The Autobiography of Mr. Spock by Una McCormack

​      I’m not a Trekkie by any means, but I do appreciate Star Trek. It’s a terrific fictional creation, but fiction so often blurs lines with reality for fans and novices and it is out of that intersectionality that this autobiography is born. So let’s refer to it as the real thing (and not a creation of a Star trek novelization expert), because it was intended as such.
      Spock (along with Data) has always been my favorite Star Trek character. A man of logic, calm and patience, a moral and intelligent man, just the light you need amid the chaos.
       But because Spock is a very much a creature of the mind, his memoirs read accordingly. Which is to say these are not the juiciest of memoirs. They are as sedate, pensive and measured as the man who wrote them. In fact, those who mostly know Spock from the recent movies would be disappointed to find out that the romance with the beguiling Nyota isn’t anywhere to be found within these pages since that was a creation of the alternate star Trek universe.
        In this timeline Spock has never had a romantic interest. A devoted son, a dedicated friend and occasionally a caring mentor, but never a lover…nor a fighter. Spock’s life as he describes it was a long and difficult struggle with the duality of his nature (Mom’s from Earth, Dad’s from Vulcan) and then subsequently finding his place in the world and righting whatever great injustices he found to right, always in a peaceable manner.
      In every possible way Mr. Spock is an admirable character and his intelligent humane presence comes through in his words, in his life. This is exactly the kind of person who should write a memoir, someone who has lived a long and remarkable life and has lessons to impart and knowledge to pass on.
       And sure, it’s fictional, but a good fictional memoir still beats the whiny, maudlin, overshare driven crap out there that rules the modern memoir market. The exact same way good fiction often beats underwhelming reality.
       For Star Trek fans this’ll surely be a delight. For the rest, it is a charming read in its own way, but possibly not for everyone. It isn’t fast paced or salacious or boombastic in any way. Just a fictional life lived well.
         The author (or as she prefers to maintain the novelty, the editor) did a perfectly good job. From her bio it seems that she has certainly had plenty of experience writing within the Star Trek universe as if gearing up for this endeavor. Not to be outdone or accused of preferentiality, Titan books is publishing the autobiography of other Star Trek’s greats, if you’re into that sort of thing. For me, Mr. Spock is perfectly enough. I enjoyed his story. Live long and prosper. Thanks Netgalley.