Conference noted::sf

1037.0. ""Yamato" by Ken Kato" by SIMON::SZETO (Simon Szeto, International Sys. Eng.) Sun Dec 29 1991 15:12

    Yamato--A Rage In Heaven, part 1
    by Ken Kato
    
    To tell the truth, I don't know what's the definition of a space opera.
    But I think this is a space opera.  If you enjoy the genre, you should
    like this book.
    
    The time is early 25th century.  Known space is divided into two
    sectors, each populated by a major ethnic group.  The Yamato sector
    is separated from the Amerika [sic] sector by the neutral sector, but
    the Yamato empire considers that sector virtually annexed by Yamato.
    
    ["The Empire of Yamato is the name adopted for the Sector occupied by
    the cultural and linguistic descendents of Japan, bordered by the
    Sector of Xanadu, also known as China, the Central Realm, etc., and by
    the Neutral Zone..."  Any resemblance to Earth geography is, I suppose,
    somewhat coincidental.]
    
    Reads a bit like _Shogun_ in the 25th century.  The cultural traditions
    of Yamato have reverted to pre-20th century Japan, although obviously
    they have kept apace with space technology.  In this respect _Yamato_
    has some resemblance to _Chung_Kuo_ by David Wingrove.  (Ken Kato
    mentions Wingrove as a "dear friend" in his acknowledgments.)
    
    On the Amerikan side we have political intrigue.  There are the
    appeasers, and those who would fight for democracy even though military
    odds are on the side of Yamato.
    
    There's lot of action.  Just enough science to qualify as sf.  One of
    the reviews quoted inside the front cover says that the science and
    tehcnology have the feel of reality.  Well, it doesn't feel phony, but
    I'm not into "hard" sf, so I wouldn't know.  Two of the reviews
    compared this to L. Ron Hubbard, whose works I haven't read.  But I
    just don't get the comparison to David Eddings, unless this is a hint
    that this epic is going to drag on for a few books.  It certainly
    didn't end with this one.
    
    --Simon
    

    I've seen this in bookstores, but thought it was a tie-in to a
    TV show. I vaguely recall an animated series about a space battleship
    called the Yamato.  Is it related?  /jlr

    re:.1
    
    No, it isn't, as far as I can tell.
    
    --- jerry

    
    upo may be thinking of star blazers.  the ship argo was based on the
    battle ship yamato.
    
    

    re:.3
    
    Yes, undoubtedly that's what he's thinking of, though the ship is
    called the Argo only in the American version. In the original, it's
    called the Yamato, and in fact *is* the original Yamato refitted
    for space travel.
    
    --- jerry

    
    
    ah yes, that's right.  i recall when wildstar and venture went to the
    wreck :').  

    I must not have been paying close attention.  Seems like there is a
    part 2 out as well.  Because of the identical cover design (only the
    colors were different) I may have seen part 2 on bookshelves before now
    but thought it was the book I already bought.  Apparently this is a
    long-ish story published in more than one volume.  (Julian May's
    _Intervention_ and C.J. Cherryh's _Cyteen_ are two such examples that I
    happen to have.  Of course, Tolkien's _Lord_of_the_Rings_ is a more
    famous example.)
    
    --Simon
    

    Lauriat's at Pheasant Lane Mall had _Yamato_ in hardback, which
    contains the complete book, not half as in the paperback version.
    At the bargain price of $3.99, it's too bad I already got the paperback
    version.
    
    --Simon