Star Wars: Heir to the Empire
by Timothy Zahn (Bantam Spectra, 1991)
audiobook read by Marc Thompson (Random House, 2011)
The novel that triggered a publishing avalanche. Zahn deserves credit for his treatment of old favourites, for developing a subdued, somewhat cynical military/political setting post- Return of the Jedi, and in the person of Thrawn for taking adversaries in a new direction.
Star Wars: Thrawn—Treason
by Timothy Zahn (Del Rey, 2019)
audiobook read by Marc Thompson (Cornerstone, 2019)
Zahn has a knack for crafting ingenious military/physics-based problems and solutions within the context of Star Wars lore. He also, unfortunately, favours extreme and one-dimensional characterisations. Assistant Director Ronan proves an especially petulant, whiny example, rendered borderline unlistenable in Thompson’s audiobook reading.
Escape to Witch Mountain
by Alexander Key (Westminister Press, 1968); audiobook read by Marc Thompson (Playaway, 2010)
A straightforward, somewhat odd, ultimately pointless yet still rather engaging middle-grade quest adventure in which two children with supernatural abilities go on the run. In the audiobook Marc Thompson’s character voices sound inexplicably as if they have been inspired by Fraggle Rock.
Star Wars: Dark Disciple
by Christie Golden (Lucas Books, 2015); audiobook read by Marc Thompson (Penguin Random House Audio, 2015)
Golden’s epic, refreshingly linear and focussed dark-side narrative suffers from gargantuan plot holes, and is cheapened in the audiobook by an ever-present soundscape and stock effects that force drama down the listener’s throat (likewise Thompson’s ‘telling it to a 6-year-old’ reading style).
Star Wars: Last Shot
by Daniel José Older (Del Rey, 2018); audiobook read by Marc Thompson with Daniel José Older & January LaVoy (Random House, 2018)
The audiobook reading of Last Shot gives fervent and overly dramatic voice to everyday situations. This exposes not only the mundaneness of Older’s writing but also the more general propensity (Star Wars house style?) for self-indulgent character moments and laboriously scripted banter.
Star Wars – Fate of the Jedi: Ascension
by Christie Golden; audiobook read by Marc Thompson (Books on Tape, 2011)
After a slow start, Ascension builds into the classic Star Wars sweep of political intrigue and Jedi action, undermined by Golden’s obligation to keep the story unfinished and — at least in the audiobook — an often laughably melodramatic delivery, Thompson Force-throttling everyday words.