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Chewbacca

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This article is about a fictional character. For other uses, seeChewbacca (disambiguation).

Chewbacca
Star Warscharacter
First appearanceStar Wars(1977)
Created byGeorge Lucas
Portrayed by
In-universe information
SpeciesWookiee
GenderMale
OccupationCo-pilot and first mate on
Millennium Falcon [1]
AffiliationRebel Alliance
Resistance
Family
  • Mallatobuck (wife) [2]
  • Lumpawaroo (son) [3]
  • Others inLegends [c]
HomeworldKashyyyk

Chewbacca(/tʃuːˈbɑːkə/choo-BAH-kə), nicknamed "Chewie",is a fictional character in theStar Warsfranchise. He is aWookiee—a tall, hairy, highly intelligent species originating from the planetKashyyyk.[4][5]He is 7.5 feet (2.3 m) tall, and typically wears only abandolierand a tool pouch.[1][6]He carries a bowcaster, a traditional Wookiee weapon, and he speaks the Wookiee language Shyriiwook.[7][8]He first appears in theoriginalStar Warsfilm[d]as the loyal friend of the smugglerHan Solo.He is also the co-pilot of Han's starship, theMillennium Falcon.[1][9]

Chewbacca is portrayed byPeter Mayhewin theoriginal film trilogy,theStar Wars Holiday Special(1978), andRevenge of the Sith(2005).[10][9]Mayhew shares the Chewbacca role with his body double,Joonas Suotamo,inThe Force Awakens(2015).[11]Following Mayhew's retirement in 2017, Suotamo took over the role, appearing inThe Last Jedi(2017) andThe Rise of Skywalker(2019).[12]Suotamo also plays Chewbacca in the standalone filmSolo: A Star Wars Story(2018).[13]Chewbacca also appears in animated series, novels, comics, and video games.

Creation and portrayal

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George Lucasinvented many fictional characters while writing the original 1977Star Warsfilm.[e][14]Chewbacca was inspired by his dog, anAlaskan Malamutenamed Indiana. She would sit in the passenger seat of his car while he was driving, and he referred to her as his "co-pilot".[15][16]Chewbacca's name was derived from the Russian wordsobaka(собака), which means "dog".[17]In France, his name was changed in the original French-language release ofStar Wars.He was calledChiktabba,and his nickname wasChico.[18]

The Chewbacca costume used in the original trilogy and theStar Wars Holiday Specialwas made from yak hair, rabbit hair andmohair.[19]ForThe Force Awakens,multiple Chewbacca suits were crafted from yak hair, Lycra and a small amount of mohair.[20]Chewbacca's voice was created byBen Burtt,the sound designer for the original trilogy and the prequel trilogy.[21]He generated the Wookiee's vocalizations by mi xing together recordings of four bears, a badger, a lion, a seal, and a walrus.[22]Mayhew modeled his performance of Chewbacca on the mannerisms of animals he observed in public zoos.[f]

Reception

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In his 1997 review of the Special Edition re-release ofThe Empire Strikes Back,the film criticRoger Ebertdeclared that of all the characters, Chewbacca gave the worst performance. He wrote: "This character was thrown into the first film as window dressing, was never thought through, and as a result has been saddled with one facial expression and one mournful yelp. Much more could have been done. How can you be a space pilot and not be able to communicate in any meaningful way? Does Han Solo really understand Chew's monotonous noises? Do they have long chats sometimes?"[26]In spite of Ebert's critique, Chewbacca received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the1997 MTV Movie Awards.[27][28]

Appearances

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Original trilogy

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Main article:Star Wars original trilogy

Chewbacca was introduced inStar Wars(1977), and is portrayed byPeter Mayhewin all three films of the original film trilogy. Mayhew was cast primarily for his height of 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m).[29]InStar Wars,Chewbacca andHan Soloare smugglers who accept a charter to transportLuke SkywalkerandObi-Wan Kenobito the planetAlderaanaboard their ship, theMillennium Falcon.When they find the planet obliterated by theDeath Star,Chewbacca and Han help their passengers rescuePrincess Leiaand take her to theRebelbase onYavin 4.In the film'sclimactic battle scene,Chewbacca and Han save Luke from being killed byDarth Vader,which allows Luke to destroy the Death Star. After the battle, Leia acknowledges Chewbacca for his achievements alongside Luke and Han.

The Empire Strikes Back(1980) takes place three years afterStar Wars.[30]Chewbacca and Han are planning to leave the Rebellion to pay off a debt toJabba the Hutt,but are drawn back into the war when theEmpireassaults the Rebel base. Chewbacca, Han and Leia seek refuge inCloud Citywith Han's friendLando Calrissian,unaware that Lando has betrayed them to the Empire. C-3PO is blasted into pieces by an Imperialstormtrooper,and Chewbacca saves him from being melted down. Before Han is frozen in carbonite and delivered to Jabba, he asks Chewbacca to look after Leia for him. Chewbacca, Leia and Lando escape from Vader in theFalcon.When Leia hears Luke's cry for help, she orders Chewbacca to turn the ship around to rescue him. In the film's final scene, Chewbacca joins the others in preparing to rescue Han from Jabba.

Lucas wanted to create audience sympathy for C-3PO inThe Empire Strikes Backby having him get dismantled.[31]Because bothC-3POand Chewbacca were likeable characters—and disliked one another—Lucas wanted them to have a bonding experience. Towards this end, Chewbacca rescues C-3PO and later repairs him with the help of R2-D2.[32]

At the beginning ofReturn of the Jedi(1983), Chewbacca infiltrates Jabba's palace by pretending to be the prisoner of a bounty hunter, who is actually Leia in disguise. Chewbacca and his companions manage to rescue Han and escape. Later, Chewbacca joins the others on a mission to destroy the second Death Star's shield generator, which is located onEndor.During a battle, Chewbacca commandeers anAT-ST walker,which contributes to the mission's success. At the end of the film, Chewbacca and the other Rebels celebrate the destruction of the Death Star and the fall of the Empire.

Prequel trilogy

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InRevenge of the Sith(2005), Chewbacca and his fellow WookieeTarffulfight in theClone Warswhen Kashyyyk is invaded by the Separatist Alliance. They also help theJedi MasterYodaescape from clone troopers who were ordered to kill him.

Sequel trilogy

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Main article:Star Wars sequel trilogy

InThe Force Awakens,Mayhew shares the Chewbacca role with his body double, Joonas Suotamo. In the film, which is set thirty years afterReturn of the Jedi,Chewbacca and Han find theMillennium Falcon,which had been stolen from them.[30]They help the rogueFirst OrderstormtrooperFinn,the scavengerReyand the droidBB-8escape from a gang of mercenaries, then fly to the castle ofMaz Kanataso she can help them deliver BB-8 to theResistance.While they are at Maz's castle, the First Order arrives and captures Rey. Chewbacca and the others fly to a Resistance base, where Chewbacca and Han reunite with Leia andC-3PO.They also soon reunite with Rey, who escaped from the First Order. During a Resistance mission, Han is killed by his sonKylo Ren,which prompts an enraged Chewbacca to shoot Kylo in the side. The Wookiee then sets off explosives that allowPoe Dameronand other X-wing pilots to destroyStarkiller Base,the First Order's superweapon. Before the base explodes, Chewbacca rescues Rey and Finn from the wilderness, where they had been fighting with Kylo. Later, Chewbacca helps Rey find Luke on the planetAhch-To.

Suotamo portrays Chewbacca inThe Last Jedi(2017), which takes place immediately afterThe Force Awakens.[30]While Rey attempts to convince Luke to train her, Chewbacca develops a relationship with some seabirds known as Porgs. Later on, Chewbacca and Rey help the Resistance by using theFalconto distract First Order TIE fighters.

Chewbacca returns inThe Rise of Skywalker(2019), again played by Suotamo. He and his companions travel to the planet Passana, where they search for a clue to the location of aSithwayfinder. With the help of Lando, they locate the clue, but are quickly found by the First Order. While Rey confronts Kylo, Chewbacca is captured and taken aboard a transport. Rey usesthe Forceto arrest the flight of the transport she mistakenly believes Chewbacca is on. She accidentally destroys the ship withForce lightning,and believes she has killed Chewbacca, who in reality was on a different transport. Deeply shaken by the apparent death of the Wookiee, Rey and the others pledge to continue the mission in his memory. Later on, Chewbacca's friends realize he is alive, and manage to rescue him. When they return to the Resistance base, they learn of Leia's death, and Chewbacca is distraught. He then helps Lando recruit citizens from across the galaxy to defeat theSith Eternalforces. Near the end of the film, Chewbacca receives a medal from Maz.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

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Suotamo portrays Chewbacca in the 2018 standalone filmSolo: A Star Wars Story,which details the Wookiee's first meeting with Han. He was captured by Imperials on the planet Mimban, and is being held captive in a small pit. Han, considered a "troublemaker" by the Imperials, is thrown into the pit to be eaten by Chewbacca. The Wookiee attacks Han, but stops when Han reveals he can speak Shyriiwook. Chewbacca and Han form an instant bond and escape their captors. They join the crew of the thiefTobias Beckett,and make several attempts to steal coaxium for the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate. On Kessel, Chewbacca frees several other Wookiees from slavery. During the Kessel Run—in which Han flies theFalconthrough a cloudy maelstrom—Chewbacca reveals his skill as a pilot. Near the end of the film, Beckett turns traitor and captures Chewbacca. After Han saves his friend and kills Beckett, he wins theMillenium Falconfrom Lando. Chewbacca and Han then set off on more adventures in theFalcon.

Animated series

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In the season 3 finale of the television seriesThe Clone Wars,Chewbacca is captured by Trandoshan hunters, but is freed byAhsoka Tanoand agrees to help her and two younglings escape. He and Ahsoka attack the Trandoshan fortress before they are found and assisted by Tarfful and other Wookiees.[33]Chewbacca appears in both seasons of the web seriesForces of Destiny(2017–2018). He is featured in episodes 5 and 10 of season 1,[34][35]and in episodes 6 and 12 of season 2.[36][37]

Novels and comics

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Chewbacca is featured in the novelsSmuggler's Run: A Han Solo and Chewbacca Adventure(2015)[38]andThe Mighty Chewbacca in the Forest of Fear(2018).[39]He appears in the comicsChewbacca(2015),[40]Life Day(2021)[41]andHan Solo and Chewbacca(2022–2023).[42]

Video games

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Chewbacca is a playable character in a variety of video games, includingMasters of Teräs Käsi,Star Wars Battlefront II,Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron,Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron,and the2017 versionofStar Wars Battlefront II.The Wookiee is also playable in theLegoStar WarsgamesLego Star Wars: The Video Game,Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy,Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars,Lego Star Wars: The Force AwakensandLego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.

Other

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The 1978 television programStar Wars Holiday Specialintroduces Chewbacca's family, including his wife Mallatobuck, his son Lumpawarrump, and his father Attichitcuk, who is the chief of the Kaapauku Tribe. The program features a story in which Chewbacca and Han travel to Kashyyyk to celebrate Life Day, while trying to prevent Darth Vader from spoiling the holiday. The special is not part of theStar Warsstory canon.[43]

Star Wars Legends

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See also:Star Wars in other media

Following the acquisition ofLucasfilmbyThe Walt Disney Companyin 2012, most of the licensedStar Warsnovels and comics produced between 1977 and 2014 were rebranded asStar Wars Legendsand declared non-canon to the franchise. TheLegendsworks comprise a separate narrative universe.[g]

Chewbacca appears in the novel trilogiesThe Han Solo Adventures(1979–1980),[48]The Black Fleet Crisis(1996–1997)[h]andThe Han Solo Trilogy(1997–1998),[52]as well as the novelsHeirs of the Force(1995),[53]Vector Prime(1999),[54]andDark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader(2005).[55]

Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vaderis set just afterRevenge of the Sith.When the Empire enslaves most of Kashyyyk's population to build the Death Star, Chewbacca escapes with a group of smugglers who are friendly to the Jedi.The Hutt Gambit—the second novel inThe Han Solo Trilogy—explains how Chewbacca and Han first meet. While serving as a lieutenant in the Imperial Navy, Han finds Chewbacca unconscious aboard a slave ship. Han is ordered to skin the Wookiee, but rescues him instead. Upon regaining consciousness, Chewbacca swears a "life-debt" to Han, and the two become business partners and friends.[56]InVector Prime,Chewbacca sacrifices his life to save Han's sonAnakinfrom a collision between the planet Sernpidal and one of its moons. Two of the Wookiee's family members offer to assume Chewbacca's life debt to Han.

Vector Primewas followed by the comic seriesStar Wars: Chewbacca,in which C-3PO and R2-D2 travel the galaxy collecting stories of beings who knew or met the Wookiee.[57]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^Original trilogy
    Revenge of the Sith
    The Force Awakens
    Star Wars Holiday Special
  2. ^Solo: A Star Wars Story
    Sequel trilogy
  3. ^Chewbacca's family members in theStar Wars Legendsnarrative universe include his sister Kallabow, his nephewLowbaccaand his niece Sirrakuk.
  4. ^Originally titledStar Wars,the film was later retitledStar Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope.
  5. ^Originally titledStar Wars,it was later retitledStar Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.
  6. ^Attributed to multiple references:
    [23][24][25]
  7. ^Attributed to multiple references:
    [44][45][46][47]
  8. ^Attributed to multiple references:
    [49][50][51]

References

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Citations

[edit]
  1. ^abc"Chewbacca".StarWars.RetrievedMarch 29,2024.
  2. ^Morrison, Matt (May 14, 2018)."Exclusive: Here's Who That Other Wookiee Is in Solo: A Star Wars Story".ScreenRant.RetrievedApril 9,2024.
  3. ^Gallagher, Brian (February 21, 2017)."Chewbacca's Son in The Star Wars Holiday Special Is Officially Canon".MovieWeb.RetrievedApril 9,2024.
  4. ^Hidalgo & Sansweet 2008c,p. 333.
  5. ^"Kashyyyk".StarWars.RetrievedApril 8,2024.
  6. ^Hidalgo & Sansweet 2008a,p. 122.
  7. ^"Bowcaster".StarWars.RetrievedApril 5,2024.
  8. ^Romano, Nick (May 10, 2018)."Alden Ehrenreich had to learn Wookiee for 'Solo: A Star Wars Story'".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedApril 6,2024.
  9. ^abRichwine, Lisa; Gorman, Steve (May 2, 2019)."Peter Mayhew, actor who played Chewbacca in 'Star Wars' movies, dies".Reuters.Archivedfrom the original on November 3, 2021.RetrievedApril 7,2024.
  10. ^"Star Wars: Holiday Special".Rotten Tomatoes.RetrievedApril 10,2024.
  11. ^Shanley, Patrick (February 21, 2017)."'Star Wars': New Chewbacca Actor Honors Peter Mayhew After Taking on the Role ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedApril 10,2024.
  12. ^Liptak, Andrew (May 2, 2019)."Peter Mayhew, the actor who brought Chewbacca to life, has died".The Verge.RetrievedMarch 30,2024.
  13. ^Breznican, Anthony (May 3, 2019)."Watch new Chewbacca actor Joonas Suotamo explain Peter Mayhew's influence".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedMarch 29,2024.
  14. ^The Characters of Star Wars(DVD). 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. 2004.Star WarsOriginal Trilogy DVD Box Set: Bonus Materials.
  15. ^Anderton, Ethan (December 2, 2021)."The Unexpected Inspiration Behind Chewbacca".Slashfilm.RetrievedMarch 29,2024.
  16. ^Rinzler 2008,p. 35.
  17. ^Boucher, Geoff; Petski, Denise (May 2, 2019)."Peter Mayhew Dies: 'Star Wars' Chewbacca Actor Was 74".Deadline.RetrievedApril 5,2024.
  18. ^"Z6PO? How the French originally translated the names of Star Wars characters".The Local France.May 4, 2017.RetrievedMarch 29,2024.
  19. ^Hutchinson, Sean (May 2, 2019)."15 Things You Might Not Know About Chewbacca".Mental Floss.RetrievedMarch 29,2024.
  20. ^Rosenstein, Jenna (November 12, 2015)."Star Wars: Chewbacca's Hair Routine in The Force Awakens Is Actually Pretty Glam".Allure.RetrievedApril 11,2024.
  21. ^Wilson, Mark (April 17, 2015)."How Ben Burtt Designed the Sounds of Star Wars".Fast Company.RetrievedApril 10,2024.
  22. ^Madrigal, Alexis C. (August 7, 2014)."The Incredible Story of How Chewbacca Got a Voice".The Atlantic.Archived fromthe originalon November 5, 2023.RetrievedMarch 30,2024.
  23. ^Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy(DVD). 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. 2004.
  24. ^Lambrechts, Stephen (September 13, 2011)."Chatting with Chewie".IGN.Archivedfrom the original on October 17, 2023.RetrievedMarch 4,2024.
  25. ^"Peter Mayhew – Biography".Yahoo! Movies.Archived fromthe originalon May 9, 2006.RetrievedOctober 3,2006.
  26. ^Roger Ebert (February 21, 1997)."The Empire Strikes Back".Chicago Sun-Times.Archived fromthe originalon November 16, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 29,2012.
  27. ^Richmond, Ray (June 9, 1997)."Cruise & Danes top MTV nods".Variety.RetrievedJune 6,2024.
  28. ^Pener, Degen; Laine, Tricia (June 20, 1997)."The California scene".Entertainment Weekly.RetrievedJune 6,2024.
  29. ^"Peter Mayhew – Biography".Yahoo! Movies.Archived fromthe originalon May 9, 2006.RetrievedOctober 3,2006.
  30. ^abcTravis, Ben (June 12, 2024)."Star Wars Timeline: Every Movie, Series And More".Empire.RetrievedJuly 2,2024.
  31. ^Rinzler 2010,p. 132.
  32. ^Rinzler 2010,p. 133.
