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Fan Fiction
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Humor (2021)A Mem-Noir: Inspired by True Events
From Brent Spiner, who played the beloved Lieutenant Commander Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation, comes this hilarious autobiographical novel, a personal look at the slightly askew relationship between a celebrity and his fans. If the Coen brothers were to make a Star Trek movie about the complexity of fan obsession and sci-fi, this dark comedy might be the result.
In 1991, just as Star Trek: The Next Generation has rocketed the cast to global fame, the young and impressionable Brent Spiner receives a mysterious package and a series of disturbing letters, sending him on a terrifying and bizarre journey. Paramount Security, the LAPD, and even the FBI were eventually involved in ending the danger that has his life and career hanging in the balance.
Fan Fiction is a zany love letter to a world in which we all participate, the phenomenon of "Fandom."
From Brent Spiner, who played the beloved Lieutenant Commander Data on Star Trek: The Next Generation, comes this hilarious autobiographical novel, a personal look at the slightly askew relationship between a celebrity and his fans. If the Coen brothers were to make a Star Trek movie about the complexity of fan obsession and sci-fi, this dark comedy might be the result.
In 1991, just as Star Trek: The Next Generation has rocketed the cast to global fame, the young and impressionable Brent Spiner receives a mysterious package and a series of disturbing letters, sending him on a terrifying and bizarre journey. Paramount Security, the LAPD, and even the FBI were eventually involved in ending the danger that has his life and career hanging in the balance.
Fan Fiction is a zany love letter to a world in which we all participate, the phenomenon of "Fandom."
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 967 reviews
November 2, 2021
I don’t smoke crack, although I must have been doing just that when I requested the opportunity to preview this book.
Fan Fiction is a “mem-noir” written by Brent Spiner - the guy best known for playing Data on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Have I ever watched an episode of ANY Star Trek? No. Then why did I feel like it was a good idea to read this? See above.
But commitments are commitments, so I dove in with an open mind. (Hopefully a crack-free one at this point.) The letter from the publisher that accompanied the print copy states, “Brent Spiner’s explosive and hilarious novel is a personal look at the slightly askew relationship between a celebrity and his fans. If the Coen Brothers were to make a Star Trek movie, involving the complexity of fan obsession and sci-fi, this noir comedy might just be the one.”
Okay then, so Fan Fiction is basically a self-indulgent fever dream in which Spiner fictionalizes a stalker experience he had in the early days of playing Data. Hence the “mem” part of mem-noir. The “noir” part is because it’s told in a darkly comedic fashion, complete with misogyny, F-bombs, uncomfortable sexual encounters, feverish drug use, and a pig’s penis. (Yes, a PIG’S PENIS. The darn thing is mentioned about 100 times, and that’s enough pig’s penis to last me a lifetime.)
In many ways this reminded me of Jim Carey’s disastrous 2020 “let me blur the lines between celebrity fact and fiction” book Memoirs and Misinformation, though Fan Fiction is more successful given its moments of lucid humor and coherent storytelling. (See the 2.94 GR rating for Carey’s M&M… yikes!!!)
Now the Fan Fiction AUDIOBOOK is something of its own experience. That’s right friends, I requested an advance copy of this not once but TWICE! Spiner is the primary narrator, but fellow Star Trek cast members such as Patrick Stewart, LeVar Burton, Jonathan Frakes, and Gates McFadden join in to read their own “lines.” (I had to look up half those people. See? Not a Star Trek fan. Side note though, I did once get assigned as LeVar Burton’s Studio escort down the step-and-repeat of the red carpet at the premiere of a late-90’s Disney movie. “Tarzan” maybe??? I introduced him as "LeVar Burton from Reading Rainbow” throughout the night, which got me a lot of strange looks. Further evidence of my lack of Trek-awareness, but I digress.)
Anyhoo, the audiobook also features sound effects and occasional music, so that’s cool. It’s a truly great production, which is what helped me settle at a comfortable 3-star rating. While I may not know Star Trek, I do know audiobooks, and Fan Fiction’s pulls out all the stops. And I’m 99.9% certain people who are actual fans of Spiner and his cohort will find this fiction a lot more fun than I did.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the advance print copy and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy via NetGalley. (Please don’t disown me now… I love you guys!) I was just a wee bit tardy with this review, so Fan Fiction is OUT NOW.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
Fan Fiction is a “mem-noir” written by Brent Spiner - the guy best known for playing Data on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Have I ever watched an episode of ANY Star Trek? No. Then why did I feel like it was a good idea to read this? See above.
But commitments are commitments, so I dove in with an open mind. (Hopefully a crack-free one at this point.) The letter from the publisher that accompanied the print copy states, “Brent Spiner’s explosive and hilarious novel is a personal look at the slightly askew relationship between a celebrity and his fans. If the Coen Brothers were to make a Star Trek movie, involving the complexity of fan obsession and sci-fi, this noir comedy might just be the one.”
Okay then, so Fan Fiction is basically a self-indulgent fever dream in which Spiner fictionalizes a stalker experience he had in the early days of playing Data. Hence the “mem” part of mem-noir. The “noir” part is because it’s told in a darkly comedic fashion, complete with misogyny, F-bombs, uncomfortable sexual encounters, feverish drug use, and a pig’s penis. (Yes, a PIG’S PENIS. The darn thing is mentioned about 100 times, and that’s enough pig’s penis to last me a lifetime.)
In many ways this reminded me of Jim Carey’s disastrous 2020 “let me blur the lines between celebrity fact and fiction” book Memoirs and Misinformation, though Fan Fiction is more successful given its moments of lucid humor and coherent storytelling. (See the 2.94 GR rating for Carey’s M&M… yikes!!!)
Now the Fan Fiction AUDIOBOOK is something of its own experience. That’s right friends, I requested an advance copy of this not once but TWICE! Spiner is the primary narrator, but fellow Star Trek cast members such as Patrick Stewart, LeVar Burton, Jonathan Frakes, and Gates McFadden join in to read their own “lines.” (I had to look up half those people. See? Not a Star Trek fan. Side note though, I did once get assigned as LeVar Burton’s Studio escort down the step-and-repeat of the red carpet at the premiere of a late-90’s Disney movie. “Tarzan” maybe??? I introduced him as "LeVar Burton from Reading Rainbow” throughout the night, which got me a lot of strange looks. Further evidence of my lack of Trek-awareness, but I digress.)
Anyhoo, the audiobook also features sound effects and occasional music, so that’s cool. It’s a truly great production, which is what helped me settle at a comfortable 3-star rating. While I may not know Star Trek, I do know audiobooks, and Fan Fiction’s pulls out all the stops. And I’m 99.9% certain people who are actual fans of Spiner and his cohort will find this fiction a lot more fun than I did.
My thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the advance print copy and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy via NetGalley. (Please don’t disown me now… I love you guys!) I was just a wee bit tardy with this review, so Fan Fiction is OUT NOW.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
October 14, 2021
Mixed feelings on this one, but the audiobook production was top notch! If you're going to read it, I would definitely recommend listening on audio. Star Trek TNG cast members cameo their dialogue, there are sound effects...it's a fun experience. And I should say up front I am a moderate fan of the show, which is why I was interested in the book. I grew up watching Next Gen and Voyager with my mom, so these characters were a big part of my childhood.
That said, this is a bit of a strange book and I think responses to it are going to be mixed. It's a noir thriller inspired by real events in the life of Brent Spiner (aka Data). The title Fan Fiction is a light play on fanfic stories, but also explains that this is a fictional book about the good, the bad and the ugly of interacting with fans as a celebrity. I'm seeing some reviews upset because this isn't at all like fanfiction, and no. It's not intended to be.
It does take an interesting look at how some fans can take things way too far. In this case Brent begins receiving death threats from someone claiming to be his fictional daughter from an episode of the show, while another women sends him letters about her fantasies of their torrid affair. And yes, there are definitely cases of fans who engage in extreme behaviors. Spiner tries to offer a balanced view of positive fan interactions as well, so I wouldn't take this as hating on fandom culture. But he does talk a bit about how his narcissistic side loves the attention and the love, but that he doesn't always want the responsibility of loving people in return. Which is an interesting look into how some celebrities might feel about these often one-sided relationships.
As far as the plot is concerned, it was a bit of a mixed bag for me. Keep in mind that the title tells you it is a Mem-NOIR. And indeed, this follows many typical tropes of the noir thriller genre. And I'm reminded why I typically avoid noir books written by men. Because they tend to be rather misogynistic, objectifying female characters through the femme fatale sort of trope. This is no different. For instance, Spiner ends up interested in identical twin sisters who are respectively an FBI agent investigating his case and a personal bodyguard. At least it's not both at once? Yeah, not my favorite thing but I guess I shouldn't be surprised given the genre. The early part of this book was very funny, though for me it kind of lost the charm as time went on. I'm not saying don't read it because there are interesting elements and everyone likes different things, just be aware of what you're getting. For me it was just okay, but your mileage may vary. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
That said, this is a bit of a strange book and I think responses to it are going to be mixed. It's a noir thriller inspired by real events in the life of Brent Spiner (aka Data). The title Fan Fiction is a light play on fanfic stories, but also explains that this is a fictional book about the good, the bad and the ugly of interacting with fans as a celebrity. I'm seeing some reviews upset because this isn't at all like fanfiction, and no. It's not intended to be.
