Rating: 
Summary: good, but not quite what I expected
Review: The life story of Garak written as a letter to Dr. Bashir on DS9 starts out at a very good pace and keeps the reader's interest. Later however, one will either love the rest of the content or consider it average to good at best. The beginning of the book has Garak talking about what he's doing now to help rebuild Cardassia and his experiences at a prestigious intsitute called Bamarren. Bamarren is a place that trains a select group of Cardassians to become intelligence operatives. I found the initial discussion about Bamarren interesting because I was eager to find out more about the harsh training. The more I read however, the more my interest dwindled. Andrew Robinson is undoubtely a very good writer, but I simply found some of his descriptions at the intelligence institute rather vague and inconsistent. For example, "the pit" is mentioned but I still don't know exactly what it is and exactly what was done there and how. At first, I thought it was just a place where the Cardassians fight one another, but it was stated that many of them are in the pit at once just standing doing nothing until they start passing out. Another thing about the pit was that its heat was supposed to be part of the training, but I always thought that Cardassians had a very high threshold for enduring heat. The author's description of the so-called martial ways of the Cardassians were very vague. It would have been better if he didn't even mention anything about martial arts in the first place. Much of the book is character driven and centers around Garak's love interest, his relations with Enabrain Tain, his feelings towards others and his interpersonal relations. How Garak deals with betrayal, unspoken love and deceit are given good treatment.
Rating: 
Summary: Excelent, Plain and Simple...
Review: A Stitch in Time, by Andrew J. Robinson... I recognized the character Garak, the Cardassian "taylor" of Deep Space Nine, from the title of the novel as much as from the cover art depicting him in a pensive mood holding an Edosian Orchid. So far as I was aware when I picked the book up, I had never heard of Andrew J. Robinson, though in fact I had... more about the author later. A Stitch in Time is set up as a sort of Barbourian diary, if you will. It begins in the present with a letter to Garak's friend, Dr. Bashir, sojourns alternately between two different points of Garak's "fateline", each progressing generally forward. Time and all its permutations is very much woven into the fabric of the book. I suspect that the title, having its base in reference to a popular saying related to tayloring, ("a stitch in time saves nine", for those who somehow missed this lesson at Gramma's knee), is also a metaphor for a short span of time... or perhaps Garak's life. During the time that the television series was still in production, Garak's past, and indeed present, were somewhat of a mystery. This novel fills in the gaps of his earlier life and gives a vivid picture of what life in a militaristic society must be like. Reading this, I was very much reminded of George Orwell's 1984, though it ends on an upnote rather than the despair of the future that permeates Orwell's novel and the outlook of his character Winston, though I suspect that if Winston were a Cardassian... well, I digress. The tone of the novel is somewhat somber, and one can easily envision "plain and simple Garak" at his keyboard in a ruined Cardassian city amid pots and sherds with orchids, sewing machines, thread, fabric, and such littered around him as he puts the final touches on his narrative and the cover letter to Dr. Bashir he is sending along with it. I found much to reflect on in this story. A Stitch in Time is currently available as an ebook or in paperback, #27 in the Star Trek Deep Space Nine series. Buy this book. It is the best Star Trek novel I have ever read, though, My Enemy, My Ally is a close second. Oh.... the author? Andrew J. Robinson? He is the actor who so brilliantly potrayed Garak on the television series where he was introduced. Very, very well done, Sir!
Rating:
Summary: Garak - Outside Looking In
Review: I remember hearing word that Andrew Robinson was going to write a DS9 novel, and experienced a very mild reaction. Thoughts of an actor just trying to earn an extra paycheck by letting someone else fill in every piece for him except for some creativity here and there filled my head. I picked up this book at the bookstore, read the back cover, and my emotions still didn't overflow with anticipation. But there was something that snatched me and persuaded me to buy it. Call it curiosity, call it Deep Space Nine withdrawal, whatever it was gave me the needed "oomph" to purchase it. And it was one of the biggest surprises in not only Star Trek history for me, but fiction writing in general. Plain and simple Garak evolves in this novel, and fills in all the pieces of Garak's past and personality like a well-placed collar. You can feel Andrew Robinson's connection with this exiled and lonely man, and in watching Deep Space Nine episodes after reading this book - particularly "Improbable Cause," "The Die is Cast," "In Purgatory's Shadow," "By Inferno's Light," and "Empok Nor," it causes a ripple of understanding and fascination with Garak, even stronger than by watching the series alone. All in all, this book was fantastic. From Garak's childhood, through his adolescent years, his relationship to Enabran Tain as both protege and son, his experiences with love, politics, death, and heartbreak, and the reasons behind his exile from Cardassia, this book will have you latched onto it like a vole on an electrical conduit. The VERY few negative comments I could even possibly make are just some omissions. A lack of character interaction between Garak and Gul Dukat slightly hurts the explanation for their series-long feud and leaves that area too unexplored, and references to the Romulan/Cardassian fleet that attacked the Dominion in "Improbable Cause"/"The Die is Cast" were nearly non-existent to provide some more insight to the Tain/Garak relationship. These points pale in comparison to the elaborate and perfectly designed situations Andrew creates for Garak's tapestry; you can truly see how his experiences and adventures correlate to the personality you see on the screen in the series. The reasons and foundations for Garak's mysterious ways, blind ambition, thirst for acceptance and companionship, fondness for philosophy and vicious circles, are all explored and presented here. What you read is what you get in the timeline of things. The one thing that's hard to do is mentally visualize the fictional Cardassian characters, and Garak as a young man. But other than that, Andrew does a beautiful job of utilizing explosive and vivid imagery in his descriptions. I can say little more to persuade you, you will just have to do yourself a favor and purchase this one as soon as you can. Don't be hesistant on the actor/author situation, Andrew Robinson brings Garak to life one stitch at a time. "A stitch in time saves nine...."
