Having said that, there are important exclusions from Hidalgo’s compendium: children’s literature and storybooks for those younger than twelve, graphic novels, and stories of video games unless they are “adapted into a book.” As Hidalgo notes, “The Essential Reader’s Companion focuses on prose fiction.” It spans thirty-six plus years beginning in December 1976 with George Lucas’ original movie paperback Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker and ending with Jason Fry’s adaptation of Star Wars: Clone Wars cartoon episodes “Revival,” “Eminence,” “Shades of Reason,” and “The Lawless” into the book Darth Maul: Shadow Conspiracy due for release in 2013. This chronology, of first to last, is found in Appendix A. The book itself is divided into eight eras where all the stories are put into their proper place on the timeline:
- Tales of Ancient Jedi And Sith
- Height of the Republic
- The Clone Wars
- The Dark Times
- The Galactic Civil War
- The New Republic
- The New Jedi Order
- Legacy
And with The Essential Reader’s Companion, Hidalgo has given me an amazing insight:
“The first Star Wars spin-off novel, Splinter of the Mind’s Eye was written with the possibility of it being produced as a film. According to Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz, the novel took into account production budgets by being set in filmable locations (jungles, underground caverns) and avoiding costly visual effects sequences like space battles. Even Han Solo’s notable absence from the story is the result of a production reality - Harrison Ford was not contracted to appear in any Star Wars sequels at the time.”
I can’t imagine a sequel without Han Solo. What would’ve happened had Splinter been Episode V? But alas, Han almost lost out when Leia was wooed by another man in 1994’s The Courtship Of Princess Leia. Then came Han’s and Leia’s kids and, before Harry Potter went to Hogwarts, their twins Jacen and Jaina Solo went to The Jedi Academy on Yavin 4. I’ve enjoyed growing up with all the characters, and Hidalgo makes it easy to connect the dots.
I’d be remiss not to mention Appendix B: Works By Author. I can find all 23 of Kevin J. Anderson’s novels and short stories so I can locate the few I have not read. The same goes for Timothy Zahn. I tallied 32 novels and short stories which makes him the most prolific adult author. However, Jude Watson has written 42 juvenile books and short stories, most of which are in the series: Jedi Apprentice, Jedi Quest, and Last of the Jedi. Each is an interlude between the prequel movies and before the original trilogy. I’ve not read any of them, but I love the fact I can browse their summaries and follow new characters and their stories in the eras of Height of the Republic, The Clone Wars, and The Dark Time.
In sum, I think the first paragraph of Hildago’s introduction speaks volumes about those of us who’ve read Star Wars novels from the 1970s until now:
“Before Star Wars graced the silver screens of packed movie houses, its story was presented to an eager public via the printed word ... . As such, the very first Star Wars fans were readers.”
Now, those readers have the entire Lucas Canon in a single book. And the canon is closed.
By Mark Schelske