It does take an interesting look at how some fans can take things way too far. In this case Brent begins receiving death threats from someone claiming to be his fictional daughter from an episode of the show, while another women sends him letters about her fantasies of their torrid affair. And yes, there are definitely cases of fans who engage in extreme behaviors. Spiner tries to offer a balanced view of positive fan interactions as well, so I wouldn't take this as hating on fandom culture. But he does talk a bit about how his narcissistic side loves the attention and the love, but that he doesn't always want the responsibility of loving people in return. Which is an interesting look into how some celebrities might feel about these often one-sided relationships.
As far as the plot is concerned, it was a bit of a mixed bag for me. Keep in mind that the title tells you it is a Mem-NOIR. And indeed, this follows many typical tropes of the noir thriller genre. And I'm reminded why I typically avoid noir books written by men. Because they tend to be rather misogynistic, objectifying female characters through the femme fatale sort of trope. This is no different. For instance, Spiner ends up interested in identical twin sisters who are respectively an FBI agent investigating his case and a personal bodyguard. At least it's not both at once? Yeah, not my favorite thing but I guess I shouldn't be surprised given the genre. The early part of this book was very funny, though for me it kind of lost the charm as time went on. I'm not saying don't read it because there are interesting elements and everyone likes different things, just be aware of what you're getting. For me it was just okay, but your mileage may vary. I received an audio review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 26, 2021
Being that I am a Trekkie, when I saw that Brent Spiner wrote a book, I knew I had to read it. When I saw that it was fictional I was intrigued and when I saw that a few friends had loved it, I requested it from NetGalley and here we are!
Going back to the early years of Star Trek: The Next Generation, we join Brent Spiner as he's one of the stars of the show. It's not yet the huge thing it became as the show went on, but Data is becoming rather popular. Then one day he receives a letter threatening to kill him and it's signed by Lal. (For those that never watched the show, Lal was a young android that Data created in the hopes of having a daughter.) As the death threats keep coming, Spiner must learn how to deal with them, how to keep himself safe and more importantly, how to keep those around him safe. Will he be successful? You'll have to read this to find out!
Right from the very start, I enjoyed the writing style and I found the story to be entertaining and quite funny. We got to meet Jonathan Frakes, along with his wife in real life Genie Francis, but whether or not these are supposed to be fictional characters or how they are in real life, I could not say. I can say they were hilarious, along with the brief glimpses we get of Marina Sirtis, Levar Burton and Michael Dorn. There are also peeks behind the scenes-mainly in the makeup trailer which were fun to learn about. All of this I found to be engaging.
Where the tale started losing me was with the introduction of other characters such as Cindi Lou, Candy, and Grace. They didn't stand out to me as real characters, to be honest. It felt like they were placed there to forward the plot and they didn't even do much of that. The twins Candy and Cindy especially felt like cutouts to me and neither one behaved in ways that I found to be believable.
Was this novel fun and entertaining? Hell yes! Was it a good book? I guess that depends on the reader. For THIS reader, it WAS good, it just felt like a debut novel, (which I think it IS, so that makes sense.) What I liked most about it though, was the Star Trek stuff and the details about filming and makeup. The mystery of the death threats, which were the point of the story, never really connected with me and for that reason I gave this 3 stars.
Would I read another book by Brent Spiner? Absolutely! I expect this talented man to hone his writing skills and add "best-selling author" to his long line of credits.
*Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
Going back to the early years of Star Trek: The Next Generation, we join Brent Spiner as he's one of the stars of the show. It's not yet the huge thing it became as the show went on, but Data is becoming rather popular. Then one day he receives a letter threatening to kill him and it's signed by Lal. (For those that never watched the show, Lal was a young android that Data created in the hopes of having a daughter.) As the death threats keep coming, Spiner must learn how to deal with them, how to keep himself safe and more importantly, how to keep those around him safe. Will he be successful? You'll have to read this to find out!
Right from the very start, I enjoyed the writing style and I found the story to be entertaining and quite funny. We got to meet Jonathan Frakes, along with his wife in real life Genie Francis, but whether or not these are supposed to be fictional characters or how they are in real life, I could not say. I can say they were hilarious, along with the brief glimpses we get of Marina Sirtis, Levar Burton and Michael Dorn. There are also peeks behind the scenes-mainly in the makeup trailer which were fun to learn about. All of this I found to be engaging.
Where the tale started losing me was with the introduction of other characters such as Cindi Lou, Candy, and Grace. They didn't stand out to me as real characters, to be honest. It felt like they were placed there to forward the plot and they didn't even do much of that. The twins Candy and Cindy especially felt like cutouts to me and neither one behaved in ways that I found to be believable.
Was this novel fun and entertaining? Hell yes! Was it a good book? I guess that depends on the reader. For THIS reader, it WAS good, it just felt like a debut novel, (which I think it IS, so that makes sense.) What I liked most about it though, was the Star Trek stuff and the details about filming and makeup. The mystery of the death threats, which were the point of the story, never really connected with me and for that reason I gave this 3 stars.
Would I read another book by Brent Spiner? Absolutely! I expect this talented man to hone his writing skills and add "best-selling author" to his long line of credits.
*Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
September 15, 2022
4 Stars for Fan Fiction: A Mem-Noir: Inspired by True Events (audiobook) by Brent Spiner read by a full cast.
This story was a lot of fun but it really leaves me wondering what part of it was true and what was fiction. I think this is a must read for the Next Generation fans.
This story was a lot of fun but it really leaves me wondering what part of it was true and what was fiction. I think this is a must read for the Next Generation fans.
August 8, 2021
This MIGHT have had a bit more kick. But as it is, expecting nothing more than what it is, it's not bad.
What do I mean? Brent Spiner, Data of TNG, uses his life as an inspiration to write a fan-gone-wrong noir.
On the one hand, I REALLY wanted to enjoy a humorous romp or a scary ride, and it seemed to be going in both directions, and it SEEMED right on track, but there were a few things that didn't feel right to me.
For one, Brent seems slightly tone-deaf to his fan base. I'm not saying that he should have been anything more or less than what he is, of course, but -- yeah -- maybe I am. Okay. My take: if he, as the narrator, had been completely honest, more self-aware, less wishy-washy about his status as a cult favorite, I probably would have just enjoyed this standard plot for all that it is.
Crazy psychotic fans taking things too far IS a thing, after all, and as far as I know here, Brent did experience it.
But I'm of two minds on THAT as well: A fiction is a fiction and can get away with a lot, but a dramatic autobiography is a dramatic autobiography that might allow us some stretched credibility in the unreliable narrator category.
So which IS this? Some basic facts that are then blown up into Basic Instinct levels? Albeit with a cool one that ties in an awesome ep of TNG with Data's daughter?
I should just let that bit be, let this be what it is. But honestly, while it is far from being bad, I DID want a lot more.
What do I mean? Brent Spiner, Data of TNG, uses his life as an inspiration to write a fan-gone-wrong noir.
On the one hand, I REALLY wanted to enjoy a humorous romp or a scary ride, and it seemed to be going in both directions, and it SEEMED right on track, but there were a few things that didn't feel right to me.
For one, Brent seems slightly tone-deaf to his fan base. I'm not saying that he should have been anything more or less than what he is, of course, but -- yeah -- maybe I am. Okay. My take: if he, as the narrator, had been completely honest, more self-aware, less wishy-washy about his status as a cult favorite, I probably would have just enjoyed this standard plot for all that it is.
Crazy psychotic fans taking things too far IS a thing, after all, and as far as I know here, Brent did experience it.
But I'm of two minds on THAT as well: A fiction is a fiction and can get away with a lot, but a dramatic autobiography is a dramatic autobiography that might allow us some stretched credibility in the unreliable narrator category.
So which IS this? Some basic facts that are then blown up into Basic Instinct levels? Albeit with a cool one that ties in an awesome ep of TNG with Data's daughter?
I should just let that bit be, let this be what it is. But honestly, while it is far from being bad, I DID want a lot more.
August 9, 2024
I have to admit, when I saw this in my local library, I was a bit of a “curious” fan about it. Who didn’t watch “Star Trek: The Next Generation” at some point during their television binging years before streaming? And, if you did, the character of Lt. Commander Data was certainly the one to be fascinated by. And, if you are too young to know, maybe this may be one to look up.
Well, this is his book. He is the author. And, what he has chosen to do is incorporate himself and his cast of fellow actors into the story. Not to dissimilar to Anthony Horowitz style with his Hawthorne and Horowitz series where he has a fictional version of himself as a modern-day Holmes. But maybe not as sophisticated.
