God Is an Iron and Other Stories [Large Print] [Paperback]

Spider Robinson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

SF veteran Spider Robinson (The Callahan Chronicals) gathers 10 tales, most from the 1970s and '80s, into a collection that seems to owe more to the past (i.e., Robinson's 1960s sensibilities) than it does to the future. God Is an Iron and Other Stories includes the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning but dated "Stardance," in which the beautiful Shara must save the world through her dancing skills, as well as the slight and comic "Orphans of Eden," in which a character sharing the author's name helps a time traveler determine humanity's fate.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Four more titles in Five Star's new series of short fiction by noteworthy sf authors offer a variety of tales that illustrate the depth and staying power of the genre. God Is an Iron and Other Stories presents ten tales by sf veteran Robinson, including the author's classic novella "Stardance" (co-written with Jeanne Robinson), which relates the bittersweet tale of a dancer who finds her destiny among the stars. Sf author and editor Schmidt's Generation Gap and Other Stories consists of 11 stories that range from the title story's exploration of a meeting between a man and his younger self to the complications surrounding the revival of an extinct species ("Johnny Birdseed"). The Lady Vanishes and Other Oddities of Nature brings together 11 tales by sf veteran and scientist Sheffield, including a missing-person mystery ("The Lady Vanishes") and a wry look at the future of football ("The Whole Three Yards"). In Suppose They Gave a Peace and Other Stories, fantasy and sf author Shwartz collects ten stories that run the gamut from alternate history ("Suppose They Gave a Peace") to feline perceptions ("Critical Cats"). Most of the stories in these volumes have only appeared in periodicals. Libraries wishing to augment their sf or short fiction collections should consider any of them.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 219 pages
• Publisher: Five Star Trade (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410401154
• ISBN-13: 978-1410401151
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,911,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Joy, The Rapture,, September 24, 2002

By 

Solomon Davidoff "Dr. D." (Allston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: God is an Iron and Other Stories (Five Star Speculatvie Fiction) (Hardcover)

I have always enjoyed Spider Robinson's work, ever since a friend introduced me to his short story "Meloncholy Elephants" years ago. And now that story, and others, are reprinted in this spectacular hardbound edition.
Personl favorites include the title story (and the slight twist at the ending), Rubber Soul (a lyrical delight), Meloncholy Elephants (still a favorite), and Orphans of Eden, which is not quite as the publishers review puts it, wherein a character based on Spider is played. It's Spider, darn it.

You can find these stories in other places if you look, but it's nice to have them in hardcover, and this IS a fine edition. The cover is slick, and the same under the dustjacket.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great collection of classics, August 19, 2011

By 

Laurie A. Brown (SANDPOINT, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: God Is an Iron and Other Stories (Paperback)

The stories in this collection were mostly written in the 1970s and 80s, but they have held up well in most ways. You may have to ignore it when the story mentions current times and puts technology there that didn't happen, but just think of it as taking place in an alternate universe. It's the story that matters, not the dates. His style reminds me at times of Robert Heinlein, which is appropriate, given that Heinlein was the first author Robinson read as a child - and that he was chosen to finish a story outline that Heinlein left when he died.

Many of the stories deal with humanity- not just humanity as people, but the human soul and heart. Whether it's artists fighting to be allowed to keep creating, or a dancer fighting against both stereotypes and gravity, the problems to be solved aren't bug eyed aliens despite Robinson's grounding in the hard SF of the 60s. Add some humor and a lot of twists, stir and enjoy.

4.0 out of 5 stars mixed bag, January 12, 2007

By 

Allan Markle (Kimberley, B.C.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: God Is an Iron and Other Stories (Paperback)

Some of Spider's earlier stuff, including the landmark Stardance (writtten with Jeanne). Not every story in this collection is worth raves, but every story is worth reading. A couple, like the title piece and Not Fade Away are pure Spider--twisty, and just when you think you've got it, he does a little shuffle and leads you away from wherever you thought you were going. Like someone once said: "Don't miss it if you can."