Subject:      Death and Diplomacy - review by the Happy Guy
From:         gaffney@iconn.net (Sean Gaffney)
Date:         1996/04/13
Message-Id:   <4kn2q0$k48@news.iconn.net>
Organization: i-Conn
Newsgroups:   rec.arts.drwho

OK, finished in record time and now time for the review, which will attempt
to be a little more lucid, though no less fawning, of course...

I find myself beign a little more careful in my reviews, now that two previous
DWM reviewers, plus the current one, are online.  God knows I'm no David
McKinnon, but I shall try to be more - specific in my praise.  And I don't praise
everything, remember - just most things.  Plus, I have the ultimate excuse -
"I'm not a critic, I'm a book reviewer!"

SPOILERS for Death and Diplomacy!

Those of you who've seen my previous posting know I love this book.  But
this is a review, where I try and break the book up to tell everyone *why* I
like this book.  In order, then:

Plot:  Intriguing and complex.  I suppose I was so intrigued because I wasn't
really there for a plot; it was therefore a surprise that one dropped right in my
lap.  Even the time loop weirdness is perfectly acceptable, if Vardan-esque.

The Doctor:  I mentioned he was a bit Dark Doctor-ish earlier, but having
finished the book, this isn't true.  He manipulates everyone, but a) he's overt
about it, and b) everyone knows it.  Beautifully characterized, every bit
screamed Sylvester McCoy, and there wasn't even any spoon playing.

Roz and Chris - Pure double act in this, so I've given them a joint credit.
It does seem as if they were put in the story beccause they had to be - but
this doesn't mean they are poorly done.  Chris' speech on slavery is one of
the bast bits he's ever had, and Roz's sullen reaction to the treatment of
blacks in several previous books finally snaps.  Plus, they did Starship
Troopers, so, since I'm also The Heinlein Avenger... :-)

Supporting:  The villain was a) obvious, and b) really silly.  These are good
things, however, in the same way that Romance of Crime (you remember, the
Gareth Roberts book I liked) uses them - they become fun.  Harrison Chase
only wishes he were this over the top.  At the same time, the three rulers (who
basically represent all their races) are made refreshingly 3-D, not because
we glean more about them, but because they were genuine cardboard before,
and by the end of the book they have aquired a third dimension.  I don't feel
bad leaving this sector in their hands - plus, a wedding is always nice!

Writing Style: Oh, did I mention that this book is f**k me funny?  Well, it is.
Not in the same way as Sky Pirates! - although the jokes are just as overt.
Perhaps Dave's style works better when he isn't trying to be Terry Pratchett.
There are enough lines here to double Kathryn Andersen's collection of NA
quotes.  The Peri and Mel ref alone will win the people on this group.

Benny and Jason:  It wasn't a coincidence that I saved them for last.  Frankly,
the book could have been written in iambic-pentameter Kabuki and I wouldn't
have cared.  We meet Jason!!!  And he is, needless to say, the perfect man
for Benny.  I mentioned Solo/Leia earlier, but that was really wrong - they are
themselves.  The dialogue, however, starts with _Arms and the Man_, works
through _Twentieth Century_, and ends up in _Moonlighting_.  That is a
compliment.  Jason's background provides a chilling part of the narrative, as
we realize that Benny and Jason, through all their fighting, have avoided
trampling on each other's feelings so much that it hurts.  Pain is where this
relationship begins, but luckily, it ends with a proposal - and acceptance.  Plus,
they both have the best sex of their life - numerous times.

Closing praise:  This book, by the way, rips off from so many sources that I'd
be amazed if Dave didn't use Tom Lehrer's _Lobachevsky_ as his muse.  All
for the better.  This book is funny, but in a serius setting, which makes it more
acceptable than Sky Pirates!.  This would also be a good intro book for fans -
everyone is deeply in character.  The book ends with the blurb for Happy
Endings, and now has me positively galivanting with anticipation.

Did I mention I liked the book?

I've been to Istanbul.

10/10.

--Sean Gaffney
--"You git!  I thought you were dead!  Git git git!" - Benny, No Future