So, what did he do here? Well, in this debut novel, he has made it part memoir, part insider behind the scenes look at Star Trek, part what it is like being a working actor, part noir, part mystery in a 1990’s Los Angeles setting.
We follow the author talking about himself becoming an actor chronicling his years of struggles and then his eventual success. That struggle to success only lasts about 10 pages. Which means the memoir of the novel is short. The fiction is the majority of the tale. And, that is when the story gets weird.
It is a bit madcap strange, trying to be charming. The ending, sudden and bizarre. Characters are caricatures of the actors he worked with on the series. So, was it a comedy, a mystery, a memoir, a satire, or a diversion? (I know…diversion does not describe a genre!)
Maybe, it just was Brent Spiner having a little bit of fun, with no ego attached. A story that wasn’t great, but just okay, but…a diversion, so to speak.
Well, this is his book. He is the author. And, what he has chosen to do is incorporate himself and his cast of fellow actors into the story. Not to dissimilar to Anthony Horowitz style with his Hawthorne and Horowitz series where he has a fictional version of himself as a modern-day Holmes. But maybe not as sophisticated.
So, what did he do here? Well, in this debut novel, he has made it part memoir, part insider behind the scenes look at Star Trek, part what it is like being a working actor, part noir, part mystery in a 1990’s Los Angeles setting.
We follow the author talking about himself becoming an actor chronicling his years of struggles and then his eventual success. That struggle to success only lasts about 10 pages. Which means the memoir of the novel is short. The fiction is the majority of the tale. And, that is when the story gets weird.
It is a bit madcap strange, trying to be charming. The ending, sudden and bizarre. Characters are caricatures of the actors he worked with on the series. So, was it a comedy, a mystery, a memoir, a satire, or a diversion? (I know…diversion does not describe a genre!)
Maybe, it just was Brent Spiner having a little bit of fun, with no ego attached. A story that wasn’t great, but just okay, but…a diversion, so to speak.
February 9, 2023
This was a fast and funny read. Billed as "A Mem-noir, inspired by true events," it's the story of Brent Spiner, the actor who played Data on Star Trek: Next Gen, who got caught up in the craziness of over-the-top and out-of-control Trekkers in 1991. Many of the other cast members from the show appear (not mention Ronald Reagon and Gene Roddenberry), and we have a large cast of other characters that we're left to wonder if they were real or entirely fictional, as well as wondering the same about some of the events. (Probably might have been better off without the identical twin pistol-packing sexy sisters who look just like Jodie Foster.) It was fun to see the famous Trek characters in the setting of a Hollywood detective mystery, though the resolution of the story was a little lackluster. Many of the stars of various Treks over the years have had their names appear on co-written novels, and one always suspects that the actor wrote their name and mid-list sf genre collaborators wrote all of the other words, but that really doesn't matter, because the story is the thing. This was a fun one. (And it really, really deserved a better cover... don't judge this one by the bland and simplistic juvenile mess it sports.)
January 6, 2022
Well, that was not exactly what I was expecting. I like memoirs. I like mysteries. Why not a combination of the two? I am a fan of Star Trek TNG and I heard Spiner interviewed a couple of times when this book was released. His chats with interviewers made it sound intriguing. I bit and put a hold on the book at the library.
Now I have issues with written humour. Sometimes I get it. This time I struggled with it. Plus I found it impossible to parse which parts were fact and which were fiction. Did Brent Spiner really have a stalker? Maybe, but I'm not sure. Spiner said in his interviews that he didn't care for traditional memoirs, but I actually do enjoy them. I would have been far more interested in a factual account by a guy who obviously has a lively intellect.
I had no idea that Spiner was also a comedian and singer, as well as an actor. However, I would never have known that from the text of this book either. It was in the note about the author. My disappointment lies in the fact that I really didn't learn very much about the man. The grand total of my new knowledge? He's Jewish, he had an abusive stepfather, he spent a long time as a working actor before Star Trek came along, he had to be convinced to attend a StarTrek convention, and his makeup for that role was truly awful. That could have been a pamphlet, rather than 256 pages.
Still, the author had obviously enjoyed noir detective fiction, with its distraught dames, shady characters, violent threats, and murky motives. He had a good time playing with those tropes, but he's no Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett.
Now I have issues with written humour. Sometimes I get it. This time I struggled with it. Plus I found it impossible to parse which parts were fact and which were fiction. Did Brent Spiner really have a stalker? Maybe, but I'm not sure. Spiner said in his interviews that he didn't care for traditional memoirs, but I actually do enjoy them. I would have been far more interested in a factual account by a guy who obviously has a lively intellect.
I had no idea that Spiner was also a comedian and singer, as well as an actor. However, I would never have known that from the text of this book either. It was in the note about the author. My disappointment lies in the fact that I really didn't learn very much about the man. The grand total of my new knowledge? He's Jewish, he had an abusive stepfather, he spent a long time as a working actor before Star Trek came along, he had to be convinced to attend a StarTrek convention, and his makeup for that role was truly awful. That could have been a pamphlet, rather than 256 pages.
Still, the author had obviously enjoyed noir detective fiction, with its distraught dames, shady characters, violent threats, and murky motives. He had a good time playing with those tropes, but he's no Raymond Chandler or Dashiell Hammett.
June 13, 2023
4.5 rating, but I have no issue with giving it a 5 star here because it was so enjoyable.
When I downloaded the ARC from edelweiss I had no idea of what I was getting into.
Here are the facts
1. I love Star Trek. When I was 13 I saw an episode where people were fighting because some people had half white/black faces and other people had half black/white faces. Star Trek is amazing and has made me a better and happier person.
2. I love fan fiction. Exploring the world of a fandom you love in so many different ways is wonderful.
3. I totally had a thing for Data.
Here is my conclusion
I can't wait to buy and read this book a second time. I read it for the first time for the above three reasons, but I want to read it a second time because it is a really good book. Brent Spiner (the fictional character) is my favorite type of unreliable narrator, a human who is just trying to observe the crazy world through a flawed human brain.
Bonus = early 90s nostalgia. Browsing through videos at the local rental place, pay phones, not being able to google people, etc.
I was not given anything in exchange for this poorly written review.
When I downloaded the ARC from edelweiss I had no idea of what I was getting into.
Here are the facts
1. I love Star Trek. When I was 13 I saw an episode where people were fighting because some people had half white/black faces and other people had half black/white faces. Star Trek is amazing and has made me a better and happier person.
2. I love fan fiction. Exploring the world of a fandom you love in so many different ways is wonderful.
3. I totally had a thing for Data.
Here is my conclusion
I can't wait to buy and read this book a second time. I read it for the first time for the above three reasons, but I want to read it a second time because it is a really good book. Brent Spiner (the fictional character) is my favorite type of unreliable narrator, a human who is just trying to observe the crazy world through a flawed human brain.
Bonus = early 90s nostalgia. Browsing through videos at the local rental place, pay phones, not being able to google people, etc.
I was not given anything in exchange for this poorly written review.
November 16, 2021
3 1/2 stars
This was a fast funny read, and had me wondering just how much of this stuff really happened. Data was also one of my favorite characters which inspired me to read the book in the first place. The scene in the cemetery was also very touching. I feel like the fans about how much Gene Roddenberry has meant to me since the mid 1960s.
Later...
This was a fast funny read, and had me wondering just how much of this stuff really happened. Data was also one of my favorite characters which inspired me to read the book in the first place. The scene in the cemetery was also very touching. I feel like the fans about how much Gene Roddenberry has meant to me since the mid 1960s.
“Johnny, try to be cool, but take a look behind you at the table in the corner.”
“Wow, I love Gregory Peck.”
“Yeah, me too. He’s one of my favorites. I think I should go over there and tell him how much he’s meant to me.”
“Don’t. He’s obviously enjoying a quiet dinner with his wife. Didn’t you just tell me to be cool?”
He’s right. But I can’t take my eyes off him. A couple of minutes later Peck excuses himself and disappears into the men’s room.
“Ooh, I drank too much coffee at work today,” I use as an excuse. “I’ll be right back.”
When I sidle up to the urinal next to Peck, he’s just shaking off the last few drops from his member and zipping up. I look over to him and the stupidest words possible come out of my grinning face.
“Nice shake,” I say, referring to the earthquake we just shared.
He obviously misinterprets my meaning, and a look of horror and disgust furrows his granite brow. Rapidly washing his hands, he rushes past me and out the door.
Later...
“Excuse me, Mr. Peck. I’m so sorry, but I feel it necessary to explain. In the men’s room when I said shake, I was talking about the earthquake, not your … your…” I say, gesturing at his fly.
“Young man,” he interrupts, “I’d like to have a nice private evening with my wife, if you don’t mind.”
“No, no, please, I totally understand. I’m an actor, too. It happens to me all the time!”
He narrows his eyes, gives me one last once-over, without the least glimmer of recognition, hops into his Jag, and speeds away.
