Customer Reviews

The Lifehouse Trilogy

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4 star:		(2)
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Spider Robinson has made his mark in writing short stories, especially the Callahan series. So far I had been unconvinced by his attempts at longer stuff, though the 'Lady Mary' novels are also witty, impertinent and loaded with abominable puns ('Lady Slings the Booze'...). What is usually lacking in his long novels is pace: true son of the sixties that he is, Spider takes his time and meanders leisurily through his story. It is pleasurable, full of invention, cozy aso, but... yawns do happen in the reading.
The Lifehouse Trilogy is even more ambitious a project in length, since the threee novels in it actually share their main characters (if you can still call'em characters... but no spoiler!) and story thread, at different places in time. It partakes of Robinson's usual qualities, and for a change it gets much more catching than his other novels (I include Very Bad Deaths in the paceless kind). The second one relapses a bit in that respect, being basically an egotistical journal of a hippie in the North, but actually this is in accordance with the psyche of the narrator at this point in time, so when all is said and done it is pardonable, situated between the action-packed first and third novels. The initial idea of the last novel is so original, so incredibly delicious that I envy the reader who will discover it.
The overall plot is extremely original, with a (last?) trend of the hippy optimism and a vision of mankind eventually coming of age. (sigh) not likely, but maybe this is not fiction? Keep your fingers crossed.

Three interrelated stories of individuals caught up in very different worlds will provide readers with suspense and intrigue alike, creating moving and vivid stories hard to put down. MINDKILLER presents a future where 'wireheads' addicted to electric brain currents are the new junkies, with one Karen determined to bring down those who sell wireheading equipment; TIME PRESSURE tells of a lovely time traveler who presents Sam with a dilemma and possible romance, and LIFEHOUSE tells of a woman who has lost key memories of possible aliens or superhumans. All are gripping, involving stories not to be missed.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I'm really glad that I found this omnibus version as I had read `Mindkiller' previously and was glad to find two sequels to go with it. It gives `deja-vu' a whole new meaning!

The first book (Mindkiller) jumps forwards and backwards chronologically, but stick with it - the payoff (reveal?) is worth it in the end!

The second book (Time Pressure) makes me wonder - did I really forget where I put my car keys, or did I have some help? Hmmmmm....

The third book (Lifehouse) makes me wonder about the ends justifying the means, or is it the means justifying the ends? And which came first, the chickens or the eggs?

I hope Spider finds time to re-visit this storyline as I would like to know more about some of the characters both before and after the action in these stories.

Note to parents - there is a good bit of adult / sexual themes in this.

Mindkiller. Wireheads are addicted to an electric current that feeds impulses into the brain's pleasure centers. As a reformed wirehead who no longer uses, Karen knows she is fortunate to be alive. She and her current lover Joe, who saved her life when he found her nearly dead, want to destroy the dealers who sell the gizmos. However, instead they begin to find evidence that an international cartel control the minds of most people. At the same time, assistant professor Norman hates his job and marriage, but it is the sudden disappearance of his sister that shakes him; he begins searching for her.

Time Pressure. During a blizzard in a remote part of a Nova Scotia forest, Sam, the American draft dodger, is stunned when the naked girl appeared out of nowhere inside a blue lit globe. He believes she must be from the future, but waits for her awakening. When she does, he finds himself reconsidering what to do with her, as he fears she has come to destroy the present.

Lifehouse. June and Paul are con artists who wonder what is going on when she returns from a walk in the park with her memory modified after apparently meeting some future pair. At the same time a time traveling duo meets and enlists the help of Secret Masters of Fandom married couple, Wally and Moira. Their mission is to save John Lennon.

This is a fine omnibus reprint of three Spider Robinson science fiction thrillers. Although not as deep as the Callahan tales, each asks readers to ponder fascinating ethical issues, but none of the characters are that profound. Still this is an entertaining Canadian saga that comes alive with draft dodging Americans but especially the amusing time paradoxical Lifehouse.