Customer Reviews

Time Travelers Strictly Cash

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Robinson's Callahan books are always emotional wringers, and though this is not restricted to Callahan stories, the others also have that same empathy. You may see some of the same stories (Fivesight, God is an Iron) elsewhere, but in this collection they also come with anecdotes and a bit of explanation that can be as entertaining as the stories themselves. I highly recommend it, not least because it is ideally structured to read in small doses, and so can fit into a busy schedule!

In general, I love the Callahan's Saloon series of books, as well as the related "Lady Sally" books. I confess that I do believe that I loved them MORE 20 years ago than I do now, but while they no longer have the same power to thrill me that they did when they could surprise me, and when I was a callow youth easily impressed, I generally still enjoy them. I distinctly remember finding this a superb read the last time I read it, to say nothing of the first time I read it.

So having just re-read it for the first time in years, I find myself somewhat baffled by the fact that I'm seriously disappointed in it. For one thing, there are only four very short "Callahan's Place" stories in it; the rest of the book, thin as it is, is filled in by random short stories, essays, and commentary on the various bits. It is transparently a weak attempt to fill in enough words to justify publishing a book when Robinson really didn't have the material handy to do so because his publisher had given him an advance and was demanding a return on his money. I sympathize, but that doesn't make the book worthwhile.

What's more, while the four Callahan's stories are perfectly serviceable, they aren't spectacular enough to carry the book by themselves, and of the other material, the only piece worth reading is "God Is An Iron". (Which just happens to be my all-time favorite Spider Robinson story, and may explain my previously elevated impression of this book, and is the only reason that I give it three stars instead of one or two.) I could certainly have done without the 26 page lecture on why we should all worship at the feet of Robert A. Heinlein, who I generally consider to be an adequate author, vastly overrated. I'm perfectly willing to grant Robinson the right to disagree with that assessment and consider me a heretic, and will concede that he makes some good points in defending Heinlein from some very silly slurs (as well as some weak points in defending him from some much fairer slurs) but the main point is, I don't consider his polemic on the subject appropriate material for what wants to be considered a collection of "Callahan's" stories.

So, like I said, I have mixed emotions on the subject of this book: when it's good, it's very good; when it isn't, it's a real waste of shelf space.

Spyder Robinson is great in this series. Never a dull moment and well worth the read.

This collection of Spider's stories has its ups and downs. You get four stories from Callahan's Place, four "SF" stories, and three non-fiction pieces. Let's break it down.
Callahan's stories: sad and weak, the puns lacked any conviction and now the regular patrons are so easily amused the stupidest pun/joke has them "rolling on the floors". 'Fivesight' deals with a lady showing up talking about her husband's premonitions. 'Dog Day Evening' - well a talking dog walks into a bar... 'Have you heard the one?' - okay well a (time)traveling salesman walks into a bar... 'Mirror/Mirror Off the Wall' deals with mirror dimensions and people crossing over. All in all, these were not real good. Fivesight being the best of them. 2 stars at best.
The SF stories improved the book much more. 'Soul Search' very interesting story on reincarnation meeting cryogenics. 'God is an Iron' possibly the most preachy story in the book; a man enters an apartment and finds a woman nearly comatosed from 'hardwiring' - receiving electric stimulus through implants. The kicker is why the guy is there. 'Local Champ' is Spider's foray into fantasy dealing with a Warlock - good thing he doesn't write fantasy regularly. 'Serpent's Teeth' excellent look into just where the world may be heading in terms of contractual marriages and child divorce. The SF stories get 4 stars.
Non-fiction - Spider includes of all things some book reviews he did and, I mean really, so what (hmmm a reviewer complaining about someone reviewing books?). Next in line is 'Rah Rah R.A.H' which is Spider's gleaming idol-worship of all things Heinlein, kinda sickening. And lastly is a speech full of bad puns and double talk he gives at a convention. 1 star and the book would have been better without these.

Overall - the SF was very good, the Callahan's were mediocre, and the non-fiction was worthless outside of Heinlein worshippers.