August 14, 2021
When I was fourteen I decided it was time to give up my addiction and turn my life around.
I committed to giving up television.
I was a TV addict. I started with Romper Room and Howdy Doody and went on to the Mickey Mouse Club and Sky King and Lassie. By the time I was nine, Twilight Zone was my can’t miss show. I watched Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Man From Uncle. When I turned eleven I discovered classic movies on Bill Kennedy Showtime.
I needed an intervention. I gave up the sitcoms I watched with my little brother, with witches and genies and prison camps with inept Nazis. I gave up the late night movies with Mom. But one thing I did not give up was a new television show called Star Trek.
Yes, I am a Trekkie. I watched Star Trek with my mom. I watched all the subsequent Star Trek series, including the new ones on cable, and all the movies. My husband is a Trekkie. My son was raised a Trekkie. (Somewhere, stored in the basement is his Data figurine, along with the rest of the crew.)
How could I resist reading Fan Fiction by Brent Spiner, who played the android Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation? It is set in 1989 during the production of the series.
It is hilarious. It is an insider’s look at fame. It features the Star Trek actors. It’s a mystery.
I enjoy dipping into a book that is pure entertainment in between heavier reads. This one had me laughing constantly. What more could I ask for? We don’t know what is fact and what is fictionalized for zany comedy, but a few things struck me as honest.
About the cast of TNG, Spiner writes, “The long hours and repetitive work either forge lifelong mates or create bitter enemies.” Spiner makes it clear that the cast had great friendships.
The ordeal of turning “a Texas Jew into an android from Omicron Theta” involved lots of gold makeup that wrecked havoc on his skin and floated onto the contacts and obscured his vision.
“Most of my family has been a part of the [family] business,” he explains, but he “was much more attracted to being a starving actor and facing a daily wall of rejection.”
The novel is a humorous retelling of his early career and life on TNG, with the ‘noir’ of the ‘mem-noir’ being central to the plot. Spiner receives death threats from someone who calls herself his daughter Lal, based on one of the episodes where Data creates an android daughter. He enlists the help of Cindy Lou, a detective, and her twin sister Candy as his hired protection. This turns into a complicated romantic triangle. Suspects include a fan who believes is making racy calls to her.
After the killer is identified and Spiner’s life returns to normal, he concludes that the episode has made him a better person and a better actor. “I’ve come to understand so much about the fear that has dominated my life,” he writes, and he advises letting our fears go and to live your life. His step-father was harsh and punitive, the foundation of his fear. Then, the deranged fan mail from Lal sent him into isolation, anticipating threats everywhere he went.
It’s good advice. Sure, we are going to die and there are forces and people out there who threaten us. But living in fear is not really living.
I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
I committed to giving up television.
I was a TV addict. I started with Romper Room and Howdy Doody and went on to the Mickey Mouse Club and Sky King and Lassie. By the time I was nine, Twilight Zone was my can’t miss show. I watched Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Man From Uncle. When I turned eleven I discovered classic movies on Bill Kennedy Showtime.
I needed an intervention. I gave up the sitcoms I watched with my little brother, with witches and genies and prison camps with inept Nazis. I gave up the late night movies with Mom. But one thing I did not give up was a new television show called Star Trek.
Yes, I am a Trekkie. I watched Star Trek with my mom. I watched all the subsequent Star Trek series, including the new ones on cable, and all the movies. My husband is a Trekkie. My son was raised a Trekkie. (Somewhere, stored in the basement is his Data figurine, along with the rest of the crew.)
How could I resist reading Fan Fiction by Brent Spiner, who played the android Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation? It is set in 1989 during the production of the series.
It is hilarious. It is an insider’s look at fame. It features the Star Trek actors. It’s a mystery.
I enjoy dipping into a book that is pure entertainment in between heavier reads. This one had me laughing constantly. What more could I ask for? We don’t know what is fact and what is fictionalized for zany comedy, but a few things struck me as honest.
About the cast of TNG, Spiner writes, “The long hours and repetitive work either forge lifelong mates or create bitter enemies.” Spiner makes it clear that the cast had great friendships.
The ordeal of turning “a Texas Jew into an android from Omicron Theta” involved lots of gold makeup that wrecked havoc on his skin and floated onto the contacts and obscured his vision.
“Most of my family has been a part of the [family] business,” he explains, but he “was much more attracted to being a starving actor and facing a daily wall of rejection.”
The novel is a humorous retelling of his early career and life on TNG, with the ‘noir’ of the ‘mem-noir’ being central to the plot. Spiner receives death threats from someone who calls herself his daughter Lal, based on one of the episodes where Data creates an android daughter. He enlists the help of Cindy Lou, a detective, and her twin sister Candy as his hired protection. This turns into a complicated romantic triangle. Suspects include a fan who believes is making racy calls to her.
After the killer is identified and Spiner’s life returns to normal, he concludes that the episode has made him a better person and a better actor. “I’ve come to understand so much about the fear that has dominated my life,” he writes, and he advises letting our fears go and to live your life. His step-father was harsh and punitive, the foundation of his fear. Then, the deranged fan mail from Lal sent him into isolation, anticipating threats everywhere he went.
It’s good advice. Sure, we are going to die and there are forces and people out there who threaten us. But living in fear is not really living.
I received a free egalley from the publisher through NetGalley. My review is fair and unbiased.
November 5, 2023
I got this for my wife for her birthday in 2021. She recently started listening to the audio book in the car so I figure I'd better read it before she spoils all the good bits.
This is a darkly humorous mystery starring Brent Spiner as himself. Spine gets a severed pig penis in the mail from a deranged stalker fan and things spiral from there. Spiner has a dark, self-deprecating sense of humor so it's a very hard book to put down once you get into it.
The mystery itself isn't quite solveable but it's a mystery starring the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1991 so the mystery isn't the main attraction anyway. I have to wonder which bits of the book are autobiographical, though. Spiner's relationship with his abusive stepfather and early acting days in New York seem a little too real to be made up.
I had a lot of fun reading Fan Fiction and I'd read another book featuring Brent Spiner as himself. Four out of five stars.
This is a darkly humorous mystery starring Brent Spiner as himself. Spine gets a severed pig penis in the mail from a deranged stalker fan and things spiral from there. Spiner has a dark, self-deprecating sense of humor so it's a very hard book to put down once you get into it.
The mystery itself isn't quite solveable but it's a mystery starring the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1991 so the mystery isn't the main attraction anyway. I have to wonder which bits of the book are autobiographical, though. Spiner's relationship with his abusive stepfather and early acting days in New York seem a little too real to be made up.
I had a lot of fun reading Fan Fiction and I'd read another book featuring Brent Spiner as himself. Four out of five stars.
July 17, 2021
When I first saw that Brent Spiner wrote a book, I wondered how good it would be. I always enjoyed him as Data on Star Trek TNG and loved his appearances as "Bob Wheeler" on Night Court, so I knew him to be a talented thespian and singer. And as it turns out, he is a masterful writer as well. He dubs Fan Fiction as "A Mem-Noir" and may have created a whole new genre of memoir told in noir style. In the book, Spiner adroitly spins a hilarious tale, nailing the whole self-effacing shtick in regaling the reader with details of his life while weaving in an account of a crazed Star Trek fan who threatens his safety.
Taking place in TNG's glory days, Fan Fiction is set in 1991. When a strange package shows up at Spiner's trailer on the studio lot it sets in motion a series of further letters from a fan who apparently takes this whole Data thing a little too seriously. In trying to deal with this hostile situation, Spiner not only includes fellow TNG cast members but also encounters not-so-helpful members of the LAPD, and potential love interests in the form of a FBI agent and a body guard. This cast of characters follows him through a harrowing journey as Spiner tries to just be himself and deal with the usual Hollywood problems while not getting murdered for it.
This story plays out exactly like the cheesier mystery/thriller movies of that time period, only with brilliant comedic timing thrown into every scene. You know that an author has hit the right spot when you constantly lose your place reading because you're laughing so hard, and not a chapter goes by without at least one of these moments. I don't know if it's possible to have further whacky adventures of 1990s Brent Spiner, but I would happily read more books if there are. This was one of the best books I've read this year and the funniest I've read in ages.
Taking place in TNG's glory days, Fan Fiction is set in 1991. When a strange package shows up at Spiner's trailer on the studio lot it sets in motion a series of further letters from a fan who apparently takes this whole Data thing a little too seriously. In trying to deal with this hostile situation, Spiner not only includes fellow TNG cast members but also encounters not-so-helpful members of the LAPD, and potential love interests in the form of a FBI agent and a body guard. This cast of characters follows him through a harrowing journey as Spiner tries to just be himself and deal with the usual Hollywood problems while not getting murdered for it.
This story plays out exactly like the cheesier mystery/thriller movies of that time period, only with brilliant comedic timing thrown into every scene. You know that an author has hit the right spot when you constantly lose your place reading because you're laughing so hard, and not a chapter goes by without at least one of these moments. I don't know if it's possible to have further whacky adventures of 1990s Brent Spiner, but I would happily read more books if there are. This was one of the best books I've read this year and the funniest I've read in ages.
