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Novel:
The Merchant Prince
Authors:
Armin Shimerman and Michael Scott.
Release Date:
Currently Available:
Publisher:
Pocket Books
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Other books in the Merchant Prince series: Outrageous Fortune, Capitol Offense
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Armin Shimerman is probably best known to his legion of fans for his work in the visual medium. Many television viewers will already be familiar with his role of Principal Snyder, on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as that of the much beloved Ferengi entrepreneur and con man, Quark, on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Recently, though, Shimerman has begun to devote more of his time to writing, and it is in this venue that he delivers just as powerful and entertaining a performance as in any of his previous video outings. The Merchant Prince serves as ample testimony to this multifaceted artist’s depth and versatility.
The Merchant Prince has excellent pacing and flow. Each scene is fully fleshed out, and elicits a response from all the senses. Drawing heavily upon his Shakespearean background for inspiration, Shimerman deftly weaves a medieval tale of intrigue, deception, and revenge, set against the futuristic backdrop of the year 2099. This is brinksmanship, played out at the highest corporate levels, with the fate of the world as the prize. While these elements alone should be more than enough to recommend this book for perusal, it is Shimerman’s handling of the protagonist of The Merchant Prince, Doctor John Dee, which contributes so much to the unique quality of this story.
Whether in the year 1599, or 2099, alchemist John Dee’s approach to life is decidedly Machiavellian. While he can be quite ruthless, given the proper circumstances, he is also a practical man, who resorts to violence only when it appears to be the most pragmatic (and necessary) solution to the problem at hand. This is a man who lives his life without regrets, and who does not weigh himself down with pangs of conscience or maudlin reflection. Yet, despite his coldly efficient manner, Dee also feels honor bound to those who serve him. He seeks only the best of care for them if they are injured, and personally avenges them when they have been wronged. Altogether, this makes Doctor John Dee a most complex and, ultimately, very real character. He is a player, a mover and a shaker, as familiar and easily recognizable in the twenty-first century as he would have been over four hundred years ago, in the court of the Virgin Queen.
It has been said that Star Trek is science fiction with a Shakespearean bent. If that is so, then The Merchant Prince is definitely a Shakespearean tale with a science fiction bent. And that makes this novel a very solid read. Pick up a copy and see if you agree.
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Subject:
Author Barbara Hambly
Barbara has proved a welcome addition to SFH. Since Deb Thompson has linked Barbara's site to ours, Scifi Horizons viewership has doubled in one month. Thank you so very much, Barbara and Deb! In recognition of Barbara Hambly's inestimable contribution to this page, SFH will continue to run her Oct. '04 interview for the remainder of this current issue.
This interview was obtained at World Fantasy Con (Oct. 28-31, '04). In it, Barbara discusses her speculative biography of the enigmatic first lady, Mary Todd Lincoln, and also previews her darkly amusing new take on the Victorian Era classic, Dracula,
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Television:
Star Trek: Enterprise
Airing:
Check your local listings
Where:
Sci-Fi Channel
Star Trek: Enterprise is the latest video chapter in the vast and sprawling saga that is the Star Trek universe. Unlike previous video offerings, this series is set in the first days of manned interstellar spaceflight. Starfleet is in its infancy, and there is as yet no United Federation of Planets, or Prime Directive. In essence, what this means is that Captain Archer and his crew are the first men and women ever to don the Starfleet uniform and warp off into the galaxy in a starship named Enterprise. .
Although the crew of the NX 01 (Nixon?) set out with the best of intentions, during the course of their voyage they frequently have been forced to turn a blind eye to certain ethical considerations and accepted rules of conduct; however, this has always justified by the pressing urgency of their need (saving the Earth comes to mind). These intrepid 'first generation' pioneers have regularly been outgunned, outnumbered, and outclassed by most of the alien races which they have thus far encountered. Still, despite the vast superiority of the forces arrayed against them, and the fact that they were totally on their own, without a large and well equipped Starfleet to fall back upon, the Enterprise and her crew have managed to save the Earth and avert interstellar war. .
In its final season, Star Trek: Enterprise chose a more familiar (but long neglected) course, and almost overnight the look of the show changed completely. This was vintage Trek, the likes of which had not graced the screen since the show first debuted in the mid 1960s. By returning to the roots of the franchise, the producers literally transformed the entire dynamic of the series, contributing to lighter, more adventure oriented feel. This epic approach was contrasted and enhanced by plotlines that featured more adult oriented themes and issues, also very much in keeping with the original concept. (Adult show-Adult time slot.) By striking the proper balance between these various elements, Enterprise succeeded in recapturing some of the elusive mystique of the original. In virtually every aspect of production and presentation, the last season of Star Trek: Enterprise was off the scale. .
With the airing of the last two episodes, the series has now been committed to the ages. And so (says the current buzz) has the entire franchise, one of the most lucrative and long running in television history. This is difficult to assimilate, since there is still a large (but aging) segment of the viewing audience who enjoys this particular type of entertainment, and are willing to invest impressive amounts of cash in the subsequent marketing, be it books, DVDs, collectibles, memorabilia-the list goes on and on. To abandon this audience in such financially insecure times is an interesting choice, especially when it is they (not the 18 to 34 year old demographic) who have all the money, and have a proven track record when it comes to spending it. .
Besides, people like to dream.
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