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Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Far Beyond the Stars
Without warning, Benjamin Sisko is living another life. No longer a Starfleet captain, commander of space station Deep Space Nine, he is Benny Russell, a struggling science fiction writer living in 1950s Harlem. Benny has a dream, of a place called Deep Space Nine and a man named Ben Sisko, and a story he has to tell. But is the Earth of that era ready for a black science fiction hero?Everyone tells him no, but Benny cannot abandon his dream. One way or another, he will tell the world about Captain Benjamin Sisko and Deep Space Nine.
271 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 1998
About the author
Steven Barnes
124 books438 followersSteven Barnes (born March 1, 1952, Los Angeles, California) is an African American science fiction writer, lecturer, creative consultant, and human performance technician. He has written several episodes of The Outer Limits and Baywatch, as well as the Stargate SG-1 episode "Brief Candle" and the Andromeda episode "The Sum of its Parts". Barnes' first published piece of fiction, the novelette The Locusts (1979), written with Larry Niven, and was a Hugo Award nominee.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 2, 2017
An excellent novelization of one of DS9's most unusual episodes. So why doesn't it get more stars from me? The concept of this story is brilliant and it is well executed. It's just... all about Sisko (I love what he represents as the first non-white main character in a Star Trek series (which made this story possible in the first place) and one of the first in a successful TV show in general, but other than that I just don't find him all that interesting - it's much like with Janeway in Voyager, I love what she represents but never cared much for the character otherwise) and Bajoran mystical mumbojumbo (which just so happens to be one of my least favourite aspects of DS9).
October 1, 2017
Some time ago, I read in André Carrington's Speculative Blackness: The Future of Race in Science Fiction a critical analysis of Steven Barnes' novelisation of the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Far Beyond the Stars." In that episode, Avery Brooks and the other members of the cast appear as Americans living in the mid-20th century. Brooks is Benny Russell, a writer for a science fiction pulp magazine; the other actors play the roles of his colleagues at the magazine, and his acquaintances. The episode deals openly with racial issues, including race within the world of science fiction - the unlikeliness of a person like Benny Russell being seen as a writer of sf, the impossibility of him selling a story in which he imagines a black commander of a starbase in a distant future.
Carrington's description of Barnes' reworking of the episode intrigued me, and I made a note to myself to obtain a copy of the book to read.
It's an interesting piece of multiple recursion - a black science fiction writer retelling the story of an episode of a science fiction show featuring a black starbase commander - an episode in which the actor portraying that commander is also playing the role of a black science fiction writer telling the story of a black starbase commander. And so it had to be, for who but a black science fiction writer could give the character of Benny Russell the bone deep experiences of being multiply othered that a black man in America who is also writer of science fiction must live through?
Barnes' text gives Benny the depth, intelligence and passion that is inherent in Avery Brooks' creation of the live character, and a past that informs his resistance to the 'acceptable' roles and behaviours for black men in the 1950s. There's a flashback in the novel, to Benny's youth. It's 1939, and he and a few other kids from the Harlem youth centre he hangs out at have gone on a field trip to the World's Fair. The theme for that exposition was "the world of tomorrow" and they are exploring the exhibits in the General Motors Futurama building. Benny is excited by much of what he sees, but it's excitement with a bitter core: "Never in his life had he experienced anything like that, and only one thing could conceivably spoil the experience for him: Every last one of the thousands of little human beings shopping, working, playing, worshipping and living in the cities of the future had been white."
This, of course, presages the central moment of the script. Benny Russell, having written the story of Benjamin Sisko, star base commander, black man in a future where black men do exist, where humans of all races and aliens can live together, where the daily humiliations experienced by men of colour are truly a thing of the past, has his vision rejected because his publisher can't print a story where a black man is a captain. No one will buy it, no one will believe it.
It was a powerful episode, and Barnes has transformed it into a powerful novel.
