked away.
Orrin sat up. He blinked sand from his eyes. "I'll lose everything".
Ben inhaled deeply. "Sometimes it takes losing everything to find your true path."
From the back cover: Tatooine, the harsh desert planet on the edge of civilized space, is an unlikely place to find a Jedi Master in hiding. Known to locals only as Ben, the bearded and robed offworlder shares nothing of his past and goes to great pains to remain an outsider. But when violence erupts between some of Tatooine's farmers and a tribe of marauding Tusken Raiders, Ben finds himself drawn into the conflct. It's a move that may reveal him as Obo-Wan Kenobi, hero of the Clone Wars., enemy of the Empire - and endanger his true mission as protector of the galaxy's last hope. But with blood unjustly spilled, innocent lives threatened and a ruthless opponent unmasked, Ben has no choice but to summon Jedi wisdom and the formidable power of the Force.
--------------
I enjoyed this book, but it also was nothing special. Many reviewers comment that Ben is "barely in it". I don't find that true at all. He is in the prologue, then doesn't show up until about page 60. After that, the book is not told from his point of view (it alternates chapter viewpoints between two main characters, and also support characters including a Tusken Raider). However, he is in it regularly and is a catalyst for many things which occur. At the end of each section, he has a meditation to Qui -Gon, although QG never makes an appearance / response.
The two main characters, Orrin Gault and Annileen Calwell are interesting and compelling. There are enough hints of the past and the main Skywalker saga to keep it interesting, but these are "simple farmers" with their own needs and stories. Orrin is likeable, but gets in financial trouble over his head. He also has the bantering attraction towards Annileen, his best friend's widow. Annileen (Ben refuses to call her "Annie" even when asked) is strong and independent, feels drawn towards Ben, and struggles with her children and expectations to keep her store/bar running. A'Yark, our Tusken Raider, is a good addition to the saga, as we learn more about the culture of the Raiders. Ben, who tries to stay unobtrusive, yet he can't allow people to be harmed, which draws attention to him at times.
One point off for the last 50 pages or so. There's a standoff between various inhabitants, including farmers, Jabba's hencmen, Gault, the Calwells and Kenobi. The book definitely "jumps the shark" and is hard to follow and unnecessarily complex. The ending with Kenobi setting the futures for both Annileen (offworld - which both she and Ben need) and Gault (SPOILER.... he is given to the Raiders, much to his horror) is satisfying.
A few quotes I liked:
"Yes, I expect things will be slower. I'll be far from anywhere, and alone with nothing but my regrets to keep my company. If only there were a place to hide from those."
"Well, we've determined one thing, Ben. Whatever job you had before you came here, you werne't a cook. But you tried."
"I didn't try. I *did*. It's just that what I did wasn't very good. I have a friend who's quite militant about trying."
I missed all this, while rushing about to save the galaxy. Seeing that, for many people, the smaller struggles are just as important to them as our larger ones are to us. It was a good lesson for me to learn.
If the simple act of caring deeply for a person - especially someone as good as Padme' - is destructive in principle, then the Force has a peculiar view of what constitutes good and evil. You told me yourself that the Jedi weren't always against relationships. And consider: families are strong in the Force. Does the Force really understand what it wants? No matter - I understand myself. I can give up love. I have given up love. But I wasn't prepared to give up the thing I had instead.
Community.
"You're not going to get me to feel sorry for the Tuskens" Annileen said indignantly.
"All life is sacred," Ben said. "Even life that comes in forms that we don't understand."
"Maybe there is good [in Orrin]. There's good in most. But look what he's done. What he's willing to do. Where do you drawn the line?" Ben said, rising from the floor.
The question made Annileen dizzy. "I thought you two were friends."
Ben fixed his eyes on a darkened corner. "I don't know what we were" he said softly. "But even if we'd been friends for years, things would be no different. When friends go wrong, you don't get a choice about what to do."
"It sounds... like you know something about that."
"MOre than I ever wanted to" he murmured and looked away.
Orrin sat up. He blinked sand from his eyes. "I'll lose everything".
Ben inhaled deeply. "Sometimes it takes losing everything to find your true path."
