Book Review: 'Star Wars: Tales From Jabba's Palace'

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(C) 1995 Bantam Books/Lucasfilm Ltd.
Star Wars:Tales From Jabba's Palace is one of several anthologies of short stories set in George Lucas' "galaxy far, far away" that delve into the cast of supporting characters that were seen in specific scenes of Classic Trilogy Episodes IV, V, and VI. Edited by prolific Star Wars author Kevin J. Anderson (Darksaber, The Jedi Academy Trilogy, and various Dark Horse comic book series), this volume contains 19 entertaining stories set within the walled palace of Tatooine crime boss Jabba the Hutt.

In the dusty heat of twin-sunned Tatooine lives the wealthiest gangster in a hundred worlds, master of a vast crime empire and keeper of a vicious, flesh-eating monster for entertainment (and disposal of his enemies). Bloated and sinister, Jabba the Hutt might have made a good joke -- if he weren't so dangerous. A cast of soldiers, spies, assassins, scoundrels, bounty hunters, and pleasure seekers have come to his palace, and every visitor to Jabba's grand abode has a story. Some of them may even live to tell it. . . .

Featuring original stories by: Kevin J. Anderson, M. Shayne Bell, John Gregory Betancourt, Mark Budz and Marina Fitch, A.C. Crispin, Dan'l Danehy-Oakes, George Alec Effinger, Kenneth C. Flint, Esther Friesner, Barbara Hambly, Daryl F. Mallett, J.D. Montgomery, Judy and Gar Reeves-Stevens, Jennifer Roberson, Kathy Tyers, Deborah Wheeler, Dave Wolverton, William F. Wu, Timothy Zahn. - from the publisher's blurb,Tales from Janna's Palace 

Although (curiously) none of the stories are about Jabba the Hutt per se, the slug-like gangster's presence is evident in most of the tales. Almost all the members of Jabba's court -- majordomo Bib Fortuna, Oola (the ill-fated dancing girl fed to the rancor), Salacious Crumb (Jabba's annoying pet monkey-lizard), and Boba Fett, the galaxy's most infamous bounty hunter -- are described vividly not only by such noted Star Wars writers as Dave Wolverton, Timothy Zahn, Kathy Tyers, and editor Anderson (who contributed "A Boy and His Monster: The Rancor Keeper's Tale"), but also by prominent Star Trek authors A. C. Crispin and Judith and Garfield Reeves Stevens.


The overall tone of this anthology can be best described as a combination of Rashomon and The Godfather set in the Star Wars galaxy. Although a few of the characters are innocent victims of Jabba's huge appetite for wealth and shady deals (see Kathy Tyers' "A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance: Oola's Tale") or antiheroes such as Mara Jade ("Sleight of Hand: The Tale of Mara Jade" by Timothy Zahn), most are underhanded and venal mob underlings whose desire to topple Jabba from his throne is matched only by their fear of the ruthless Hutt crime lord. And while the rescue of Han Solo by Luke Skywalker and his friends is dealt with as well, the focus isn't on the heroes for a change; after all, we saw what they did in Return of the Jedi. 

No, the fun here is in discovering the untold stories from behind the fortress-like walls of Jabba's Palace, and believe me, this anthology is well-written and enjoyable for both the die-hard and casual Star Wars fan alike.

  • Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Bantam Books (December 1, 1995)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0553568159
  • ISBN-13: 978-0553568158

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