Star Wars: A New Hope (novelization)

Star Wars: A New Hope, which was previously known as Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker, represents a Legends novel. Though attributed to George Lucas, it was actually written by Alan Dean Foster. This novel is an adaptation of the film of the same title, drawing its narrative from Lucas's screenplay. Ballantine Books released the novelization on November 12, 1976, which was before the movie's debut in 1977.

Foster also penned a follow-up novel titled Splinter of the Mind's Eye, which came out in 1978. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope was subsequently included in The Star Wars Saga (1983) and The Star Wars Trilogy (1987).

Publisher's summary

On a dangerous quest, Luke Skywalker faced off against the forces of a faraway galaxy, where life's essence morphed into the power of annihilation!

Luke Skywalker was incredibly weary of his mundane farm duties, his boredom reaching its peak. He longed for thrilling escapades among the celestial bodies—adventures that would transport him across the most distant galaxies to strange and uncharted territories.

However, Luke's expectations were surpassed when he stumbled upon a mysterious communication from a stunning princess imprisoned by a formidable and sinister warlord. Though unaware of her identity, Luke felt compelled to rescue her—and with urgency, as time was of the essence.

Equipped solely with his bravery and the lightsaber inherited from his father, Luke found himself thrust into the heart of the fiercest interstellar conflict ever witnessed…and he was hurtling towards a perilous confrontation aboard the enemy's battle station, infamously known as the Death Star!

Development

Alan Dean Foster served as the ghostwriter for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, using materials provided by George Lucas. Ballantine Books initially published it as Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker on November 12, 1976. The initial edition of the novel showcased cover artwork by Ralph McQuarrie, while later editions frequently featured artwork by John Berkey.

Continuity

Differences from the film

Being based on the screenplay of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, the novelization contains several subtle differences when compared to the final version of the film. Some of these variations are:

  • The novel commences with the phrase "Another galaxy, another time," instead of "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...."
  • During the conflict on the Tantive IV, the stormtroopers descend from the ceiling, rather than storming through a doorway.
  • Before Leia Organa is taken prisoner, she eliminates two stormtroopers, as opposed to just one.
  • Prior to Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader entering the conference room, eight Imperial Senators and officers are present around the table. The film only depicts seven officers. During the scene, Vader uses the Force to telekinetically retrieve a cup from the table.
  • Conan Antonio Motti is absent from the conference; instead, the dispute occurs between Cassio Tagge and Hurst Romodi. Furthermore, Tagge is the one who ridicules Vader's use of the Force and subsequently gets Force-choked by Vader.
  • Skywalker's X-34 landspeeder is described as having a closed cockpit, contrasting the open cockpit seen in the film.
  • Skywalker's lightsaber is described as having a hilt adorned with jewels.
  • In the novel, Tarkin is present while Organa is being tortured. Conversely, in the film, Organa doesn't encounter Tarkin until she is escorted to the Death Star's Overbridge.
  • Chewbacca is portrayed as having vibrant, yellow eyes.
  • Within the cantina, Skywalker is harassed by a group of three individuals. Kenobi bisects a smaller alien and severs the arm of another. Ponda Baba is depicted with multiple eyes.
  • Jabba is described as a corpulent biped featuring a repulsive, shaggy skull and jowls. His scars are said to be indicative of his formidable reputation in combat.
  • Following the destruction of Alderaan, Vader reports that Alderaan possessed defensive capabilities "as strong as that of the Empire." In the novel, Obi-Wan does not sense Alderaan's destruction through the Force.
  • Stormtrooper TK-421 is identified as THX-1138.
  • The officer in charge of the detention block is killed when activating an alarm, rather than brandishing a blaster. When the group plunges into the garbage chute, Han Solo precedes Skywalker. The garbage chamber's designation is 366-17891 instead of 3263827.
  • During the Battle of Yavin, Skywalker, Biggs Darklighter, Wedge Antilles, Garven Dreis, Porkins, and John D. Branon are assigned to Blue Squadron, while Jon Vander, Tiree, and Davish Krail are in Red Squadron. However, in the film, Skywalker, Darklighter, Antilles, Dreis, Porkins, and Branon are in Red Squadron and Vander, Tiree, and Krail are in Gold Squadron. Skywalker also executes two attack runs through the Death Star trench. Upon learning of Darklighter's demise, Skywalker's eyes well up with tears, and he reflects, "'We're a couple of shooting stars, Biggs' he whispered huskily, 'and we'll never be stopped.'"
  • At the conclusion of the novel, Organa presents Chewbacca with a medal.

Differences from later works

The novel also contains elements that have been retconned in subsequent works. The prologue of the book includes excerpts from the Journal of the Whills, and it suggests that Emperor Palpatine was simply a symbolic figurehead controlled by the Imperial bureaucracy. Additionally, certain words exhibit differing spellings; "Wookiee" is rendered as "Wookie", and "Hutt" appears as "Hut".

Reception

From July 3, 1977, to October 23, 1977, the novel was featured on the New York Times Paperback Best Sellers list. It was described as "STAR WARS, by George Lucas (Ballantine/Del Rey, $1.95) The Space fantasy film hit in novel form, written by its director."

Media

Editions

American

International

Cover gallery

American

International

Newspaper serialization

A serialized version of the novel was released in newspapers across North America during 1977.

Appearances

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