July 14, 2021
I’m not a Trekkie. I do have a fine appreciation of Star Trek, though, and so I’ve seen a lot of the movies and somehow a bunch of STTNG or Star Trek The Next generation for the uninitiated and Data has always been my favorite character. There’s just something about that golden android that has always spoken to the on the spectrum aspects of my psyche.
And of course, it’s impossible to separate Brent Spiner from his most famous character. Funny how that works, the man is now pushing seventy and has been acting for decades, TNG was only on for seven years or so and yet to me and I’m sure millions of others he will always just be Data. It’s a signature role and (pun intended) a pure gold as far as those go.
And so how awesome is it that Spiner wrote a book and it’s just as much of a delight, albeit a tonally and otherwise different one, from his most iconic role. Don’t know what kind of a book data would write, but Spiner stuck with the good ole’ write what you know and produced this MemNoir (how cute is that) of autobiography mixed in with thriller elements from his years on Start Trek. Because truth is subversive under the best of circumstances and fan fiction takes that and subverts it even further by its nature, you can technically take this pretty far. And Spiner does. Outlandishly, outrageously so. Casting himself as a victim of a mysterious obsessive fan who ends up with two gorgeous female twin protectors (indistinguishable but for their coiffure).
There are, of course, all sorts of other shenanigans, including hilariously rendered real life cast of the show. It’s a proper treasure trove of a book for Trekkie, but it’s also an absolute highhearted comedic delight for all other readers. It’s a quick, cute and charming read that cleverly interweaved facts and fiction until you’re not quite what’s what and find it no longer matters because you’re having so much fun with it.
Randomly…turns out Data’s back on Star Trek Picard. I didn’t even know that. Guess with enough golden pancake make up you can get something like tv immortality. Excellent. Data lives on. And not just in the memories of fan and in syndication, but live (as it were) for the next generation in real life. Awesomeness. (Quick wikipedia search later). Oh, no, never mind. Somehow I forgot some crucial things about Data from the movies. Guess I'm really not at all a trekkie.
So yeah, whatever your thoughts (but they should be all positive, really) on androids, this charming take on the high cost of fame is sure to delight and entertain. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
And of course, it’s impossible to separate Brent Spiner from his most famous character. Funny how that works, the man is now pushing seventy and has been acting for decades, TNG was only on for seven years or so and yet to me and I’m sure millions of others he will always just be Data. It’s a signature role and (pun intended) a pure gold as far as those go.
And so how awesome is it that Spiner wrote a book and it’s just as much of a delight, albeit a tonally and otherwise different one, from his most iconic role. Don’t know what kind of a book data would write, but Spiner stuck with the good ole’ write what you know and produced this MemNoir (how cute is that) of autobiography mixed in with thriller elements from his years on Start Trek. Because truth is subversive under the best of circumstances and fan fiction takes that and subverts it even further by its nature, you can technically take this pretty far. And Spiner does. Outlandishly, outrageously so. Casting himself as a victim of a mysterious obsessive fan who ends up with two gorgeous female twin protectors (indistinguishable but for their coiffure).
There are, of course, all sorts of other shenanigans, including hilariously rendered real life cast of the show. It’s a proper treasure trove of a book for Trekkie, but it’s also an absolute highhearted comedic delight for all other readers. It’s a quick, cute and charming read that cleverly interweaved facts and fiction until you’re not quite what’s what and find it no longer matters because you’re having so much fun with it.
Randomly…turns out Data’s back on Star Trek Picard. I didn’t even know that. Guess with enough golden pancake make up you can get something like tv immortality. Excellent. Data lives on. And not just in the memories of fan and in syndication, but live (as it were) for the next generation in real life. Awesomeness. (Quick wikipedia search later). Oh, no, never mind. Somehow I forgot some crucial things about Data from the movies. Guess I'm really not at all a trekkie.
So yeah, whatever your thoughts (but they should be all positive, really) on androids, this charming take on the high cost of fame is sure to delight and entertain. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
July 29, 2021
I'm aware that this book is fanfiction. I am aware that this book is 99% fabricated, based on Brent Spiner's life and an event (and events) that may have happened to him.
I'm also aware what fanfiction is. ... and let me tell you, this is fanfiction I would never read.
It's unfunny, boring, and most of all, has some weird bits in it that derail the story and make no sense.
You have this tale about a fan sending Brent Spiner a pig's penis and him freaking out over the crazy letters he is getting by a woman who is identifying himself as his daughter from an episode of Star Trek. (If you recall the episode of Star Trek where Data makes a daughter who dies.) So cue him spending the book trying to figure out the identity of this fan and the crazy letters that keep coming.
Brent Spiner's tale is one that is immersed with tales about his life growing up with his difficult/abusive step-dad, and I don't know if he wrote this book to exorcise those demons? But memories appear in dreams he has about incidents from his childhood that really don't pertain to the incident that may or may not have happened. There is also two women, twin sisters, who work for the authorities that he ends up having a relationship with. (Brent Spiner really likes to make himself this guy who fucks a lot.)
Anyway, the book wrapped up and the 'stalker' was something that one would guess at and the reveal was boring as the story itself.
I just didn't care and this story ain't worth the money that one would spend. Rent/borrow if curious, but if you want to read it ... that's your 20.00.
I'm also aware what fanfiction is. ... and let me tell you, this is fanfiction I would never read.
It's unfunny, boring, and most of all, has some weird bits in it that derail the story and make no sense.
You have this tale about a fan sending Brent Spiner a pig's penis and him freaking out over the crazy letters he is getting by a woman who is identifying himself as his daughter from an episode of Star Trek. (If you recall the episode of Star Trek where Data makes a daughter who dies.) So cue him spending the book trying to figure out the identity of this fan and the crazy letters that keep coming.
Brent Spiner's tale is one that is immersed with tales about his life growing up with his difficult/abusive step-dad, and I don't know if he wrote this book to exorcise those demons? But memories appear in dreams he has about incidents from his childhood that really don't pertain to the incident that may or may not have happened. There is also two women, twin sisters, who work for the authorities that he ends up having a relationship with. (Brent Spiner really likes to make himself this guy who fucks a lot.)
Anyway, the book wrapped up and the 'stalker' was something that one would guess at and the reveal was boring as the story itself.
I just didn't care and this story ain't worth the money that one would spend. Rent/borrow if curious, but if you want to read it ... that's your 20.00.
Want to read
September 6, 2021This is a truly unique title that’s unlike anything I’ve ever read. It will be book porn to trekkies everywhere but there’s a lot for more general audiences to like.
Brent Spiner, Data from Star Trek the Next Generation creates this largely inspired by real life tale of fiction about super fans gone too far.
The plot is a huge draw as the crazy twists and turns seem like they have to be imagined but at the same time you just know some of this happened.
There are two major drawbacks to this that occasionally leave you off kilter but don’t ruin the story.
First, considering Brent Spiner was Data, a lot of people have a very defined interpretation of him. His real life persona serving as narrator seems very much at odds with his show persona and that creates some weird dissonance that in some ways isn’t Spiner’s fault, but still feels off.
Lastly, sometimes you aren’t really sure if this is fiction or nonfiction and the narration mirrors that. As a fiction it could have pushed even a little further into the absurd in order to really sell it as fiction.
A very solid 4 out of 5 and a strong recommendation
Brent Spiner, Data from Star Trek the Next Generation creates this largely inspired by real life tale of fiction about super fans gone too far.
The plot is a huge draw as the crazy twists and turns seem like they have to be imagined but at the same time you just know some of this happened.
There are two major drawbacks to this that occasionally leave you off kilter but don’t ruin the story.
First, considering Brent Spiner was Data, a lot of people have a very defined interpretation of him. His real life persona serving as narrator seems very much at odds with his show persona and that creates some weird dissonance that in some ways isn’t Spiner’s fault, but still feels off.
Lastly, sometimes you aren’t really sure if this is fiction or nonfiction and the narration mirrors that. As a fiction it could have pushed even a little further into the absurd in order to really sell it as fiction.
A very solid 4 out of 5 and a strong recommendation
August 12, 2021
I have a confession to make- I am an avid fan fiction reader. Thats why when I saw the title of this book I knew I had to read it. The book reads as a biography of sorts about the actor/author Brent Spiner, who starred in Star Trek next gen in the 90s. I didn’t have a problem reading this book initially, the writing was good and first person POV was interesting, but as I continued I came to heavily dislike this book. I really only finished it so I could write an informed review.
First off I want to establish that this is not about fanfiction, it is fanfiction. Attaching itself to a fandom and creating an alternate reality out of a set of prexisting characters is the literal definition of fanfiction! Also there was only one sentence that even referred to fanfiction- a line mid book where Brent remarked that being terrorized by some fan was something out of a fanfic. No Brent, it really isn’t. It’s just ironic that this story is meant to be seen as some result of fanfiction, when its actually Spiners fictionalized more interesting version of his own life.
