Callahan's Key
   Spider Robinson
   (Associate Reviewer-D. H. BROWN)
  2001 Bantam Books NY USA
   ISBN: 0553580604
  Hardcover

The US orbiting defense system is bombarded by a freakish cluster of natural phenomena; its target is not just the US or the Earth: it is total & only one man can stop the devastation. Unfortunately he is unavailable so the job falls to bar owner Jake Stonebender & his wife Zoey with their superintelligent toddler Erin.

In a risable blend of good science fiction & bad puns Callahan's Key is the saga of a caravan of busses replete with ex-hippies & freaks; drugs; rock'n'roll; Robert Heinlein's wandering cat; a converted cop; a whorehouse parrot & the much misunderstood genius-inventor Nikola Tesla, our hero rumbles off to the rescue.

D. H. BROWN writes: What can I say about Spider Robinson? He's great! He started out writing for John W. Campbell in the Golden Age of Science Fiction & still hasn't stopped tickling our funny bones. One thing Spider Robinson does is elevate science fiction from the hard to the hearty. When you've dug your mind into one of his punable poopahs you'll either groan or laugh, he leaves you no choice.

In Callahan's Key we revisit the world of Mike Callahan's Gang. None of these characters are for the faint of heart. There is no middle ground you'll either like'em or you won't. If you don't it just means there's something wrong with you & we'll leave it at that!

What Heinlein started with The Cat Who Walks Through Walls, Spider Robinson takes to a whole new level. No wonder John W. Campbell said yes when so many others said no to this laudable punster.

If you want many hours of thoroughly enjoyable reading I encourage you to scratch around in the musty shelves of your library, amazon.com or wherever you might buy his award-winning works. They are literally unforgettable.

More from Spider Robinson: Telempath; Callahan's Crosstime Saloon; Stardance with Jeanne Robinson; Antinomy; The Best of All Possible Worlds; Time Travelers Strictly Cash; Mindkiller; Melancholy Elephants; Night of Power; Callahan's Secret; Time Pressure; Copyright Violation; True Minds; Starseed with Jeanne Robinson; Kill the Editor; Lady Slings the Booze; The Callahan Touch; Starmind with Jeanne Robinson; Off the Wall at Callahan's; Callahan's Legacy; Lifehouse; The Star Dancers with Jeanne Robinson; User Friendly & The Free Lunch.


(04/15/01)

D. H. BROWN
A RebeccasReads.com Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
D. H. BROWN is the author of the critically acclaimed HONOR DUE and the Citizens Warrior Series. The son of missionary parents and with the help his Uncle Sam, he has touched base in more than 40 countries.  In 1986 he produced the independent children's film Lessie's Rainbow.  During the late 80s and early 90s, he wrote the book Common Sense and delivered the seminars of the same name for the Community Action Network of Seattle (CAN).  While doing his early Vietnam recovery work, he counseled Veterans and spoke widely to men's groups in Washington state, and was a founder of The Lodge of the Wolf.

D. H. BROWN has worked as a Logistics and Weapons Specialist in Viet Nam; day laborer; Director of Security; Armored Car Driver; Police Officer; Professional Hunting Guide; Trapper; Dog Sledder; Homesteader; Truck Driver; General Contractor; Minister; Editor; Writer; Speaker; Restaurateur; Movie Producer; Antique Restoration Specialist; Personal Care Worker; PC Repair Specialist; Computer Instructor; Webmaster and Web Designer. "I write about what I know."

He lives deep in the Pacific Northwest rainforest with his wife, author and editor Rebecca and Buddy Dog, working on his next book.
Visit him at: www.dhbrownbooks.com