Happy New Year!

The book we will be covering for the next two months is I, Jedi by Michael Stackpole.

In case you want check it out, votes and voting results can be found at the following link: http://tinyurl.com/NovDec-votes

This time around we have done away with all rules. We only ask that you be courteous to others' opinions. Disagree in a respectful manner. But do feel free to disagree.

Tangents are fine. But if they get too far off topic, we will ask you to start a new thread to continue discussing the tangent. But error on the side of saying what you have to say. It could lead to an interesting discussion.

If you are not a member and would like to be, go ahead and jump in on the discussion and consider yourself a member (no obligations: participate as much or as little as you like).

Here Also is a link to a FREE, full-text online version of the book: http://www.wattpad.com/80826-Star-Wars-I-Jedi

Always feel free to let me, or any of the PooBahs (i.e., book club facilitators), know if you have any questions, comments, grips, and/or concerns.

Jan 1, 2009 12:55 PM | Report Abuse reply

The new voting thread has been posted: http://tinyurl.com/JanFeb-Voting

Let the votes begin!

Also the thread to post any questions, comments, concerns, and/or gripes.

Jan 1, 2009 1:42 PM | Report Abuse reply

Well I personally love I, Jedi. I think it is one of the best books in the Expanded Universe. I mean the storytelling is incredible and detailed as well. What Stackpole did was turn an ordinary pilot from Rouge Squadron into one of the most likeable characters in the Expanded universe.

Jan 1, 2009 2:23 PM | Report Abuse reply

New blog for all things I, Jedi is posted: http://tinyurl.com/stymie-SWscholar

Includes of slew of supplemental resources about the book, the author, and the main character, Corran Horn.

Jan 1, 2009 7:37 PM | Report Abuse reply

I'm afraid, Starkiller, that until i actually get a chance to read it, I won't be able to either agree or disagree with you about Corran Horn.

However, I do find him to be more likeable than a few other characters in the EU. An example would be the ISB major killed with his own weapon by Daric laRone, a stormtrroper, in Timothy Zahn's novel Allegiance.

Jan 2, 2009 12:19 PM | Report Abuse reply

Please for feel to post you thoughts on the books as you read it. You don't have to have finished the book to start discussing it.

Also, we are always looking for more PooBahs (i.e., book club facilitators). Let us know if you're interested.

Jan 3, 2009 7:25 AM | Report Abuse reply

I, Jedi is actually where I started with the EU back when I was about 16, I haven't read it since then and I am seriously berating myself for doing so, cos I am only a few chapters in and I am already loving it all over again.
While I might not be such a huge fan of Corran Horn in the newer EU novels, I really love how he's written in this. Initially, I had expected the first person perspective of the writing to put me off, but I feel like I have sunk right back into it like it's all i'd ever read - real page turner this.

Jan 3, 2009 4:11 PM | Report Abuse reply

I am reading I, Jedi for the moment and I think it's wonderful so far. Yes, I'm no big fan of the Corellian, but then again, the book is very awesome... I never quite enjoyed the first person perspective, but somehow, this one manage to amaze me... well done, Stackpole...

Jan 3, 2009 4:39 PM | Report Abuse reply

Oh, Mez, making me feel old. So you're re-reading it? I've been considering doing that. I'll have to finish Invincible first, But I expect I rip through that one.

I, Jedi was sort of a return to reading SW books. The cover grabbed me...and the title. I'm a HUGE Isaac Asimov fan, so I was instantly reminded of his old novel I, Robot (not the movie version, which has nothing to do with the book) and his autobiography I, Asimov.

So I bought it and dove in. The first person POV (FYI, the only full 1st person SW novel) really takes you along on Corran's quest. And Stackpole does an amazing job of writing within an already told story while simultaneously adding to it and creating a new story. And his quest is very much an identity quest, and very A New Hope in ways. It almost forces you took look at yourself and how you can loose yourself in the personas we create.

After it was done, I couldn't get enough. Had to go back and read the X-wing books by Stackpole. Ad of course I was very excited when he wrote 2 early NJO books. Anyone hear the rumor he was not happy with the direction of the NJO, especially the decision to kill Anakin?

But I digress.

So...should I read it again? (Help me decide.)

And what do others things of the 1st person POV? Like it or no?

Jan 3, 2009 5:21 PM | Report Abuse reply

I plan on maybe re-reading it as soon as I get a chance to get home to dig it out, if not will have to go on TRYING to remember it.

