Jedi Council Forums - Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster

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Author	Topic: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster
Havac Title: Lit Mod of War Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 10/25/06 12:01pm Subject: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster
	Analyze and discuss the writing style and strengths and weaknesses of the first man to write a Star Wars novel. No bashing or gushing. Previous Author Analyses: Paul and Hollace Davids James Luceno Daniel Keys Moran Elaine Cunningham R. A. Salvatore Sean Williams and Shane Dix Greg Bear Kathy Tyers Darko Macan Vonda McIntyre Walter Jon Williams Kristine Kathryn Rusch Roger MacBride Allen John Ostrander Steve Perry Brian Daley Barbara Hambly Dave Wolverton Troy Denning Ann C. Crispin K. W. Jeter Sean Stewart Haden Blackman Greg Keyes Michael Stackpole Kevin J. Anderson Matthew Stover Michael Reaves Aaron Allston Go at it! -----signature----- "Is there a captain's hat involved in this?" "I . . . don't know what department I want. I need . . . pants."
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Sn4tcH Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 10/25/06 12:25pm Subject: RE: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster
	First off, his Star Wars work. He co-wrote the Episode IV novel. Even though the book says it's written by the flanneled one, it's not. Anyways, it's a fun read, and probably one of the scarier depictions of Darth Vader in any book. Speaking of scary, he also wrote Splinter of the Minds Eye. I know a lot of people here dislike the book because of Vader and the Luke/Leia creepiness, but personally I enjoyed it a great deal more than the average EU fan. I haven't read the Approaching Storm, but from what I've heard it's a very "meh" kind of Star Wars book. Not bad enough to hate, not good enough to love, it just happens. As for his original works, the man is a legend on par, IMO, with Asimov as far as Sci-Fi is concerned. He's also written other famous novelizations of movies such as Aliens, Clash of the Titan, The Last Starfighter, The Thing, Chronicles of Riddick and a ton more. He's also known as having to do story treatments on Star Trek: The Motion Picture's script. Either way, as I said, he is one of the most important Sci-Fi writers ever. -----signature----- http://dcboards.warnerbros.com/web/thread.jspa?threadID=2000183542&tstart=30 The Batmite76 Batman Continuity Project PM me if you want to help!
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Dark_Faith Registered: Jan '04	Date Posted: 10/25/06 1:04pm Subject: RE: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster - Date Edited: 10/25/06 1:06pm (2 edits total) Edited By: Dark_Faith
	Alan Dean Foster's works are often times very ecological minded, which I can adhere to. His style is sometimes bordering on the limits of volcabulary. He comes up with words, I mever head of before and often times, after reading one of his books, I feel ten times smarter. :P He has a very basic prose yet filled with highly educated words, which I suppose is a decent mix. Mr Foster never shys away from sexual tension. In most of his novels, there is some romantic connection between the hero and heroine. Even if they are Jedi, he hints at it. Alan Dean Foster writes the high sci fi, not space oprea. So his books feel more science fiction than they do space oprea. He's pretty cohensive, clever and indepth though. He often has odd lines spring out of nowhere, like for instance; Luke Skywalker remembering a dog he used to own as he escaped from docking bay 93, "What's a duck?" etc. I like it. Its real. There's no specific reason but its random and that keeps the book fresh. He also tends to flesh out minor character that appear only on one page. For instance, there's a nurse in 'Splinter' that checks out the Imperial commander, and he gives her a backstory, drive and character. She is barey on one page. It was quite odd because you expect her to come back but never does. At times, this is really unique and interesting yet also not what they would teach you in storytelling 101. I must say he can do drama without becoming melo-dramatic. Often with characters reflecting queitly on their journey. He makes beautiful smilies with certain things. He knows how to write battle scenes, with tension and drama. Overal, I think Alan Dean Foster is a wonderful science fiction author, and since reading his SW novels, I may want to venture forth and read some of his other novels. In a phrase I would describe Foster as: Simple yet complex. -----signature----- 30 years of Star Wars and 30 years more The Force is Forever
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RogueWompRat Registered: Feb '03	Date Posted: 10/25/06 9:59pm Subject: RE: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster
	I loved his ANH novelization and Splinter, but wasn't too hot on The Approaching Storm. I haven't read any of his original work, but I did read the Alien, Aliens, and Alien3 novels (they were all at this local used bookstore) and they were awesome. Someday I plan to read his original works. -----signature----- "the Force is between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere..."