His fictional world also contains the added appeal of sexy twins, FBI agent Cindy Lou and bodyguard Candy Lou Jones who were tasked with protecting him from this crazed stalker. Both of whom suddenly are attracted to him sexually. These supposed professionals wear slinky robes, say things like "don't worry baby...I won't let anything happen to you," and suddenly sleep with a client without a single thought about being a professional. It was really gross. The way Spiner wrote women was the other major problem I had with this book. All of the women were portrayed as as cheap sluts, obsessed with Brent, or both. The few exceptions were real people who were added as footnotes, and who’s only purpose to pat Brent on the back as he was being stalked by some nut bar who we knew practically nothing about until the 2 last chapters. This entire book reads as some sort of wish fulfillment that was badly thought out and so clearly unrealistic at certain parts. Perhaps I’m not the intended audience but this book was really horrible in my opinion. Change the name to something thats actually relevant to the book.
First off I want to establish that this is not about fanfiction, it is fanfiction. Attaching itself to a fandom and creating an alternate reality out of a set of prexisting characters is the literal definition of fanfiction! Also there was only one sentence that even referred to fanfiction- a line mid book where Brent remarked that being terrorized by some fan was something out of a fanfic. No Brent, it really isn’t. It’s just ironic that this story is meant to be seen as some result of fanfiction, when its actually Spiners fictionalized more interesting version of his own life.
His fictional world also contains the added appeal of sexy twins, FBI agent Cindy Lou and bodyguard Candy Lou Jones who were tasked with protecting him from this crazed stalker. Both of whom suddenly are attracted to him sexually. These supposed professionals wear slinky robes, say things like "don't worry baby...I won't let anything happen to you," and suddenly sleep with a client without a single thought about being a professional. It was really gross. The way Spiner wrote women was the other major problem I had with this book. All of the women were portrayed as as cheap sluts, obsessed with Brent, or both. The few exceptions were real people who were added as footnotes, and who’s only purpose to pat Brent on the back as he was being stalked by some nut bar who we knew practically nothing about until the 2 last chapters. This entire book reads as some sort of wish fulfillment that was badly thought out and so clearly unrealistic at certain parts. Perhaps I’m not the intended audience but this book was really horrible in my opinion. Change the name to something thats actually relevant to the book.
October 12, 2021
This book is... crazy, weird, wild, strange, but above all it's a lot of fun. I got the feeling there were a few stories in here that really happened and Brent wanted to tell, but he didn't want to waste time with an actual memoir. So he wrote a crazy stalker story and peppered the rest in. A literary cousin to Galaxy Quest, a glimpse behind-the-scenes of a show that actually exists. Definitely worth a read if you're a fan of Spiner or Star Trek. A disappointing lack of Night Court references, but no book is perfect.
EDIT: Available now! And if you want an improvement on an already good book, the audio version is narrated by Brent, with dialogue provided by Gates McFadden, Genie Francis, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Marina Sirtis, Michael Dorn, and Patrick Stewart. Sooooo... yeah. If I could bump it up a star just for the audio version, I would.
EDIT: Available now! And if you want an improvement on an already good book, the audio version is narrated by Brent, with dialogue provided by Gates McFadden, Genie Francis, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Marina Sirtis, Michael Dorn, and Patrick Stewart. Sooooo... yeah. If I could bump it up a star just for the audio version, I would.
April 22, 2021
1) What the heck was that?
2) Omgosh, what fun!
2) Omgosh, what fun!
July 12, 2021
I enjoyed this so much! After I stopped "nerding out" over the fact that I was reading Brent Spiner's book,(who am I kidding? I was fan girling the entire time!) I really loved reading the stories and anecdotes of his rise to fame. I learned new things about him, too. Which was great, because I'm a serious fan. (I've even got a LT. Data action figure on my desk!) This is a definite must read for any sci-fi fan!
January 27, 2022
Completely hokey but he basically tells you that going in. Enjoyed it! Listened to audio as the whole cast of TNG narrate their own parts.
October 6, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced audiobook for review! This was...not at all what I expected, but four stars worth of hugely entertaining STUFF.
WHEW if you dove into this thinking it was about fanfic, you made a mistake. It's okay, I did too. It is...wild fiction ABOUT maybe-fictional fans? If you wrote fanfic of your own life? It's hard to tell where the fiction begins and reality ends, since you know fans get wild over celebs.
I admit - I didn't know the author. I saw in the description on Netgalley that many famous people make an appearance in this; I assumed it was maybe an anthology of like, personal essays on experiences with fans or something. Or about fanfiction within the Trekkie fandom - as I soon realized the author was an actor in those (I didn't watch them, please react in horror accordingly). So I started listening not knowing what to expect at all, and was very soon confused as heck.
Gradually the narrative emerges; Brent but not-quite Brent is in L.A. in 1991, with a stalker who is sending fan mail that grows wilder with each postage. I'm not sure what else to say - this earns a shining spot on my indescribable reads shelf. Not-Brent's bumbling antics were hilarious, and I enjoyed the other Trek cast members appearing like NPCs in a video game, voicing themselves even. All in all, a solid, entertaining listen.
WHEW if you dove into this thinking it was about fanfic, you made a mistake. It's okay, I did too. It is...wild fiction ABOUT maybe-fictional fans? If you wrote fanfic of your own life? It's hard to tell where the fiction begins and reality ends, since you know fans get wild over celebs.
I admit - I didn't know the author. I saw in the description on Netgalley that many famous people make an appearance in this; I assumed it was maybe an anthology of like, personal essays on experiences with fans or something. Or about fanfiction within the Trekkie fandom - as I soon realized the author was an actor in those (I didn't watch them, please react in horror accordingly). So I started listening not knowing what to expect at all, and was very soon confused as heck.
Gradually the narrative emerges; Brent but not-quite Brent is in L.A. in 1991, with a stalker who is sending fan mail that grows wilder with each postage. I'm not sure what else to say - this earns a shining spot on my indescribable reads shelf. Not-Brent's bumbling antics were hilarious, and I enjoyed the other Trek cast members appearing like NPCs in a video game, voicing themselves even. All in all, a solid, entertaining listen.
June 30, 2023
Not at all what I expected as I expected it to be a lot safer than it turned out, but then I should have expected some of the causticness as I've seen Spiner's series "Fresh Hell" - which is like Curb your Enthusiasm but with Spinter - where he relentlessly takes the micky out of himself and delves deeply into his feelings of inadequacy... so I've no idea why I went into Fan Fiction with the idea that the intent was going to be lovely - in the way that I perceive Data to be, when Spiner himself is a completely different kettle of fish. This does end up being a lot of fun for TNG fans, it makes for a very unusual memoir, I don't think it even matters which bits are true and which bits aren't, as for some reason, even the pig dick gross-out stuff, feels as if it has a grain of truth through its metamorphosis onto page.
October 3, 2023
This was so much fun!
October 5, 2021
He had me at pig penis.
You didn’t expect a book by Brent Spiner to have a typical start, did you? Especially when the book is based on the relationship between a celebrity and his fans.
Spiner provides a brief autobiography in the prologue. He then introduces his mem-noir by making it clear that he is presenting a fictional version of his life and those people with whom he interacts. He’s putting the reader into a parallel universe, where the events in his story could happen. Instead of presenting one scenario, he combines multiple encounters to shine the light on some of the lengths people will use a celebrity they barely know and turn that celebrity into a key focal point of their lives.
Fans who send strange gifts, such as a pig penis. Fans who lash out if they do not get their desired response from a celebrity. Fans who fulfill fantasies by inserting their version of a celebrity into their lives. Fans who want their moments at a celebrity convention to be significant. Fans who turn into predators and believe that if they can’t have that celebrity then no one can.
It’s not just the fans. People are so focused on what a celebrity could do for them that they neglect their jobs and responsibilities. They want a leg up in the industry, either in front of the camera or behind the scenes. Spiner plays up the trope about everyone wanting to sell a screenplay when one he rejects ends up on a hilarious journey of its own.
I enjoyed meeting the characterizations of his fellow actors. It’s more personal to put names to faces instead of using generic characters as stand-ins. Spiner did not present full personification but honed in on a few traits that fit into the story. I could picture them in my head, and their interactions felt credible from my point of view as a fan.
Are you looking for a fun read? Do you enjoy science fiction? Are you a superfan of a show and/or a celebrity? Do you envision a personal relationship with your favorite actor or character? You would enjoy reading this book.
You didn’t expect a book by Brent Spiner to have a typical start, did you? Especially when the book is based on the relationship between a celebrity and his fans.
Spiner provides a brief autobiography in the prologue. He then introduces his mem-noir by making it clear that he is presenting a fictional version of his life and those people with whom he interacts. He’s putting the reader into a parallel universe, where the events in his story could happen. Instead of presenting one scenario, he combines multiple encounters to shine the light on some of the lengths people will use a celebrity they barely know and turn that celebrity into a key focal point of their lives.
