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Tin Woodman
TIN WOODMAN, by David Bischoff and Dennis R. Bailey
This original novel served as the basis of the authors' screenplay/screen story for the Star Trek: Next Generation third-season episode, "Tin Man".
Div Harlthor is a misfit by anybody’s definition, a young man “gifted” with such strong psychic powers that he cannot bear human contact and is happiest living in isolation. But Div is also the one human being whose powers may be strong enough to reach out and contact a mysterious alien creature found drifting in deep space. He was taken into space against his will, sent out against his will to examine the great creature with his mind–and no one could have predicted what would happen when his will and that of the alien were joined . . .
The vu-tank came alive suddenly, focused on Tin Woodman. Close enough to allow a human figure in a bright yellow pressure suit to be seen drifting along the side of the alien, gloved hand pressed lightly against the living tissue of the hull, as if caressing it. Near Div, an opening was forming in the substance—Tin Woodman’s flesh drawing back like the iris of a human eye. There was no mistaking Div’s intention. He was going to enter Tin Woodman.
Mora watched as the metal claws of the spider rose up close in the foreground of the holographic image, then extended toward Tin Woodman. Under Darsen’s command the spider was moving in on Div rapidly. It frightened her.
Mora locked her right hand around Darsen’s left wrist. She drove her mind, knifelike, into his mind.
Screaming, Darsen leaped out of his chair, away from the console.
She probed deeper, feeling no sympathy; only the echoes of Darsen’s pain through her empathic faculties.
“Look at me,” she demanded.
Darsen angled his face upward, eyes bulging. He gasped for breath, his hand grabbing futilely at his head, as though to break the link with Mora through physical force.
“Look at yourself,” she shouted, making her mind a mirror. All the hatred, the fear of Darsen rose to the surface. “Look at the horror, at the pain you’ve caused. Look at yourself as another sees you!”
Darsen shrieked.
This original novel served as the basis of the authors' screenplay/screen story for the Star Trek: Next Generation third-season episode, "Tin Man".
Div Harlthor is a misfit by anybody’s definition, a young man “gifted” with such strong psychic powers that he cannot bear human contact and is happiest living in isolation. But Div is also the one human being whose powers may be strong enough to reach out and contact a mysterious alien creature found drifting in deep space. He was taken into space against his will, sent out against his will to examine the great creature with his mind–and no one could have predicted what would happen when his will and that of the alien were joined . . .
The vu-tank came alive suddenly, focused on Tin Woodman. Close enough to allow a human figure in a bright yellow pressure suit to be seen drifting along the side of the alien, gloved hand pressed lightly against the living tissue of the hull, as if caressing it. Near Div, an opening was forming in the substance—Tin Woodman’s flesh drawing back like the iris of a human eye. There was no mistaking Div’s intention. He was going to enter Tin Woodman.
Mora watched as the metal claws of the spider rose up close in the foreground of the holographic image, then extended toward Tin Woodman. Under Darsen’s command the spider was moving in on Div rapidly. It frightened her.
Mora locked her right hand around Darsen’s left wrist. She drove her mind, knifelike, into his mind.
Screaming, Darsen leaped out of his chair, away from the console.
She probed deeper, feeling no sympathy; only the echoes of Darsen’s pain through her empathic faculties.
“Look at me,” she demanded.
Darsen angled his face upward, eyes bulging. He gasped for breath, his hand grabbing futilely at his head, as though to break the link with Mora through physical force.
“Look at yourself,” she shouted, making her mind a mirror. All the hatred, the fear of Darsen rose to the surface. “Look at the horror, at the pain you’ve caused. Look at yourself as another sees you!”
Darsen shrieked.
ebook
First published January 1, 1980
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About the author
David Bischoff
164 books103 followersaka Mark Grant (with Bruce King), Brad Quentin (with Terry Bisson)
Born in Washington D.C. and now living in Eugene, Oregon, David Bischoff writes science fiction books, short stories, and scripts for television. Though he has been writing since the early 1970s, and has had over 80 books published, David is best known for novelizations of popular movies and TV series including the Aliens, Gremlins, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and WarGames.
Born in Washington D.C. and now living in Eugene, Oregon, David Bischoff writes science fiction books, short stories, and scripts for television. Though he has been writing since the early 1970s, and has had over 80 books published, David is best known for novelizations of popular movies and TV series including the Aliens, Gremlins, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and WarGames.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 14, 2024
I absolutely loved this quick read. There is so much in this story. I loved it. More review to come.
February 4, 2020
Co-author Dennis R. Bailey.
1982 Grade B+.
2020 Grade B-/C+
The story really is in the grade B range, but I found the writing very tedious on second read even though it has been ~40 years. Personally I would give it a C+ and never read it again. It repeats information quite a bit and is over written. I speed read regularly, and it was easy to put down and not pick up again for a while.
1982 Grade B+.
2020 Grade B-/C+
The story really is in the grade B range, but I found the writing very tedious on second read even though it has been ~40 years. Personally I would give it a C+ and never read it again. It repeats information quite a bit and is over written. I speed read regularly, and it was easy to put down and not pick up again for a while.
May 6, 2012
This novel is based on a nebular award winning short story, and was later adapted into a Star Trek episode named Tin Man. Highly recommended.
March 28, 2020
Starts out promisingly with an Earth telepath recruited to make contact with an alien object, but the plot slowly degenerates into space opera with a touch of tragedy and an attempted wonder ending which doesn't come off. Still, many good moments, some sympathetic characterisation (Mora), and some nice technical innovations, particularly an early rendering of Star Trek's Holo-deck.
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October 23, 2025fine paperback 1st edition
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews