Sean Randall reviewed The Hologram's Handbook by Robert Picardo
Review of "The Hologram's Handbook" on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
I've never read Andrew J. Robinson's [b:A Stitch in Time|278040|A Stitch in Time (Star Trek Deep Space Nine)|Andrew J. Robinson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173371148s/278040.jpg|269664] but, like this title, know it was written out of the flow of the television series. Even so, Robinson portrayed his character with aplomb and whilst The Doctor is a very different persona entirely, Robert Picardo attracts a similar level of admiration for his acting ability, whit, and general entertainment value.
I listened to an abridged form of this book in audio, read by the author himself. This is something of a Pocket Books tradition (i.e. publishing abridged audio versions), but in this instance there's little to complain about. Because Picardo is both the author and narrator, you really get the impression that he's standing in front of you on some sort of huge, golden stage (naturally constructed so he has more room to pontificate), expostulating to you in his …
I've never read Andrew J. Robinson's [b:A Stitch in Time|278040|A Stitch in Time (Star Trek Deep Space Nine)|Andrew J. Robinson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173371148s/278040.jpg|269664] but, like this title, know it was written out of the flow of the television series. Even so, Robinson portrayed his character with aplomb and whilst The Doctor is a very different persona entirely, Robert Picardo attracts a similar level of admiration for his acting ability, whit, and general entertainment value.
I listened to an abridged form of this book in audio, read by the author himself. This is something of a Pocket Books tradition (i.e. publishing abridged audio versions), but in this instance there's little to complain about. Because Picardo is both the author and narrator, you really get the impression that he's standing in front of you on some sort of huge, golden stage (naturally constructed so he has more room to pontificate), expostulating to you in his usual, flamboyant (and utterly self-aggrandising) style. my only feeling of sadness was missing out on more of the dry whit, sparkling humour and droll sarcasm that makes this a truly pleasurable read - which means I'll have to go find a printed copy at some point.
Picardo is utterly in-character, and the whole presentation is something The Doctor would come up with. I'm slightly surprised there aren't more in-universe references, jokes etc - the use of the name Joe in the chapter "What's in a name?" notwithstanding. there were several other oblique references that only a diehard fan would have spotted, which might explain why I missed 'em.
My favourite chapters have to be "Expanding your program" (the bit about the stomach cracked me up) and "dress for success". I also enjoyed "user Friendly" and "Anatomical Correctness", but the whole title was ablaze with that which makes The Doctor, the Doctor. The song at the end was a great listen, it's great to know that Picardo did most of his own vocal work in the TV shows and that comes through clearly here.
With perhaps a shade too much emphasis on pretty posteriors, and maybe a little too much lost on the cutting-room floor in abridgements, this was nevertheless an unadulterated Voyager romp, firmly to be entrenched in Voy folklore for years to come and a fitting, worthy addition to the annals of trek literature, that is such a staple of the Star Trek world.