February 21, 2023
The novelization of an episode of Star Trek Deep Space Nine, that is usually mentioned as amongst the best in the entire Star Trek franchise, brings new wrinkles to an already incredible episode. I'm usually not much of a novelization person, but this one is really well done and makes the story of Captain Sisko turning into 1950s scifi writer Benny Russell much more complicated than just a Prophets-fueled vision. Instead, it hints at the experience of Sisko being transported into the heavy oppression of Jim Crowism in New York City being real and not "just a dream". Barnes seemed to be pointing to that Benny Russell was in fact an ancestor of Sisko, since at points the vision jumps to further ancestors prior and after Benny Russell. It also traced out aspects of Russell's childhood in Harlem as he comes into his own, and how exactly he went down the path of being a science fiction writer, as well as the possible gift of prophecy that he seems to share with Sisko. Reading into this, it might point to The Prophets of the Deep Space Nine show actually influencing the events of Sisko's ancestors as much as his own life, a pretty big reveal that would add onto the Season 7 reveal that the Prophets specifically conceived Sisko from birth to fulfil a destiny. This novel seems to go much beyond that.
Fantastically written. All the other great parts of that episode, which goes beyond metaphors for racism that Star Trek usually uses, and instead makes direct commentary, is all there. A must read for any Star Trek fan.
Fantastically written. All the other great parts of that episode, which goes beyond metaphors for racism that Star Trek usually uses, and instead makes direct commentary, is all there. A must read for any Star Trek fan.
May 27, 2012
LOVED this novelization of one of my favorite DS9 episodes of all time. Great to see the expansion of a great story taking place within the mind of Benjamin Sisko. Great stuff.
February 6, 2021
I've watched the episode that this is based on several times since it was first broadcast exactly 23 years ago (February 9, 1998). But for some reason I never knew there had been a novelization published two months later (April 1998). In his Author's Note at the end of the book, author Steve Barnes notes that Pocket Books (which publishes the Star Trek series' largely non-canonical novels) specifically asked for him to write this, which he started in November 1997 and finished in lightning speed by December 12th -- based on the teleplay, no mention whether a few edits were made following the episode broadcast (assuming there had been any time during the printing process...this was way before print on demand, after all).
The book fleshes out the character of Benny Russell much more than the episode. Whether included in the original treatment or teleplay, the additional childhood background stories add immense depth, and grief, loss, pain, told in such a realistic manner that I can't help feeling the author, himself, suffered and endured as did the character.
There is a very strong metafictional element as well. Benny writes the history of Star Trek, and near the end there are references to other science fiction shows and movies Flash Gordon, The Terminator) as well. The famous ending is included, with the addition of Captain Benjamin Sisko staring at his reflection, looking like Benny Russell, now thinking that Benny Russell will always live within him, and perhaps he will live within Benny. And Steve Barnes will also live within them, and them within him. Barne's assertion that children need to see themselves reflected in media, TV shows, and movies is a good point -- although his statement that "not one of them [black or Asian-starred TV shows] lasted longer than a season" (p. 268) is really meant to criticize the lack of TV dramas, not comedy (The Jefferson, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The Cosbys, Different Strokes, and Family Matters all aired before DS9 S6E13, but they were sitcoms, not dramas).
Was, as he claimed, DS9 a cultural "turning point" in the US?
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
But it's still a damn fine story, and only Steve Barnes could have written it.
I only wish he hadn't written "SHUFFLE" at the end of each chapter to show a time shift. That got a bit irritating after the first two times.
The book fleshes out the character of Benny Russell much more than the episode. Whether included in the original treatment or teleplay, the additional childhood background stories add immense depth, and grief, loss, pain, told in such a realistic manner that I can't help feeling the author, himself, suffered and endured as did the character.
There is a very strong metafictional element as well. Benny writes the history of Star Trek, and near the end there are references to other science fiction shows and movies Flash Gordon, The Terminator) as well. The famous ending is included, with the addition of Captain Benjamin Sisko staring at his reflection, looking like Benny Russell, now thinking that Benny Russell will always live within him, and perhaps he will live within Benny. And Steve Barnes will also live within them, and them within him. Barne's assertion that children need to see themselves reflected in media, TV shows, and movies is a good point -- although his statement that "not one of them [black or Asian-starred TV shows] lasted longer than a season" (p. 268) is really meant to criticize the lack of TV dramas, not comedy (The Jefferson, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The Cosbys, Different Strokes, and Family Matters all aired before DS9 S6E13, but they were sitcoms, not dramas).
Was, as he claimed, DS9 a cultural "turning point" in the US?
