Stern Daughter

Zine
Title:	Stern Daughter
Publisher:	Empathy Press (1970s), edited by Keith Jackson
Editor:
Author(s):	Lynette Muir
Cover Artist(s):
Illustrator(s):
Date(s):	May 1983
Series?:	Yes
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:
Fandom:	Star Trek: TOS
Language:	English
External Links:
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Stern Daughter is a 37 page gen novel by Lynette Muir. It contains no interior illustration.

The title is based on a Wordsworth poem listed on the title page: "Stern daughter of the voice of God, of duty."

From an ad in Universal Translator #22: "A novella featuring a deliberate 'British stiff upper lip' view of some events on the Enterprise."

This zine had an initial print run of 100.

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  front cover

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  sample text

Reactions and Reviews

'Stern Daughter' is a novella by Lynette Muir, featuring three visitors to the Enterprise; General Sir Reginald ffotheringay-ffolkes; his wife, Lady Agatha and Percival Ponsonby-Browne, their A.D„C. (nick-named Pompey because he was born there). As you can see from this, the approach to the story is lighthearted, rather resembling the behind-the-scenes techniques ofGlen David. The characters are, of course, aristocratic English and while I seriously doubt that the hereditary principle will have survived in the 23rd century (including family castles and pearl necklaces), the writing is so forceful that I am willing to suspend disbelief.

The first part of the narrative establishes the characters and shows them in action on board ship. Sir Reginald, who is the Federation's chief Security organizer, is on his way to Coridan to enquire into security in the mining areas. He is a typical military man, giving a lecture on the Second Punic War over dinner. He also has a heart condition. This is an echo of 'Babel' and the story is in a sense a Babel sequel. Lady Agatha is extracted from P.G. Wodehouse via Mrs. Christie (as are the pearls!) and is something of a stereotype into which the author breathes life. She is concerned for her husband's health but like him is the servant of duty (the 'Stern Daughter' of the title - from Wordsworth). Pompey, an army Captain, has problems of his own in a conflict with crewman Jones which ends in an unseemly fracas in rec room 3. Kirk has to use all his tact and charm to extricate the parties from the ensuing complications, which include threatened court martial.

The latter part of the story involves the landing on Coridan and subsequent adventures with the Orions. (I notice they use the same terms for officers and men as the Romulans - see 'Balance of Terror' - are they related?) This is pure action adventure which is fast moving and effective, although the ending seems a little abrupt.

This zine is smoothly written, and in many ways, original. It will especially please fans who enjoy stories of other characters. The major figures are involved too, particularly McCoy who is well handled. However I must confess to some mild dissatisfaction, since for me the humour and seriousness did not blend. This is mainly beccuse the characters are stereotypes at base and seldom become more than that. They do not find an easy place in tragedy (or even action adventure). They are the figures of social comedy and have not the depth to arouse the reader's sorrow and sympathy. Given the theme of duty, serious though it is, and something with which Kirk himself would sympathise, irresistibly reminded me of that archetypal satire. 'The Pirates of Penzance', subtitled 'The Slave of Duty' which so successfully mocked that Victorian excelled virtue, that I do not believe it can be reinstated to its former seriousness.

However, despite these reservations, I enjoyed 'Stern Daughter'. Taken at its face value it is fun, which I suspect, is what the author intended