8.8 /10 1 Votes
Country United States Subject Star Wars Originally published 12 August 1980 Followed by Return of the Jedi | 4.4/5 Barnes & Noble Language English Publisher Del Rey Genre Science Fiction | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Series Film novelizations
Canon G Publication date Hardcover:
August 21, 1995
Paperback:
April 12, 1980 Preceded by Battlefront: Twilight Company Page count 224 (Hardcover, Paperback) Similar Star Wars: Canon books, Luke Skywalker books, Science Fiction books | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Empire Strikes Back is a science fiction novel written by Donald F. Glut and first published on April 12, 1980 by Del Rey. It is based on the script of the film of the same name.
Contents
The novel, like the film, introduces new characters, most notably Lando Calrissian and Boba Fett (though Fett was technically introduced in the earlier, low-canon Star Wars Holiday Special).
Glut's novelisation was originally released in two forms; a standard edition and a special Young Readers Edition that was condensed into 150 pages. Initial printings of both versions contained 8 pages of color photographs in the middle of the book.
Plot
Despite the destruction of the Death Star in A New Hope, the Galactic Empire stills retains an iron grip on the galaxy. Upon discovering the Rebel Alliance's secret base, the Empire strikes with massive force, sending the Rebels scrambling across the galaxy. Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca ("Chewie") and C-3PO are slowed down from escaping with the rest of the group by collapsing ice on Hoth. Throughout the story, they remain within The Empire's reach.
Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 flee to Dagobah, but not to regroup with the others. Instead, Luke seeks Yoda in order to be trained as a Jedi Knight. His development of Force sensitivity during his training gives him a sensation of the danger shadowing his friends. Subsequently, Luke's friends are captured in Cloud City. Han is frozen in carbonite and taken to Jabba the Hutt. Luke leaves Dagobah to save his friends. But it is a trap, as the unprepared Luke is drawn into an unsuccessful confrontation with the Imperial Sith Lord Darth Vader. He is left with a missing hand, near-death and reeling from the shocking revelation that Vader is his father. However, he is rescued by the Millennium Falcon.
As in the film, the ending sees Luke, Leia, Chewie, 3PO and R2-D2 reunited, with Luke and Lando finalizing their plan to rescue Han Solo from Jabba's captivity.
Differences from the film
The book has some differences from the film, such as:
Sequel
The book is followed by Return of the Jedi, written by James Kahn. It is the third and final novel adaptation of the Star Wars classic trilogy.