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
But it's still a damn fine story, and only Steve Barnes could have written it.
I only wish he hadn't written "SHUFFLE" at the end of each chapter to show a time shift. That got a bit irritating after the first two times.
January 29, 2019
So, why would you want to read a novel based on a one-hour TV episode, especially when you already know how the story turns out? Well, when the writer is as good as Steven Barnes, every picture of the TV episode is transformed into 1000 words of depth and meaning, so getting to that same ending is still a most interesting journey. The DS9 episode this is based on is one of my favorites, and Barnes is true to the original script, but the background and feeling he brings to the main character of Benny Russell is nothing short of awesome, mirroring the amazing performance of Avery Brooks in this role. This novel takes a very hard look at our real world society, which I think Gene Roddenberry would have heartily approved.
July 13, 2022
While I'm very fond of Star Trek novels, Far Beyond the Stars was my first novelization of an episode because I didn't think I'd care for them much but Far Beyond the Stars was one of my very favorite DS9 episodes. I'd been able to get it and a few other Star Trek novels for cheap, so I thought there was no harm in picking it up. And I could not be happier with my purchase. Steven Barnes turned my favorite episode into one of my favorite Star Trek novels. I loved the details he expanded upon and created for the novel, the creative process of Benny Russell, and the importance of Captain Sisko as the leader of Deep Space 9.
March 27, 2021
I used to think novelizations of episodes and movies weren’t worth reading. Wow, was I wrong. I’ve enjoyed the 7 Star Trek movie novelizations I’ve read. This is my first episode novelization. It was really good. I had seen the episode a few years back. But this book added to it, so much so that I had forgotten how it ended. I want to read more about Benny Russell.
I also liked the essay in the end.
There’s an episode of the podcast Howe’s Things where Nic Gunning interviews Barnes. Barnes talks about his writing process for this book, which he wrote in 4 weeks.
I also liked the essay in the end.
There’s an episode of the podcast Howe’s Things where Nic Gunning interviews Barnes. Barnes talks about his writing process for this book, which he wrote in 4 weeks.
September 25, 2021
Mr Barnes has taken an entertaining, socially conscious episode of DS9 and crafted a much more detailed story, shifting between three different time frames, whereas the episode just featured two. It added much depth and weight to the story.
April 24, 2021
A powerful, insightful novelization of one of Trek’s greatest episodes, timely and timeless.
May 30, 2024
Great
This book really gets into Benny's head, and gives him much more backstory. If you like the episode, this book greatly expands on it.
This book really gets into Benny's head, and gives him much more backstory. If you like the episode, this book greatly expands on it.
May 26, 2012
Captain Benjamin Sisko experiences a vision of life as Benny Russell, a struggling science fiction writer in 1950s Harlem. Benny dreams of a space station, hundreds of years in the future, where a man is judged on his words and deeds, not the color of his skin. But is it really a dream?
Steven Barnes authored this adaptation of one of the best DS9 episodes, Far Beyond the Stars, which was written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler, based on a story by Marc Scott Zicree.
Published in paperback by Pocket.
Steven Barnes authored this adaptation of one of the best DS9 episodes, Far Beyond the Stars, which was written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler, based on a story by Marc Scott Zicree.
Published in paperback by Pocket.
February 16, 2021
I did not see this book coming. I read this as part of the Trek book club with some friends, having not seen the episode, and was blown away. It's incredibly powerful and goes much deeper than you typically find in Trek novels. I highly recommend it.
I gained some extra insight into the writing of this book in my special interview with author Steve Barnes. Find it here: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/a-...
I gained some extra insight into the writing of this book in my special interview with author Steve Barnes. Find it here: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/a-...
October 1, 2009
I'm a Niner -- LOVE the series, but was very dissappointed with the novel. This is one of my favorite episodes, and shouldn't the rule be that the story is always better than the adaptation? I liked it, but was the first and last Deep Space Nine book that I have read. Perhaps I should read more, though.
March 29, 2009
One of the best scifi stories EVER!
January 4, 2013
Not only was the episode, must see tv, the book was a must read. This is True Trek at its finest. You will feel changed after reading.
August 13, 2012
Novelization of one of my favorite episodes of DS9. It's IN HERE! and it's REEEEEALLL!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews