Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace (novelization)

The novel adaptation of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, penned by Terry Brooks, was brought to the public by Del Rey on April 21, 1999. It draws its narrative from the screenplay of the motion picture bearing the same title. Michael Cumpsty lent his voice to the abridged audio version as the narrator. Alexander Adams narrated the complete, unabridged edition. A new paperback version, which included a fresh short story titled End Game by James Luceno, was made available on January 31, 2012.

Editions

American

Foreign

Publisher's summary

Hardcover

In a distant galaxy, long ago, an ancient evil, once thought vanquished, begins to resurface. The Jedi are taken unawares, their focus directed towards the growing political tensions between the Trade Federation and the Republic. The dark side of the Force now threatens to eclipse the light, and the galaxy's only hope rests on an age-old Jedi prophecy.

Far from the Republic's concerns, on the desert planet of Tatooine, a young slave toils by day and dreams by night. He dreams of becoming a Jedi Knight, of traveling to distant worlds he has only heard about in stories, and of freeing himself and his beloved mother from enslavement. His only hope lies in his extraordinary instincts and his unique ability to perceive the "rightness" of things, talents that make him one of the best Podracers on the planet.

Elsewhere in the galaxy, Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, are tasked with protecting Amidala, the young Queen of Naboo, as she seeks to end the Trade Federation's siege of her planet. This mission leads Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and the Queen's beautiful young handmaiden to the sandy streets of Tatooine, to the shop where the slave boy Anakin Skywalker works and dreams. This chance encounter marks the beginning of a legendary saga.

Paperback

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, an evil legacy long believed dead is stirring. Now the dark side of the Force threatens to overwhelm the light, and only an ancient Jedi prophecy stands between hope and doom for the entire galaxy.

Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, are entrusted with the safety of Amidala, the young Queen of Naboo, as she attempts to resolve the Trade Federation's blockade of her planet. This quest brings Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, and one of the Queen's young handmaidens to the sand-swept streets of Tatooine and the shop where the slave boy Anakin Skywalker toils and dreams of finding a way to win freedom from enslavement for himself and his beloved mother. His only hope lies in his extraordinary instincts and his strange gift for understanding the "rightness" of things. It is this unexpected meeting that marks the beginning of the drama that will become legend.

Plot summary

Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi, two Jedi Knights, must assist Queen Amidala in rescuing her planet from the avaricious Trade Federation, accompanied by Jar Jar Binks, a Gungan outcast. During their journey, they come across Anakin Skywalker, a young boy with the potential to become a powerful Jedi.

The Jedi are sent to Naboo to mediate a conflict between the Trade Federation and Queen Amidala. The Federation has blockaded Naboo to coerce them into accepting an unfair trade agreement. Unknown to the Galactic Senate, the Federation has allied with Darth Sidious, a Dark Lord of the Sith whose Order the Jedi believe has been extinct for a millennium.

Before negotiations can even begin, the viceroy tries to assassinate Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, but the Jedi foil the attempt. Aboard the Federation's main ship, they discover a droid invasion army. After escaping to the planet's surface, they plan to warn Amidala about the impending army. With the help of Jar Jar Binks, a Gungan outcast, they reach Queen Amidala's palace in Theed, the capital city. To avoid signing the treaty, Amidala, along with Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Captain Panaka, and Jar Jar Binks, escapes to Coruscant, the galactic capital, to present her case to the Galactic Senate. On their way, they land on Tatooine for repairs to their damaged ship. At a salvage shop, Qui-Gon, Padmé (disguised as a commoner), and Jar Jar meet Anakin Skywalker, a young slave boy. Watto, Anakin's master, refuses to accept Republic credits for the part Qui-Gon needs, forcing Qui-Gon to find another way to pay. As a desert storm approaches, Anakin offers them shelter at his home. Qui-Gon discovers Anakin's undeveloped Jedi abilities and believes he may be the Chosen One destined to bring balance to the Force. He is further convinced when Anakin's mother, Shmi, reveals that Anakin was conceived without a father.