  33. ^"Wookiee Hunt." (April 1, 2011)Star Wars: The Clone Wars.Season 3, episode 22. (Television series).
  34. ^"Star Wars Forces of DestinyEpisode 'Beasts of Echo Base'".Disney. July 7, 2017.RetrievedJuly 8,2017– via YouTube.
  35. ^"Star Wars Forces of DestinyEpisode 'Newest Recruit'".Disney. October 1, 2017.RetrievedOctober 1,2017– via YouTube.
  36. ^"Star Wars Forces of DestinyEpisode 'Bounty Hunted'".Disney. March 19, 2018.RetrievedMay 31,2024– via YouTube.
  37. ^"Star Wars Forces of DestinyEpisode 'Porgs!'".Disney. May 4, 2018.RetrievedMay 31,2024– via YouTube.
  38. ^Rucka, Greg (2015).Smuggler's Run: A Han Solo & Chewbacca Adventure.Egmont.ISBN978-1-4052-7785-3.
  39. ^Angleberger, Tom (May 25, 2018).Star Wars: The Mighty Chewbacca in the Forest of Fear.Disney Electronic Content.ISBN978-1-368-02575-1.
  40. ^"Exclusive: 'Star Wars' Spins Off 'Chewbacca' Into His Own Solo Adventures".MTV.Archived fromthe originalon January 15, 2016.RetrievedMay 31,2024.
  41. ^"Star Wars: Life Day (2021) #1".Marvel.RetrievedMay 31,2024.
  42. ^"Star Wars: Han Solo & Chewbacca (2022 - 2023)".Marvel.RetrievedMay 31,2024.
  43. ^Berman, John; Gerstein, Ted (December 20, 2007)."Holiday Specials Gone Bad".ABC News.Archivedfrom the original on March 25, 2016.RetrievedMay 31,2024.
  44. ^McMilian, Graeme (April 25, 2014)."Lucasfilm Unveils New Plans forStar WarsExpanded Universe ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on April 29, 2016.RetrievedMay 26,2016.
  45. ^"The LegendaryStar WarsExpanded Universe Turns a New Page ".StarWars.April 25, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on September 10, 2016.RetrievedMay 26,2016.
  46. ^"Disney and Random House announce relaunch ofStar WarsAdult Fiction line ".StarWars. April 25, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on May 14, 2016.RetrievedMay 26,2016.
  47. ^Dinsdale, Ryan (May 4, 2023)."The Star Wars Canon: The Definitive Guide".IGN.RetrievedMay 31,2024.
  48. ^Daley, Brian; Lucas, George (1994).The Han Solo Adventures.Ballantine Books.ISBN978-0-345-39442-2.
  49. ^Kube-Mcdowell, Michael P. (March 1, 1996).Before the Storm: Star Wars Legends (The Black Fleet Crisis).Random House Worlds.ISBN978-0-553-57273-5.
  50. ^Kube-Mcdowell, Michael P. (August 1, 1996).Shield of Lies: Star Wars Legends (The Black Fleet Crisis).Random House Worlds.ISBN978-0-553-57277-3.
  51. ^Kube-Mcdowell, Michael P. (December 1, 1996).Tyrant's Test: Star Wars Legends (The Black Fleet Crisis).Random House Worlds.ISBN978-0-553-57275-9.
  52. ^Crispin, A. C. (1997).Star Wars: The Han Solo Trilogy.Science Fiction Book Club.ISBN978-1-56865-953-4.
  53. ^Anderson, Kevin J.; Moesta, Rebecca (1995).Heirs of the Force.Boulevard Books.ISBN978-1-57297-066-3.
  54. ^Salvatore, R. A. (1999).Vector Prime: The New Jedi Order.Century.ISBN978-0-7126-8084-4.
  55. ^Luceno, James (2005).Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader.Century.ISBN978-1-84413-305-5.
  56. ^Crispin, A. C. (1997).The Hutt Gambit.Bantam.ISBN978-0-553-50547-4.
  57. ^Macan, Darko; Anderson, Brent Eric; Blyberg, Willie; Eyring, Nathan (2001).Chewbacca.Titan.ISBN978-1-84023-274-5.

Works Cited

[edit]
  • Hidalgo, Pablo; Sansweet, Stephen (2008a).The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia.Vol. I (First ed.). New York: Del Rey.ISBN9780345477637.
  • Hidalgo, Pablo; Sansweet, Stephen (2008c).The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia.Vol. III (First ed.). New York: Del Rey.ISBN9780345477637.
  • Rinzler, J.W. (2008).The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film(2008 ed.). Ebury Press.ISBN978-0-09-192499-7.
  • Rinzler, J.W. (2010).The Making of The Empire Strikes Back(eBook v3.1 ed.). London: Del Rey.ISBN9780345543363.
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