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Psychological Insights!
Review: Lucky for us, Andrew J. Robinson is a playwright as well as a masterful actor. His writing ability shines in this wonderful novel based on the best of all the STAR TREK series. Did I like DEEP SPACE NINE? Well, the proof's in what happened after DS9 went off the air. I haven't watched anything since more than once or twice, and am purchasing all the DS9 videotapes. I wouldn't dream of going to that expense for any other TV show. Garak wasn't the only complex and well-drawn character on DS9--most of them were, thus the show's appeal--but he was certainly one of the more interesting ones. Garak began as an occasional secondary character on DS9 (was he a spy or wasn't he??) and from the outset was so well-portrayed by Andrew Robinson that the writers included him into the plots more and more as the series progressed. At the end Robinson should have received lead billing, since we saw him more often than Cirroc Lofton, the talented teenager who played Jake Sisko. Watching Robinson's subtle acting, I realized that he'd given much thought to a deeply psychological characterization of Garak, and am very grateful that he finally has had the chance to pour it all out on paper in this terrific book, A STITCH IN TIME, which I could compare favorably with Gene Wolfe's "New Sun" novels, recording the life of Severian, ex-torturer's apprentice, whom Garak resembles in many ways. I've read a few other DS9 novels, none of them even close to this one in the qualities that make a good novel. The only quibble, if it really is one, is that a reader totally unfamiliar with DS9 might be a little bewildered at the outset. Any reader, however, can get into it, and once beyond the first few pages I guarantee he or she will be mesmerized. That's because Robinson has produced a genuine novel, not hackwork. The writing style has a Wolfean quality to it, both wonderfully descriptive yet surreal. Garak, the ultimate cynic, shows us how manipulation corrupts, that the moral imperative of nationalist patriotism too often erodes the greater moral good of conscience. We understand his need to reconcile himself to a shameful past in order to continue living, we sorrow with him at the destruction of everything familiar, and we are inside his mind as he grows and changes and finally learns from his harrowing experiences. This book packs a wallop.
Rating:
Summary: Wow, I loved this book.
Review: I've only read a few star trek books - Millennium books 1 and 2, q-in-law, crossover and fallen heroes - but I have to honestly say, A Stitch in Time is the best that I have read, period. To be even more honest, this book is more than just a DS9 book - it takes a very deep and life-like look at the character Elim Garak. You get the most intimate look into his mind and Andrew Robinson delivers the dialog impecably well. You can feel the lonefulness, playful nature of the character and learn the motivations and reasons behind his actions and habits. Andrew Robinson has done an amazing job illustrated Cardassian thinking and culture. Even in the smallest of details, you know Mr. Robinson is true to Cardassian political structure, paradigms and visual architecture. Even if your not a DS9 fan, the story on its own sad yet funny and mysterious yet conforting. It's just a very well written book and a very entertaining read. If you are a DS9 fan, you won't be disappointed. Having been a major fan of the DS9 television (above TNG, Voyager or Enterprise), this book certainly enhances your knowledge, appreciation and fascination with DS9 and especially with the character Garak. I highly recommend this one.
Rating:
Summary: A Stitch in Time - An extraordinarily intriguing tale!