Fans who send strange gifts, such as a pig penis. Fans who lash out if they do not get their desired response from a celebrity. Fans who fulfill fantasies by inserting their version of a celebrity into their lives. Fans who want their moments at a celebrity convention to be significant. Fans who turn into predators and believe that if they can’t have that celebrity then no one can.
It’s not just the fans. People are so focused on what a celebrity could do for them that they neglect their jobs and responsibilities. They want a leg up in the industry, either in front of the camera or behind the scenes. Spiner plays up the trope about everyone wanting to sell a screenplay when one he rejects ends up on a hilarious journey of its own.
I enjoyed meeting the characterizations of his fellow actors. It’s more personal to put names to faces instead of using generic characters as stand-ins. Spiner did not present full personification but honed in on a few traits that fit into the story. I could picture them in my head, and their interactions felt credible from my point of view as a fan.
Are you looking for a fun read? Do you enjoy science fiction? Are you a superfan of a show and/or a celebrity? Do you envision a personal relationship with your favorite actor or character? You would enjoy reading this book.
December 6, 2021
I laughed aloud several times listening to this. It’s a weird mix of reality and fiction, taking “write what you know” to the extreme. Basically Spiner takes some of the weirder fan mail he’s received and concocts a Chandler-esque noir tale full of sex, drugs and Star Trek. It’s wildly entertaining.
Spiner expertly performs the tale, doing a masterful job. It also has actors playing the roles of the various other characters, such as FBI agent Cindy Lou Jones and her twin sister, professional bodyguard Candy Lou Jones, both of whom are attracted to Spiner. (Yet are somehow never in the room at the same time, even when he’s speaking to one on the phone and the other is in the house with him. Hmm…) Also making appearances are his fellow Next Generation cast mates, who are likewise enormously entertaining. Extra shout-out to LeVar Burton as the far-out hippie version of himself.
The entire plot hinges on a deranged fan thinking they’re Lal, the android “daughter” that Data builds in the episode “The Offspring”, and this person sends death threats to Spiner, causing him to spiral into paranoia. Amusingly, every single person he meets is familiar with the episode, and most can quote it to him verbatim. Personally I find it dull and have never rewatched it, but it’s hilarious that the LAPD detective, pizza delivery guy, video store clerk, Presbyterian minister, and a half-dozen other people immediately bring it up. Solid running gag.
Spiner expertly performs the tale, doing a masterful job. It also has actors playing the roles of the various other characters, such as FBI agent Cindy Lou Jones and her twin sister, professional bodyguard Candy Lou Jones, both of whom are attracted to Spiner. (Yet are somehow never in the room at the same time, even when he’s speaking to one on the phone and the other is in the house with him. Hmm…) Also making appearances are his fellow Next Generation cast mates, who are likewise enormously entertaining. Extra shout-out to LeVar Burton as the far-out hippie version of himself.
The entire plot hinges on a deranged fan thinking they’re Lal, the android “daughter” that Data builds in the episode “The Offspring”, and this person sends death threats to Spiner, causing him to spiral into paranoia. Amusingly, every single person he meets is familiar with the episode, and most can quote it to him verbatim. Personally I find it dull and have never rewatched it, but it’s hilarious that the LAPD detective, pizza delivery guy, video store clerk, Presbyterian minister, and a half-dozen other people immediately bring it up. Solid running gag.
October 18, 2021
The name Brent Spiner might not be immediately recognizable, but odds are you have seen him at some point. Whether it was some of his great character actor work in films like Independence Day or his role as the Android Lt. Data on the hit TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation, which he starred on for eight seasons. You don’t have to be a Star Trek fan to know Data as the show’s popularity made the cast part of popular culture for decades in first-run and re-run episodes.
What you probably never realized is the personal ordeal Spiner fictionalizes about his time on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Cult series like Star Trek have produced oodles of fans and ‘Trekkers’ since the original show debuted in the sixties. However, the situation Spiner went through definitely blurred the line between fan and fanatic and in his mind has created a new literary genre in the process --- the Mem-Noir. With his book FAN FICTION, Spiner takes you through the sometimes laughable but more often chilling situation with a fan who took things dangerously too far.
Fans of Star Trek: TNG may recall the episode entitled “The Offspring” where we meet Lal, the daughter of Data. This was a big moment as prior to that there had not been any synthetic/android people who had actual offspring. Imagine the concern and fear felt by Brent Spiner when he started receiving correspondence from someone claiming to be Lal. At times it is easy to forget that this is actually a work of fiction as the events described anyone could easily imagine taking place. Spiner writes: ‘Everything I have written thus far is absolutely true. But the story I’m about to tell is not. In fact, having written the book and read it a few times, I’m not sure if any of it really happened. Maybe in a parallel universe?’
That juicy tidbit alone is enough to appeal to the sci-fi and alternate reality fans out there. The fact that it is a work of fiction in no way demeans the story or makes it any less gripping or believable. Brent muses that the second worst part of his job is wearing makeup and the worst is taking it off. It is while he is undergoing his transformation from Data back into Brent Spiner that he is delivered the first of a series of packages/letters from an overzealous fan. It comes in a box that has the word DEAD written on the underside of the lid and inside a note from Lal that accuses him of forsaking her. The language in each successive letter will get increasingly creepy as well as an increase in the amount of blood smeared on each one.
Brent decides to call the authorities and is forwarded to a Detective Ortiz who heads a team called the Obsessives. I guess in Hollywood, there is a need for such a Department. In addition, he follows the advice of law enforcement and engages a personal bodyguard --- in this case two of them, twin sisters Cindy Lou and Candy Lou Jones. He shares with them some additional letters he has begun receiving from a woman named Loretta Gibson in which she sounds overly familiar with Brent and admits she is a married, Catholic homemaker. The letters from Gibson begin to get more intense, especially when she finishes one with the thought: ‘I just wish my husband was dead.’ Spiner is getting a crash course of what it means to be a fixture on a popular sci-fi show and just how fanatical some of his fandom can get.
As Brent was preparing to attend the San Diego Comic Con, he gets a Lal message that indicates she would gladly kill Marina in his place if she cannot get to him. That was a reference to his co-star, Marina Sirtis, who was also scheduled to attend Comic Con. Brent still goes but has his bodyguard right by his side the entire time. Throughout the novel, Brent Spiner sprinkles in various stories and anecdotes that devoted fans will just eat up. One story in particular involved the late Dr. Oliver Sacks making his way to the set of Star Trek: TNG specifically to meet with Spiner. Sacks was spending time at another soundstage where they were making a film version of his book Awakenings which dealt with the subject of catatonia. Brent was overwhelmed to learn that many of the patients Sacks works with that suffer from Asperger’s and other forms of autism see Data as their champion --- a poster boy for all his work. Quite an honor indeed.
At the end of Sacks visit Detective Ortiz enters and the two of them strike up a conversation. Spiner thinks that if Rod Serling were to enter his trailer at that moment and do an intro to The Twilight Zone it wouldn’t faze him a bit! The surreal express continues for Brent when he receives a threatening letter from none other than the husband of Loretta Gibson who accuses him of perpetrating an affair with his wife! Brent slowly starts to sink into deep paranoia to the point where he actually accuses Cindy Lou and Candy Lou of being the same person and that they were trying to drive him crazy. It would take a phone call to Cindy Lou while Candy Lou was standing in front of him to finally convince him of their confirmed twinhood.
Another very funny bit is when Brent confronts Ken, his mailman, with thoughts that he could be the mysterious Lal. He tries to laugh things off by telling Ken: ‘Have you ever seen a half-naked man with a baseball bat?’ only to have Ken quickly respond: ‘Only in my dreams, Mr. Spiner, only in my dreams.’ My favorite story in FAN FICTION takes place when Brent decides to see his cast-mate Patrick Stewart perform in his one-man show of Charles Dickens A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Of course, his bodyguard goes with him as Brent was attending the performance alone. The performance is brought to a halt when the bodyguard jumps up and trains her gun on a woman who was sitting behind Brent and leaned into him indicating she was Lal. Brent has to prove to his bodyguard that it was indeed the actual Lal, actor Hallie Todd who played her on the show.
FAN FICTION does not leave you hanging and actually confirms the identity behind the Lal letters. This is one of those works where seeing a solution was not necessarily as important as it was just enjoying the ride that this novel provided. There is a very thin line in the world we live between fans, fandom, and the subjects of their affection. As Brent so succinctly puts it --- where would we be without the fans?
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
What you probably never realized is the personal ordeal Spiner fictionalizes about his time on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Cult series like Star Trek have produced oodles of fans and ‘Trekkers’ since the original show debuted in the sixties. However, the situation Spiner went through definitely blurred the line between fan and fanatic and in his mind has created a new literary genre in the process --- the Mem-Noir. With his book FAN FICTION, Spiner takes you through the sometimes laughable but more often chilling situation with a fan who took things dangerously too far.
