Mosaic (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder | Jeri Taylor |
| Products | Science fiction novel |
| Parent | Pocket Books |
Mosaic is a novel inspired by the American science fiction TV series Star Trek: Voyager. Authored by Jeri Taylor, who served as executive producer during the show’s first five seasons, the book was released by Pocket Books in 1996. It delves into the life of Captain Kathryn Janeway, tracing her journey from childhood through her formative years in Starfleet, culminating in her first command assignment.
Taylor expressed that the chance to develop Janeway’s backstory was an offer she "could not decline." Prior to finishing Mosaic, Pocket Books commissioned her to write a follow-up novel titled Pathways. These two works stand out within the franchise as the sole novels regarded as canonical, with portions of Mosaic being incorporated into the television series both before and after the book’s publication.
Plot
While escaping a Kazon warship, the USS Voyager becomes trapped within a Nebula. During this event, Lieutenant Tuvok leads an away team on a nearby planet, leaving Captain Kathryn Janeway to confront a pivotal choice: whether to prioritize rescuing her ship or saving her crew and close companion. Amid this dilemma, she reflects on her upbringing and early Starfleet experiences that shaped her leadership style.
Production
Jeri Taylor, who co-created and served as executive producer for the initial five seasons of Star Trek: Voyager, considered Captain Janeway her most meaningful character, highlighting a strong personal connection to the role. She worked closely with Kate Mulgrew, the actress portraying Janeway, who later provided narration for the audiobook edition of Mosaic.
Taylor had previously authored a novelization based on an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation that she wrote. Pocket Books editor John Ordover invited her to craft Janeway’s backstory, resulting in the creation of Mosaic. Despite some initial uncertainty regarding audience reception, Ordover requested a second novel before Mosaic’s completion, which became Pathways. Both books featured established franchise characters such as Kyle Riker, reinforcing their integration within the wider Star Trek universe.
As of 2000, these two novels remain unique as the only Star Trek books officially recognized as canon, with their storylines considered part of the series’ official history. For example, aspects like Janeway’s father’s death were woven into the television show’s continuity. Taylor also deliberately incorporated elements from Mosaic into episodes prior to its release to maintain consistency and synergy between different media formats.
Taylor found writing in prose form more liberating than working on television scripts, appreciating the creative freedom unconstrained by time limits or production challenges. The novel was published in September 1996, followed by an audiobook narrated by Mulgrew released in October.
Reception
In 2013, Dayton Ward recommended Mosaic on the official Star Trek website as an essential read for newcomers. He characterized it as "as close to an official 'autobiography' of Captain Kathryn Janeway as we’re likely to get."
See also
External links
- Mosaic on Memory Beta, a non-canonical Star Trek resource wiki