The Eyes of the Beholders is the number thirteen of the TNG books, and is written by A.C. Crispin.
The plot begins quite traditionally with the Enterprise ordered to investigate an area of space from which a number of ships have gone missing. Some sort of field soon captures the Enterprise, and draws it towards its source, which is revealed to be an artificial object of unknown purpose. Once in sight of this object, the Enterprise discovers the missing ships whose crews have died as a result of intense mental degradation, the cause of which is believed to be the object. The holding field is having a similarly negative effect on the crew of the Enterprise. These effects manifest themselves in depression and vivid nightmares. Attempts to take control of the object from inside it results in the boarding party collapsing after experiencing a Lovecraftian landscape of sorts. (Ending is spoiled further down).
There are two B-plots that parallel the main story: One story involves an Andorian orphan, Thala, whose father died during the original Borg encounter, and who will need to be transported to an Andorian orphanage. The other story involves Data’s attempt at writing fiction, including his failures to elicit honest criticism from his crewmates.
Comments: Compared to what we’ve had already in the TNG series, the plot’s quite different here; there’s no political turmoil to be dealt with (cf. novels #2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12), or even more simply hostile aliens (cf. #1, 3, 8). To be fair, the initial springboard in the form of “anomalous area of space” is similarly used to set up the story for #9 and #11).
I found this to be an extremely enjoyable novel. This is undoubtedly a character-story, and Crispin uses the crews’ dreams (which are caused by the artificial object) to explore elements of pathos, and where those dreams intersect with the past, develop a sense of nostalgia. And apropos those dreams: am not normally a fan of such things, but thought that the memory of Riker’s first love was well done.
A number of the reviewers on Amazon were put off by the sections involving Data’s writing. I’d, first of all, disagree about their value in themselves – providing character portraiture – and also fitting in perfectly with the ending. With the final revelation that the station is an ancient, and extraordinary alien, a collection of arts, Data comes to terms with his authorial inadequacies by also coming to appreciate the role he could play in the translation of the works; an optimistic elegy to Data’s artificial nature. (Even if it is a little too romantically written).
External links: Memory-alpha has a list of people, with about the same at -beta.
