Splinter of the Mind's Eye (Alan Dean Foster) Review

I'm reviewing the story in which it all began for the Expanded Universe: Splinter of the Mind's Eye.

Novel Description
Splinter of the Mind's Eye is a 1978 science-fiction novel written by Alan Dean Foster as a sequel to the film Star Wars (1977). Originally published in 1978 by Del Rey, a division of Ballantine Books, the book was written with the intention of being adapted as a low-budget sequel to Star Wars in case the original film was not successful enough to finance a high-budget sequel.

Splinter of the Mind's Eye was the first Star Wars novel with an original storyline published after the release of the original film, and is thus considered, alongside the Star Wars newspaper comic strip and Marvel's 1977 comic series, to mark the beginning of the Star Wars Expanded Universe.

The story focuses on Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, who are marooned together on the world of Mimban, where they encounter the locals and struggle against the forces of the evil Galactic Empire, including Darth Vader.

#starwars #expandeduniverse

[TK-wkxd]

Did you hear that Alan Dean Foster got screwed over by Disney just because they stopped giving him royalties for his legends books

[MEDZFactor]

Actually, one of the main reasons Han and Chewie were absent from this story is because George Lucas wanted Splinter to be as “low budget” as possible in case by the off chance a studio would pick it up for a film. This is also why the entire story takes place on one planet made up of woodland and swamp.

[darthprime]

A pretty good read that follows Luke, Leia, and the droids. Perhaps another reason why Han and Chewie didn't appear in the book is maybe Harrison Ford wasn't sure if he would reprise the role at the time, should the novel be adapted into a film.

[StarWarsExpandedUniverse]

So great to see a larger channel reviewing the EU Books! Very nice man!

[TK-wkxd]

My favorite part of the book is that it has a lightsaber fight between Leia and Vader, practically the only time Leia has ever fought Vader

[darthlucasfuu]

In Empire Strikes Back, Kenobi's spirit tells Luke that he's not gonna help him to fight Vader, maybe that's a reference to this novel...

[ironinquisitor]

I'm going to have to experience this book again. Listen to your audiobook maybe. There is a really cool interview from Star Wars Insider with Alan Dean Foster and George Lucas talking about this book and developing it together. It's great evidence of Lucas's EU involvement.

[saberiandream]

Han Solo isn't in the book because Ford's contract wasn't as iron-clad as Fisher and Hamill's were.

[Wade_Tyler]

Interesting novel. 🤔 I’ll have to give it a read someday as well as listen to your audiobook! 👍

Will you be reviewing Outbound Flight in the near future?

[yrooxrksvi]

I can't help but notice how Abrams somehow ripped off the final fight from this book. Think about it : two scrappy young rebels vs the Dark Side warrior, the titular hero is briefly incapacitated so the (seemingly non-Force sensitive) friend picks up the lightsaber and fights the dark lord, only to lose. The protagonist finally fights him, amped by a mysterious connection to the Force, defeating him for long enough to escape.

I wonder how many other EU books and comics referenced this one, because decades later, there was a comic about Vader finally learning Luke's name, set just a year after ANH.

[jeffreyconner]

Originally Darth Vader wasn't going to be Luke's father. Vader and Anakin originally were literally going to be two separate individuals.

[ultraviolet]

The reason why Han & Chewbacca are absent is because Lucas wasn’t sure if Harrison Ford would return for a hypothetical low budget sequel.

[jeffreyconner]

Interesting that Leia uses a lightsaber in this novel before anyone knew that she was force sensitive. Anyone who read the book in 1978 didn't know her kinship to Luke and Anakin/Vader.

[Deuteromis]

I have this book! Found it at a thrift store. Man the story comes off as fanfiction but pretty good if the author smoked too much weed.

[NielOogabooga]

This is better than empire if Rey can beat kylo her first fight then why cant luke beat dart vader