Warped Factors: A Neurotic's Guide to the Universe

 Warped Factors: A Neurotic's Guide to the Universe (1998) by Walter Koenig

Synopsis (from the book flap): This is Koenig's story--from growing up as the neurotic child of Russian immigrants in 1940s Manhattan through his rise to Star Trek fame as Pavel Chekov, Russian navigator of the U.S.S. Enterprise, and beyond. Not a typical Hollywood memoir, Warped Factors is anything but aloof. Koenig's very human narrative is full of the kind of insecurities and quirks anyone can relate to. With wry wit, striking candor, and a true gift for storytelling, Koenig takes us on a sometimes bumpy, but often hilarious trip through his galaxy....Of course, this amusing memoir will take us behind the scenes of Star Trek, with fresh perspectives not only on the cast members themselves but also on the development and evolution of the megalithic sci-fi legend....Finally, Koenig offers candid reflections not only on the Star Trek years but on his life and career since. Most notable are his well-received stints on stage and his role as the insidious Alfred Bester on television's Bablyon 5.

I've now read all available biographies/autobiographies/memoirs about or by every member of the Classic Trek except for James Doohan. I still need to get myself a copy of Beam Me Up, Scotty. Unfortunately, Koenig's memoir is the least engaging yet. He spends a great deal of time talking about his "other shoe" moments...moments waiting for the ill-fated other shoe to drop. When he just tells his story, he can be quite entertaining, but there are too many moments where he steps out of narrative mode to mention something and then say "more on that later." Or to tell us for the upmpteenth time how he was waiting for things to turn bad. Or to tell us how he totally misinterpreted someone's motives because of his own insecurities and hang-ups. Yes--I realize that he gave us a big clue to his nature in the subtitle but we didn't need to be hit repeatedly over the head with the idea of how neurotic he is. We get it. 

In many ways, his memoir is the most down-to-earth of those I've read, so it definitely earns points there. And when he allows himself to just tell the stories he does show the wry wit mentioned in the burb above. I would have enjoyed more of that and less waiting about for the other shoe to drop. But, after all, it's his story and I'm sure he needed to get that off his chest. 

An interesting addition to the Star Trek lore I have already read--and a book for fans. ★★★