Only a Wookie
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | "Only a Wookie" on cover, "Only a Wookiee" on title page |
| Publisher: | |
| Editor: | |
| Author(s): | K. Alley Smith |
| Cover Artist(s): | Joyce Norton |
| Illustrator(s): | Joyce Norton |
| Date(s): | 1988 |
| Medium: | fanzine |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Star Wars |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Only a Wookie (on cover) Only a Wookiee (on title page ) is a Star Wars 233-page gen novel published in 1988 by K. Alley Smith.
From the Zine
Certain people have noted what they refer to (in less kindly terms) as essential differences given about Wookiees between this body of work and that given in other sources.
Concerned about these seeming contradictions, this author made a number of inquiries, with suitable lubrication where appropriate, and discovered the following:
It seems that during the period when the Alliance needed most to exploit all possible means of support and, at the same time, was in the greatest danger from the Emperor, Chewie was approached by a delegation from the PR department. They felt that a press release done in the form of a 'view of Wookiee life' would be of immense value to the Alliance, capitalizing on the mystery that has shrouded the Wookiees for many years and attracting public sympathy and backing.
Modesty is not considered a virtue among Wookiees; it is not often considered at all. Chewie embraced the project enthusiastically, deterred only by the fear that such publicity might provoke retaliation and endanger his home planet. Whether his prevailing motive for what followed was this concern or merely an uncontrollable outbreak of the less desirable aspects of the Wookiee sense of humor is unknown.
Han claims that Chewie played upon the ignorant but receptive PR team as upon a well-tuned musical instrument. In short, he cut the story for them out of whole cloth and embroidered it until even that weave was indistinguishable. (You may take the comment for what it's worth; the official record of the proceedings states that Han was incapacitated by a choking fit early in the interview and the actual translating was done by an unnamed interpretive droid.)
Even though the need for secrecy has passed, Chewie has never bothered to correct the tale told in most records of the Rebellion. When confronted directly, his only comment was translated as, "All the market will bear."
The Wookiee attitude toward humor can be compared to the human attitude toward wine and cheese. Wit (especially one's own) improves with time.