Review: From his first appearance on Star Trek Deep Space Nine in the third episode of the first season, "Past Prologue," the character of Garak, played so admirably by Andrew Robinson, has been one of the most enigmatic yet intriguing and compelling characters to have been introduced into the tapestry that is Star Trek. After bringing such a richness and depth to this character for seven years of television, Andrew Robinson sought after and was given the opportunity to bring Garak into the world of Star Trek novels and the result is a resounding success. From the very first page to the last, "A Stitch in Time" is just as the character Garak is, intriguing and quite compelling. If there ever was a Star Trek Deep Space novel that deserved a hardback release, this was it! Oft times, actors who take up pen and paper to write a story about their character seemingly fall flat. That is not the case with "A Stitch in Time!" Andrew Robinson is a superb author that writes as he speaks, with fluidity and purpose. The premise: This wonderful "memoir" is told entirely from Garak's point of view in the form of entries in his personal journal and letters to Doctor Bashir, his one true friend on Deep Space Nine. It covers the better part of his life, from the days of his youth where he grew up with his mother and "father", Mila and Tolan, living in his childhood home, with his "Uncle" Enabran Tain living upstairs. As this wonderful story moves along, Garak takes us to the Bamarren Institute where he learns some of life's harder lessons along with meeting the one woman he truly loves but cannot have, to his initiation into the Obsidian Order by the leader of that secret organization, his Uncle, Enabran Tain. While exploring his youth and the decisions that brought him to the present, Garak is also telling Doctor Bashir of his days on Cardassia after the events depicted in the last few episodes of Deep Space Nine where the Cardassians turned on their Dominion "friends" and the planet was subjected to orbital bombardment by the Dominion warships. Most important of what you'll find in this outstanding novel is the events that lead to Garak's being exiled to Deep Space Nine and of interest, though not canon, is we learn what Dukat's first name is as well. I highly recommend this book to any and all fans of Star Trek and Deep Space Nine, for it is well worth the time spent reading it even if you're merely a casual fan of the series or the books. The author weaves a beautiful tapestry of Garak's life. {ssintrepid}
Rating:
Summary: Absolute genius -- another Star Trek novel triumph!!
Review: I couldn't put this book down...Star Trek fans (DS9 especially) will cherish all the substance it contains, but others (the unenlightened....hehe just kidding) should enjoy it as well. It speaks to a lot of universal themes that everyone can relate to...friendship, love, duty, betrayal, regret...the list goes on. One of those books that fascinates you and excites you, and in a few moments time has you literally in tears. A must-have for any Garak fan! Andrew J. Robinson should write another Garak novel, although somehow I don't see it happening soon. 5 stars...no 6 -- 5 just isn't enough...
Rating:
Summary: Garak
Review: When I watched DS9. I loved Garak. He was the least used character on the show. He was mysterous. Now thanks to this book we learn about his past and his role in Cardassia's future. I hope to see more of him in the books.
Rating: 
Summary: A delicious portrayal of Garak
Review: I'm not a heavy consumer of Star Trek fiction, but I have to take my hat off to Andrew J. Robinson's excellent novel. I was always a big fan of Deep Space Nine, in which Garak was the most compelling character. Andrew Robinson, excellent actor that he is, undoubtedly invested much time in pondering the background and motivations of Garak. Here it pays off, and we have a rich introduction to the life of our favorite Cardassian tailor. One of the most delightful things about the book is the way that it thoroughly explains the relationships that Garak had with other Cardassians on the show (which were usually hostile). Robinson effortlessly weaves (this is definitely the right verb here) each such interaction into his story. The picture that emerges is by no means plain or simple. Garak is at once capable of great decency and chilling indifference. He is neither a monster nor a heroic figure - and it is informative to see how often he is manipulated by those more ruthless than he. Most of the book is retrospective, although there are fascinating passages that cover the immediate aftermath of the final episodes of Deep Space Nine. I for one would greatly welcome another contribution by Robinson charting further into the future of this always-engaging character.
Rating:
Summary: Showcases one of the most Intriguing Star Trek characters
Review: The dilemma most non-Trekkers find with the television series and its related books is the need to be familiar with the Trek Universe and its characters. Not so with this book. It's written as a self-contained novel that provides background only where needed without bogging down in it. "A Stitch in Time" tells the story of Garak, a mild-mannered Cardassian (An alien race of bad guys). At first glance he seems a simple "dress maker" who owns and operates a tailor shop on the space station, Deep Space Nine. (Deep Space Nine is where the good guys live.) Basically, he's a fixture on the space station. In reality, he's a high-ranking and highly decorated Cardassian operative in the brutal Cardassian (Remember: Alien race of bad guys) Secret Police. The catch is that he's in exile for reasons yet explained. In fact, the bad guys would like Garak to leave the sanctuary of the space station so they can arrest and execute him for treason ("Treason" is their word for whatever Garak did or did not do that caused his exile.) Also, the good guys suspect Garak is more than a simple tailor. For example: Garak always seems to "remember" a skill of some sort (bomb making, ...etc.) that helps the good guys out of a tough spot, all the while professing his ignorance as to how he could have this knowledge. "I read so much. Maybe I read about it?" Funny stuff. Finally, the good guys know the bad guys want him but of course, with Garack having committed no crimes on Deep Space Nine he's left alone by the good buys. All of this makes Garak a true man without a country. The character of Garak is one of the most interesting in the entire Star Trek mythos. If you found his character a bright spot on STDS9 (A series I still argue is underrated by Trek-snobs.) you'll enjoy this read. It examines Garak's pre and post Deep Space Nine life, while building on what we know by filling gaps where needed. What I found intriguing about this book was that it provided insight into the character of Garak but never forgot that his main appeal is his mysteriousness. The reader doesn't learn everything about Garak, and I'd have it no other way. A+
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