Fans of Star Trek: TNG may recall the episode entitled “The Offspring” where we meet Lal, the daughter of Data. This was a big moment as prior to that there had not been any synthetic/android people who had actual offspring. Imagine the concern and fear felt by Brent Spiner when he started receiving correspondence from someone claiming to be Lal. At times it is easy to forget that this is actually a work of fiction as the events described anyone could easily imagine taking place. Spiner writes: ‘Everything I have written thus far is absolutely true. But the story I’m about to tell is not. In fact, having written the book and read it a few times, I’m not sure if any of it really happened. Maybe in a parallel universe?’
That juicy tidbit alone is enough to appeal to the sci-fi and alternate reality fans out there. The fact that it is a work of fiction in no way demeans the story or makes it any less gripping or believable. Brent muses that the second worst part of his job is wearing makeup and the worst is taking it off. It is while he is undergoing his transformation from Data back into Brent Spiner that he is delivered the first of a series of packages/letters from an overzealous fan. It comes in a box that has the word DEAD written on the underside of the lid and inside a note from Lal that accuses him of forsaking her. The language in each successive letter will get increasingly creepy as well as an increase in the amount of blood smeared on each one.
Brent decides to call the authorities and is forwarded to a Detective Ortiz who heads a team called the Obsessives. I guess in Hollywood, there is a need for such a Department. In addition, he follows the advice of law enforcement and engages a personal bodyguard --- in this case two of them, twin sisters Cindy Lou and Candy Lou Jones. He shares with them some additional letters he has begun receiving from a woman named Loretta Gibson in which she sounds overly familiar with Brent and admits she is a married, Catholic homemaker. The letters from Gibson begin to get more intense, especially when she finishes one with the thought: ‘I just wish my husband was dead.’ Spiner is getting a crash course of what it means to be a fixture on a popular sci-fi show and just how fanatical some of his fandom can get.
As Brent was preparing to attend the San Diego Comic Con, he gets a Lal message that indicates she would gladly kill Marina in his place if she cannot get to him. That was a reference to his co-star, Marina Sirtis, who was also scheduled to attend Comic Con. Brent still goes but has his bodyguard right by his side the entire time. Throughout the novel, Brent Spiner sprinkles in various stories and anecdotes that devoted fans will just eat up. One story in particular involved the late Dr. Oliver Sacks making his way to the set of Star Trek: TNG specifically to meet with Spiner. Sacks was spending time at another soundstage where they were making a film version of his book Awakenings which dealt with the subject of catatonia. Brent was overwhelmed to learn that many of the patients Sacks works with that suffer from Asperger’s and other forms of autism see Data as their champion --- a poster boy for all his work. Quite an honor indeed.
At the end of Sacks visit Detective Ortiz enters and the two of them strike up a conversation. Spiner thinks that if Rod Serling were to enter his trailer at that moment and do an intro to The Twilight Zone it wouldn’t faze him a bit! The surreal express continues for Brent when he receives a threatening letter from none other than the husband of Loretta Gibson who accuses him of perpetrating an affair with his wife! Brent slowly starts to sink into deep paranoia to the point where he actually accuses Cindy Lou and Candy Lou of being the same person and that they were trying to drive him crazy. It would take a phone call to Cindy Lou while Candy Lou was standing in front of him to finally convince him of their confirmed twinhood.
Another very funny bit is when Brent confronts Ken, his mailman, with thoughts that he could be the mysterious Lal. He tries to laugh things off by telling Ken: ‘Have you ever seen a half-naked man with a baseball bat?’ only to have Ken quickly respond: ‘Only in my dreams, Mr. Spiner, only in my dreams.’ My favorite story in FAN FICTION takes place when Brent decides to see his cast-mate Patrick Stewart perform in his one-man show of Charles Dickens A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Of course, his bodyguard goes with him as Brent was attending the performance alone. The performance is brought to a halt when the bodyguard jumps up and trains her gun on a woman who was sitting behind Brent and leaned into him indicating she was Lal. Brent has to prove to his bodyguard that it was indeed the actual Lal, actor Hallie Todd who played her on the show.
FAN FICTION does not leave you hanging and actually confirms the identity behind the Lal letters. This is one of those works where seeing a solution was not necessarily as important as it was just enjoying the ride that this novel provided. There is a very thin line in the world we live between fans, fandom, and the subjects of their affection. As Brent so succinctly puts it --- where would we be without the fans?
Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter
January 24, 2022
This is one of those books that bills itself as being funny but is merely fun. Which in itself is an accomplishment. Brent Spiner, an actor who at one point in time had illusions of being a great thespian, is identified almost solely for his role as Data, an android of limited emotional range. Though not my favorite Star Trek Next Generation character, that would be Worf, he resonated with large swaths of the fanbase. Spiner, is astute enough to realize that tying in this beloved character with a storyline would be his best choice. He incorporates the role of Data with an often batshit plot involving a deranged fan, twin sisters who work in law enforcement and various mutilations.
One of the main things that struck me about this book was the utter horniness of Brent Spiner. Maybe, playing against type as Data is basically an asexual being (minus that early episode where he is a glorified sex doll for Tasha Yar), Spiner is typically talking about trying to score. While, in small doses this can be endearing, if I never have to think about Spiner's sexual peccadillos or prowess again I would consider me lucky. One of the main plotlines is Spiner's budding romance/s with the twin sisters who are gorgeous and full of vinegar. Their names are Candy and Cindy.
Another thing of note is the interaction amongst his acting brethren. Despite being fiction, I gained a greater appreciation for all of his costars, especially Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden and LeVar Burton. Frakes's ability to be charming and helpful was noteworthy. He and his wife harbored Brent during some of his most trying times. Gates seems really nice and helpful and LeVar seems to be full of unique advice.
The most intriguing moment is in the description of the severed pig penis that is sent via postal service to Brent's fan mail. This incident is what sparks the call to an FBI agent and leads to the events that fuel this story. The pig penis represents the pluses and minuses of this story. On the one hand, the idea of someone receiving a pig penis is quite humorous if not ridiculous. Why a pig? It also is quite limiting as a device. Once the initial shock is over, why would a pig penis lead to alarm. Not saying I advocate for someone to either send or receive one but I would not turn it into a federal issue.
This book seemed very fun and even cathartic for Mr. Spiner to write. He makes light of some personal trauma, involving a stepdad. He needles himself about his hypochondriac nature and living in a state of constant distress and indecisiveness. He makes constant juvenile jokes and even engages in sexual encounters with attractive twins. On a less playful note, he also shows appreciation to his legion of fans, especially those on the spectrum who identified with Data. If your looking for a book whose conception is more fun than its application than this book is for you.
One of the main things that struck me about this book was the utter horniness of Brent Spiner. Maybe, playing against type as Data is basically an asexual being (minus that early episode where he is a glorified sex doll for Tasha Yar), Spiner is typically talking about trying to score. While, in small doses this can be endearing, if I never have to think about Spiner's sexual peccadillos or prowess again I would consider me lucky. One of the main plotlines is Spiner's budding romance/s with the twin sisters who are gorgeous and full of vinegar. Their names are Candy and Cindy.
Another thing of note is the interaction amongst his acting brethren. Despite being fiction, I gained a greater appreciation for all of his costars, especially Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden and LeVar Burton. Frakes's ability to be charming and helpful was noteworthy. He and his wife harbored Brent during some of his most trying times. Gates seems really nice and helpful and LeVar seems to be full of unique advice.
The most intriguing moment is in the description of the severed pig penis that is sent via postal service to Brent's fan mail. This incident is what sparks the call to an FBI agent and leads to the events that fuel this story. The pig penis represents the pluses and minuses of this story. On the one hand, the idea of someone receiving a pig penis is quite humorous if not ridiculous. Why a pig? It also is quite limiting as a device. Once the initial shock is over, why would a pig penis lead to alarm. Not saying I advocate for someone to either send or receive one but I would not turn it into a federal issue.
This book seemed very fun and even cathartic for Mr. Spiner to write. He makes light of some personal trauma, involving a stepdad. He needles himself about his hypochondriac nature and living in a state of constant distress and indecisiveness. He makes constant juvenile jokes and even engages in sexual encounters with attractive twins. On a less playful note, he also shows appreciation to his legion of fans, especially those on the spectrum who identified with Data. If your looking for a book whose conception is more fun than its application than this book is for you.
August 15, 2022
Yes, it's that guy off Star Trek TNG and no, he ain't no Dashiell Hammett. This does have entertaining moments, but they get washed away in a tide of pointless anecdotes, self-indulgence and sheer bad writing.
June 9, 2022
I had so much fun listening to this audiobook! I heartily encourage you to experience this book in that format. Just laughed and laughed the whole way through! It helps, but isn’t required, to have a dry sense of humor and know the lyrics to classic 1940s songs. Trust me, this is great entertainment!
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