As far as the first person POV...it was interesting. I think that there were a couple of stories that they could have TRIED to adapt it in again(can't think of the title off the top of my head but it was the one in the NJO series when Jacen was captured. Would have been interesting from his prespective).

Jan 4, 2009 10:35 AM | Report Abuse reply

Oh I am sure that I, Jedi was out for a little bit before I picked it up - not sure of the publishing date as I don't have it to hand now. But interesting that you make the analogy between that and the book 'I, Robot' - I was also a huge Asimov fan and that's exactly the reason I picked it up too!

I thought i'd make an exception for this one, and recap it - kinda glad I did too, theres several moments I forgot...like Gantoris for instance ;)

Jan 4, 2009 10:57 AM | Report Abuse reply

Must...resist urge...to discuss...Asimov (my favorite writer!).

What does everyone think about Stackpole revisiting, and essentially changing, Kevin J. Anderson's Jedi Academy Trilogy?

I know this ruffled some feathers, but I thought it was really fun to add to this story and also to see it all from a different perspective.

Stackpole also brought Mara to the academy. I don't think she had been there previously.

Mara and Corran formed an interesting relationship. Any thoughts on that?

Jan 5, 2009 6:23 AM | Report Abuse reply

I've read "I, Jedi" in the past and picked it up at a local library a few months back for the same reason stated earlier, the link to "I, Robot". (Side note - I wish the "I, Robot" movie would have been like the book.)

I put it back down unfinished because I was uncomfortable with the first person point of view. I've read a dozen or more books in the past few months and was looking for the next option when I found this thread. I will return to my local library this afternoon and select "I, Jedi" as my next book and comment as I complete it.

Thanks for the thread and let me know if you need any assistance.

Jan 5, 2009 9:52 AM | Report Abuse reply

I read this book ages ago and fell in love with it. At the time, it was the only Star Wars book to be written in the first person (then again, I think it still is). I look forward to starting it again!

Jan 5, 2009 10:14 AM | Report Abuse reply

I can email the entire I, Jedi book to anyone that can't download it! My e-mail is robertrodriguez83@yahoo.com!

Jan 5, 2009 11:32 AM | Report Abuse reply

I just started reading it this morningfrom the site that Stymie gave a link for. For some reason it wont download succesfully on my computer. I'm gonna rather print it. That way I don't have to use up internet time to read it. I'm going to see if I can balance this book in conjunction with Lord of the Rings which I am currently just past half way on. I should be able to finish I Jedi along with Lord of the Rings before the next book we'll read.

Of the one chapter that I did read today I liked it a lot. Usually I fond the books that take place after Return of the Jedi to be very dull, boring and just plain bad, but this book is different. The first person view of the story gives you more of a connection to the story and the main character. The opening battle scene of the book was fantastic and very exilirating:not too long and not too short. And it didn't linger too much on one part of the battle. Great stuff so far. I hope I enjoy the rest of the book as much as the first chapter.

Jan 5, 2009 11:56 PM | Report Abuse reply

I actually picked this book up about two years ago at my local library and it was one of the first EU books I read, the other being the second book of the Jedi Academy trilogy. I was a little confused at first by the 1st person POV, but it ended up making the book that much more enjoyable for me because I could better understand Corran and what he was experiencing.

Jan 6, 2009 6:36 AM | Report Abuse reply

Mezhan/Artemis: Yerah first person is hard to follow in SW, burt it has worked well in other places.

Stymie: NOt interested in being a Poohbah...sorry. Will try to check it out before I go home from the luibrary today.

Jan 6, 2009 11:44 AM | Report Abuse reply

I'm not understanding why 1st person is hard to follow in Star Wars. It's not unprecedented in Star Wars by any mean...it is is the only NOVEL that is completely 1st person.

As Forceseeker mentioned, it is a much more personal feel...you go on the journey with the character...a POV that fits particularly well with the story in I, Jedi
(not trying to be argumentative...but disagreements are fine and encouraged...as long as we are cordial and constructive about them).

Also, I don't remember inviting you to be a PooBah, Elizabeth, but thanks for considering it. Anyone who would like to help out with the book club, please let me know, The more help the merrier.

Jan 6, 2009 12:47 PM | Report Abuse reply

Wasn't sure if you were inviting me or not, Stymie, but wanted to tell you if you were that i canlt be a Poohbah...mostly because I have no home access to the internet so there are times when I can't log in and check.

Got the book yesterday and am only currently on page 5, but I was laughung over what Corran said about Leia's twins (then 3 years old) being blamed for a baby boom in the New Republic.

Jan 7, 2009 9:00 AM | Report Abuse reply