To help Qui-Gon obtain the spaceship part, Anakin volunteers to enter his own racer in a dangerous pod race. Qui-Gon bets Watto the Queen's spaceship and the entire winner's purse against the part and Anakin's freedom. Watto, confident of Anakin's defeat, accepts the bet. However, Anakin wins, and Watto reluctantly frees him. Shmi, wanting a better life for her son, allows Anakin to leave with Qui-Gon to become a Jedi.

Unbeknownst to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, Darth Maul, a Sith Lord and Darth Sidious's apprentice, has tracked them to Tatooine. Maul attacks the group as they prepare to leave, but they escape. On Coruscant, Qui-Gon informs a skeptical Jedi Council about the Sith's return. The council rejects Qui-Gon's request to train Anakin, citing his age, but Master Yoda senses danger in him. Qui-Gon, defiant, declares that Anakin will be his padawan regardless of the Council's decision.

Meanwhile, Queen Amidala presents her case to the Senate. Senator Palpatine persuades her that Supreme Chancellor Valorum is an ineffective leader. In reality, Valorum is trying to help Amidala but is hampered by a corrupt Senate. At Palpatine's urging, Amidala calls for a vote of no confidence against Valorum, leading to his removal and Palpatine's nomination as his replacement. Frustrated by the Senate's inaction, Amidala returns to Naboo with Qui-Gon, Panaka, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Jar Jar.

Upon arrival, they meet with the remaining Gungans in their sacred place, after Jar Jar has searched Otoh Gunga. There, Padmé reveals her true identity as Amidala (Sabé is her decoy) and convinces the Gungans to join their fight against the Trade Federation. The Gungans create a diversion, allowing the Naboo resistance to infiltrate the palace and attempt to capture the viceroy, who is hiding in the throne room. During their advance, they are ambushed by Darth Maul, leading to a duel with the two Jedi, while Anakin and R2-D2 seek shelter in a starfighter. He attempts to help Padmé's entourage by firing at droids that have also ambushed them. He inadvertently presses the power switch, which activates the autopilot and takes him out to space, towards the droid control ship. There is a heated battle in space which ends with Anakin torpedoing the control ship, deactivating all of the battle droids which ended the battle and saved the overpowered Gungans.

Padmé confronts the viceroy in the throne room, but her party is captured by droidekas. Sabé arrives with a diversion, and the viceroy sends all troops after her, thinking that Padmé is a decoy. Padmé pulls two blasters out of her throne and captures the viceroy.

Meanwhile, the Jedi continue their duel with Maul, traversing various rooms and walkways until they are separated by laser walls. Qui-Gon and Maul break through and continue their duel, while Kenobi watches helplessly. Qui-Gon is eventually slain by Maul, and Kenobi continues the fight and almost defeats Maul before he is knocked into a plasma input chute. There, Maul attempts to knock him down, but Kenobi performs a Force-aided jump out of the pit, summoning his master's lightsaber with his last remaining strength. He lands and cuts Maul in half. Qui-Gon's dying wish is for Kenobi to train Anakin. Yoda grants this wish at Qui-Gon's funeral, also promoting Kenobi to Jedi Knight, considering his defeat of a Sith Lord a sufficient trial.

Development

Terry Brooks dedicates the entirety of the fourteenth chapter in his memoir, Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life, to the process of writing the Episode I novelization, describing it as an exceptionally positive and fulfilling experience.

Continuity

This novelization, unlike those of the original trilogy, includes content not present in the film. It features three full chapters of original material by Terry Brooks, exclusive to the novel. The first two chapters detail Anakin's penultimate podrace and its aftermath, while a later chapter recounts an encounter between Anakin and a wounded Tusken Raider in the desert.

Before writing the book, Brooks met with George Lucas and received his approval and guidance, including insights into future developments in Episode II and Episode III. This is evident in passages such as the Tusken Raider scene, foreshadowing Anakin's mother's death in Episode II, and the events leading to Anakin's fight with the Rodian child (Greedo), indicating that Anakin's anger stems from his distress over Padmé's impending departure (a foreshadowing of Episode III's plot).

The novelization is particularly noted for a passage detailing the history of the Sith, including the initial mention of Darth Bane. According to Brooks' Sometimes the Magic Works, Lucas spent an hour on the phone with him discussing the history of the Jedi and the Sith. Therefore, the information on this subject in Brooks' novelization might derive from Lucas himself.

Appearances

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