The Coalition of Chaos

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L.I. Underhill is a media critic and historian specializing in pop culture, with a focus on science fiction (especially Star Trek) and video games. Their projects include a critical history of Star Trek told through the narrative of a war in time, a “heretical” history of The Legend of Zelda series and a literary postmodern reading of Jim Davis' Garfield.

3 Comments

  1. BerserkRL
    April 3, 2014 @ 8:12 pm

    I think the Marshak/Culbreath story needs to be read in the context of their Price of the Phoenix and Fate of the Phoenix, in which Kirk's self-image of strength and masculinity are consistently undercut and he is placed in a "feminine" role, though there metaphorically and not literally. "Procrustean Petard" looks a bit different after reading the Phoenix novels — still a failure, but it becomes clearer what they were trying to do.

    Back when there were only about ten ST novels, Price and Fate were my favourites. Probably still are, though I've read only a small fraction of the current vast profusion.

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  2. BerserkRL
    April 3, 2014 @ 8:14 pm

    And Spock, Messiah! was my least favourite — though I don't remember anything about it except a) it took place on a planet with no nudity taboo except for the face, and b) none of the characters seemed to be acting in character.

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  3. BerserkRL
    April 3, 2014 @ 8:39 pm

    Marshak was also one of the co-authors of Star Trek Lives! into which as always she inserted some Randianism.

    Reply

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