…And All The Stars A Stage by James Blish (book review)
‘…And All The Stars A Stage’ is a marvellous title, a take on ‘All The World’s A Stage’ in case you didn’t know. Oddly, the slowness of the opening of this book, where Jorn Birn wants to move out from his boring existence is more aware from reading the inside book cover and back cover. Oddly, author Jim Blish seems to get things lost in the words which is rather unusual for him.
Looking at the list of books he recently did for publisher Corgi at the time, there are twelve ‘Star Trek’ books, eleven of them episode adaptations, three to a book. Getting back to his own writing must have been interesting.
One thing the notes on the cover is wrong about is the sun turning nova. Essentially, this is the creation of some generation starships sent out to look for life. Birn is on the Javelin, working his way up the ranks. Its rather interesting how the crews were selected. Under thirty years of age, no medical problems and various careers. I’m less sure about not taking medical staff. Even if they were all healthy, they’re landing on alien planets and risk infection and injury. Not finding a planet they like and the crew getting older, they start breeding their own replacements.
Putting the story into 157 pages, it is pretty obvious that Blish compressed the story and a lot of that is with the pace. The jump from construction to being in space is a blink and you’ll miss it situation. So, essentially, you end up with a quick read. Quite why he stayed with space adventures after his run on ‘Star Trek’ and, I would guess, he hadn’t gotten it out of his system.
I wouldn’t put it amongst Blish’s best books but is worth a read.
GF Willmetts
October 2025
(pub: Corgi Books, copyright 1971 this reprint 1975. 157 page paperback. Price: varies. ISBN: 0-552-09732-2)
