The Reluctant Rebel

You may be looking for "The Reluctant Jedi," a novel that makes up Abode of Strife #9, or Reluctant Heroes.

Zine
Title:	The Reluctant Rebel
Publisher:	Alvyren Press
Editor:
Author(s):	Mary Jean Holmes
Cover Artist(s):
Illustrator(s):	Mary Jean Holmes
Date(s):	January 1982
Medium:	print
Size:
Genre:	gen
Fandom:	Star Wars
Language:	English
External Links:
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The Reluctant Rebel is a gen Star Wars 154-page novel written and illustrated by Mary Jean Holmes.

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  front cover

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  flyer

Summary

From the flyer:

When Han Solo said he could think of more enjoyable things to do with his life than spend it working for the Rebel Alliance, he wasn't joking.

But returning to Corellia wasn't one of them -- especially when that return was to be in the company of one particularly annoying Alderanni princess.

Given a start like that, however, Han felt certain things couldn't possibly get any worse.

Naturally, he was wrong.

Sample Interior

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Reactions and Reviews

1983

The Reluctant Rebel is a novel that puts Mary Jean Holmes up there at the top in any discussion of fan literature. First, her writing is stylish and easy to read, prose and dialogue, action and exposition flowing smoothly through this between-the-films-tale of Leia's mission to Corella. How her scheme to get Solo to volunteer backflres; what dangers they face; who is Solo anyway; can Luke help in time -- are all tensions set up in the first parts, and the resolution makes a satisfying read. Holmes is brilliant with character relationships and delineation in some respects: for example, Leia's surprise that Solo might be reading poetry and his reaction; the stunning scene-visually and aurally-between Han and Luke with snowballs; the political interaction between fully-fleshed secondary characters diverse, contentious, detailed cultures of Corella. On the other hand, there's a serious lack in one of the major relationships. Granted, the novel is most concerned with Solo's question of commitment to anything, to the rebellion in general, to his friends in particular. But the state of his relationship with Leia is an important building block to the conclusion. Holmes brings the two out of Star Wars with many differences and not much opportunity (privacy) for gaining the understanding one might infer-at least on his part-in TESB. Having put them into interaction necessary to the story, Holmes sets up tlie growth of a new understanding and doesn't quite deliver the emotional payoff. No big cinch is required-in fact, would be out of place at this stage-but for the reader each character should acknowledged that new state of mind. Otherwise, the transmutation in this story is of shaky foundation-and that nearly reduces it from novel to very-long-vignette in one fell swoop. But get it. Only one last thing, and it's actually endearing: when driven to the wall for a word (and she knows one's there), Holmes coins some wonderful un-English. This can be simply solved, and it in no way harms the story. For better work as a writer, I recommend an editor, a dictionary or a Thesaurus.

I have just finished reading "Reluctant Rebel." I was not able to put it down for many chapters, thanks to the mountainous cliff-hangers at the ends of the chapters, but I found it a fine blend of character development with a special message, and a delightful dusting of lighthearted humor. I frequently laughed out loud. I confess, I had not given much thought to Star Wars after I saw the movie, but I sure am glad that you have. Your writing has made me wonder if I missed something the first time although I would rather believe that your addition-edition is clearly an unmistakable improvement of the original efforts. What a difference! It may be the fact that I read your story and didn't see it on a video tape that goes by me too fast for me to appreciate, but I would like to think otherwise.

When I read, all I wanted was to appreciate well-written, vivid descriptive prose with a purposeful message (not like TV serials) and fulfilling character development with expressive feelings and moods of real people interacting. No wonder I'd been turning to ancient history to find it; a time before the media revolution of special effects gimmickry. I was impressed to see how your figures could stand on their own without all the tinsel.

Before seeing your work, I had read some fandom poetry and songs. I certainly am the least qualified to be critical of the creative achievements in fandom involving Star Wars or Star Trek. I'm so glad to learn that some thinking In fandom is more than behaviorally conditioned commercial propaganda, created by advertising campaign and designed to market a product and its offshoots in their most superficially attractive packages. That "brain candy" a consumer might taste and say, "Ummm, good," without thought, no matter what came Inside. I may be overly sensitive, but I suspect this may even be the plan of some big-shot to make the most for his almighty dollar. Does everything have to have a price tag?

This is a different experience for me. Up until now, I've wondered what I could be thinking about, sending my kind of "personal beef" prose-poetry, thinking that our subject matters are so different — or, perhaps that, even worse, who would care to listen? Have no fear, for it has occurred to me that you and I may be fighting the battle on the same side. I was able to identify with what I felt were political-social-moral statements as I read your story. You can imagine my excitement and relief in knowing — or at least feeling — that someone I admire and look up to may share some of the same sentiments as me, and that our artistic motivations may not be worlds apart, after all. As I read, I thought, "Now, I've thought about that," and, "Yes, that's what I meant to say," and "I wonder if the idea of thus-and-such will come up...yup," and "Do you really mean for your story to make these intellectual comments and be a thriller at the same time?" Thanks for the idea. I thought it was fascinating!

[Author]: Indeed, I do intent to write stories that both make a valid commentary and entertain. That is, after all, the ideal for the best of fiction to strive after. I will admit, however, that a good percentage of the fan fiction I've read (not printed) has been rather vapid, basically fantasy fulfillment for the authors. Some do attempt to make valid stateless, others succeed, but many don't even try. But because so many are mere fluff does not invalidate the genre as a whole. Indeed, I find it far easier to make a point of it comes from the lips of characters many of the readers know and love. The fact that George Lucas's epic is in actuality a fairy tale in no way denigrates his effort; some of the most profound wisdom ever written was put into just such tales, and were tense more readily accepted by children. Mr. Lucas has created the mythos; I and others simply employ that which he has already created to make statement of our own. And if more ears listen because of it, all the better. Entertainment can be educational, as well.