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Excellence Registered: Jul '02	Date Posted: 10/26/06 3:35am Subject: RE: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster
	Don't know him. Can't judge him. -----signature----- Rock-a-by baby, on the treetop, Beaming with pride, the filth they hold, But when the wind blows, my temper implodes, High above a pit, filled with sharkticons, Down will come hardcover addicts, beaming no more. ©
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quad_gun_jinn Registered: Dec '02	Date Posted: 10/26/06 3:39am Subject: RE: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster
	His Star Wars work was reasonable. He wasn't as bad as some of the other authors that have been used. But I loved Dinotopia: The World Beneath. I cant remember if he wrote Dinotopia but I think he did. -----signature----- It's my time to shine Like a tuna in the brine
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Rouge77 Registered: May '05	Date Posted: 10/26/06 3:41am Subject: RE: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster - Date Edited: 10/26/06 3:43am (2 edits total) Edited By: Rouge77
	The ANH novelization and Splinter of the Mind´s Eye were the first SW books I ever read and so have a special place for me... And perhaps for nostalgic reasons I think that they are better than a more objective observation would reveal, but I really like them still. I would say that they are well above the average SW books. Approaching Storm on the other hands is a very mediocre work, which is typical of much of Foster´s recent work. He publishes very often and quantity seems often come before quality. -----signature----- Recipient of the Confederation Ewok with "Rebel Yub"® Action!! Kill Ben Skywalker, the new Jar-Jar!
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DVader316 Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 10/26/06 7:04pm Subject: RE: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster
	I didnt like either of the SW novels that he wrote. I found them both to be very boring as well as poorly written. -----signature----- Currently Reading: Soul of the Fire by Terry Goodkind
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Ive_Got_Two_Legs Registered: Jul '05	Date Posted: 10/26/06 8:22pm Subject: RE: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster
	He's certainly carved out a niche for himself in writing spinoff Fantasy/SF books. -----signature----- "Where's your sense of optimism?" "It opted out."
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Obi Anne Title: FanForce RSA Europe Registered: Nov '98	Date Posted: 10/27/06 3:11am Subject: RE: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster
	When it comes to the ANH novel that's the only SW novel that I've read in Swedish, which makes me unsure what strange things come from the author and which are from the translator. It was my first SW-novel and I've reread it more times than ESB, which is my favourite movie. Haven't read SOTME. When it comes to Approaching Storm I loved it, that's one of the SW books I've read the most times. I think his characterisations are spot on and it's an enjoyable read. This is what SW novels should be like, fun, light and entertaining, and Foster does that very good. He also introduced Barriss and Luminara properly, which I'm very grateful of. I understand if he hasn't gotten any new contracts after AS though, with the darker style that NJO and the post-NJO galaxy is taking I just don't think he really fits into it. Haven't read any other works by him, so I can't judge his style outside of the GFFA. -----signature----- "That is the beauty of grand opera; you can do anything...as long as you sing it" Anna Russell
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rumsmuggler Registered: Aug '00	Date Posted: 10/27/06 10:17am Subject: RE: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster - Date Edited: 10/27/06 10:18am (1 edits total) Edited By: rumsmuggler
	I would liked Splinter of the Mind's Eye more if I had read it before I knew that Luke and Leia were siblings. Being born in 81, that would have been impossible for me, because i've been knowing Star Wars for as long as I can remember. I thought the Star Wars novel was great, and TAS and decent. I haven't gotten around to reading any of his other works. -----signature----- W.W.L.D. What Would Lando Do
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DVader316 Registered: Feb '00	Date Posted: 10/27/06 5:28pm Subject: RE: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster
	Ah, Id forgotten that he'd written the novelization of a ANH. I guess I do like one of his books after all. -----signature----- Currently Reading: Soul of the Fire by Terry Goodkind
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Havac Title: Lit Mod of War Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 10/29/06 3:47pm Subject: RE: Author Analysis: Alan Dean Foster
	SOTME was a fun book. It was lighthearted and fun without the what-the-kriff-is-this-doing-in-Star-Wars aspect of most of the other 70s/80s stuff. Its weaknesses, I think, come from the fact that it just shouldn't have been made. Not with its plot, at any rate. I mean, if George knows enough about TESB to say, "Don't put in Han, we might not get Harrison Ford back for the sequel," shouldn't he know enough to say, "Hey, maybe don't have Luke duel Vader. I might want to do something with that." It was a little too bold in that aspect. If it had just had Vader chasing them and a close escape, most people would have no serious problems with it. However, that's not really ADF's fault. Overall, SOTME and the ANH novel are strong work with a good grasp of the characters and less weirdness than most EU from that period, while still pulling off a lighthearted, fun storyline. TAS didn't manage that. It wasn't outright bad, but it was boring and tedious. And I'm saying this as a guy who enjoyed numerous books that have been trashed for being boring. It's a book where the characterization is bland, the events are unimportant, and the writing isn't good enough to make up for it. It's a very bland book, and I never connected with it. Overall, while ADF has done a good job in the past, there's nothing disctinctive or strong enough about his writing to interest me in seeing him write again. -----signature----- "Is there a captain's hat involved in this?" "I . . . don't know what department I want. I need . . . pants."
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