From A Certain Point Of View: Return Of The Jedi Book Review
“From A Certain Point Of View: Return Of The Jedi” is a hit-and-miss anthology book.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of “Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi,” a new book containing 40 stories titled “From A Certain Point Of View: Return Of The Jedi” has been released. The 40 stories are penned by 40 different authors that include Amal El-Mohtar, Phil Szostak, Olivia Chadha, Kwame Mbalia, Thea Guanzon, Saladin Ahmed, Tara Sim, K. Arsenault Rivera, Sarah Glenn Marsh, Kristin Baver, Charlie Jane Anders, Jason Fry, Akemi Dawn Bowman, Alex Jennings, Fran Wilde, Danny Lore, Patricia A. Jackson, Mary Kenney, Paul Crilley, Suzanne Walker, Max Gladstone, Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Marieke Nijkamp, Hannah WHitten, Ali Hazelwood, Lamar Giles, Sarah Kuhn, Olivie Blake, Sean Williams, Laura Pohl, Dana Schwartz, Gloria Chaos, Alyssa Wong, M.K. England, Emma Mieko Candon, Danielle Paige, Adam Lance Garcia, Mike Chen, Adam Christopher and Tom Angleberger.
So, what are these stories about? Like in the past two “From A Certain Point Of View” books, the stories revolve around a wide variety of characters. Within these pages readers can expect stories about Moff Jerjerrod overseeing the conduction of the second Death Star, Max Rebo, Ev-9D9, Bib Fortuna, Jess (a musician/waitress for Jabba), Rancor keeper Malakili, Boba Fett, Jabba guards Sion and Errin, Salacious Crumb, Sy Snootles, Sarlacc Pit, Imperial Sim Aloo, Bright-Eyes (Dagobah bog creature), Obi-Wan Kenobi Force Ghost, Mon Mothma, Lando and his followers, scout trooper TK-151, Wicket, Logray (the Ewok), Norra Wexley (mother of Snap Wexley), Commander Altadena Igar (the Imperial that Luke surrendered to), Admiral Ackbar, Arvel Crynyd (A-Wing Pilot), Riz (a Stormtrooper), Sila Kott (Red Squadron Pilot), Corr Lerann (Death Star Gunner), Nanta (Ewok), Darth Sidious, the final moments of the Super Star Destroyer Executor, TK-423 (Stormtrooper on Death Star 2), Admiral Piett), Royal Guards, Hoyel (a Scout Trooper), Karie Neth (Rebel Pilot), Wedge Antilles, Dora Mar (Rebel Historian), Dexter Jettster, Anakin Skywalker, Enric Pryde, and, of course, the Whills.
In the 90’s some of my favorite Star Wars books were the Tales Of books which would shed light on background characters or dig into moments that happened off screen. The “From A Certain Point Of View” line of books follows this model, but isn’t quite as consistent. The first “From A Certain Point Of View” book remains the best while ‘Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return Of The Jedi’ are decidedly uneven.
For as many talented Star Wars authors as there are now, it’s a little strange that so few of them write stories here. No disrespect to the authors featured, but where’s Claudia Gray, Timothy Zahn, James Luceno, Greg Rucka, and Beth Revis to name a few? The absence of these veteran presences was definitely felt as they no doubt could have had a field day by telling stories within the world of “Return of The Jedi.” Now, granted, it is nice to see an array of new authors, writing styles, lengths, tones, interconnectivity (Max Rebo appears in several stories for example)and even formats (Jarrett J. Krosoczka provides a short comic titled “Ackbar”), but the quality of some of these stories is lacking (see the Sarlacc Pit not liking meat tale “My Mouth Never Closes”).
Thankfully, there are still many memorable stories to be found here. Olivia Chadha’s “The Key To Remembering” is a poignant story about memory and EV-9D9’s droid life, Sarah Glenn Marsh’s “Everyone’s A Critic” about how Salacious Crumb came to stay with Jabba was a hoot, Alex Jennings explores Kenobi’s Force Ghost in “From A Certain Point Of View,” Hannah Whitten’s “Ending Protocol” traces the character of a Stormtrooper (Riz), “The Emperor’s Red Guards” shows what happened to the Emperor’s Guards once Palpatine asked them to leave the room, and Adam Christopher’s “The Steadfast Soldier” digs into Enric Pryde’s backstory prior to “Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker.” My personal favorite story, however, is the character piece “The Veteran” which revolves around Dexter Jettster on Coruscant after the destruction of Death Star 2 as he thinks about his old pal Kenobi.
“From A Certain Point Of View: Return Of The Jedi” may be long and uneven, but there’s still plenty to enjoy here (especially for longtime fans). Maybe next we can get a “From A Certain Point Of View: The Phantom Menace” in time for the film’s 25th anniversary?
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