Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber

Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
adventure!

https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
--
My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

In article <utp7bl$d3l$1@reader1.panix.com>,
jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>
> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
> adventure!
>
> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references

So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
have read?

--
"We have advanced to new and surprising levels of bafflement."
Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan describes progress in _Komarr_.
�-----------------------------------------------------
Robert Woodward robertaw@drizzle.com

In article <robertaw-178EDB.09533824032024@news.individual.net>,
Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
>In article <utp7bl$d3l$1@reader1.panix.com>,
> jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
>
>> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>>
>> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
>> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
>> adventure!
>>
>> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
>
>So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>have read?
>
Probably a Brian Herbert novel.
--
My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

On 24/03/2024 12.08, James Nicoll wrote:
> In article <robertaw-178EDB.09533824032024@news.individual.net>,
> Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
>> In article <utp7bl$d3l$1@reader1.panix.com>,
>> jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
>>
>>> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>>>
>>> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
>>> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
>>> adventure!
>>>
>>> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
>>
>> So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>> have read?
>>
> Probably a Brian Herbert novel.

That's who immediately came to my mind. It's not really fair in my case,
since, as far as I know, he's the only son of a famous author that I've
read.

<https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?27552>

--
Michael F. Stemper
Deuteronomy 10:18-19

Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
>
>So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>have read?

Are Dune novels off the table for this one?
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

In article <utpnk5$ftng$2@dont-email.me>,
Michael F. Stemper <michael.stemper@gmail.com> wrote:
>On 24/03/2024 12.08, James Nicoll wrote:
>> In article <robertaw-178EDB.09533824032024@news.individual.net>,
>> Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
>>> In article <utp7bl$d3l$1@reader1.panix.com>,
>>> jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
>>>
>>>> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>>>>
>>>> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
>>>> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
>>>> adventure!
>>>>
>>>> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
>>>
>>> So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>>> have read?
>>>
>> Probably a Brian Herbert novel.
>
>That's who immediately came to my mind. It's not really fair in my case,
>since, as far as I know, he's the only son of a famous author that I've
>read.
>
><https://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/pe.cgi?27552>

There's Joe Hill but I've not read him. Heard good things about his
books, though.

I like Rothman's The World is Round.
--
My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

In article <utpnrc$3ah$1@panix2.panix.com>,
Scott Dorsey <kludge@panix.com> wrote:
>Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
>>
>>So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>>have read?
>
>Are Dune novels off the table for this one?

My 10th anniversary of the last fuck awful Dune book I'd ever have to read
went by in March, I think.
--
My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
>
>So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>have read?

Alexey Tolstoy doesn't count since even though he claimed to be the son of
the Count, he probably wasn't. And Pliny the Younger turns out only to be
the nephew of Pliny the Elder, not the son.

Dorothy Parker writes:
"Oh, I have worked and seldom cease
At Dumas pere and Dumas fils
Alas, I cannot make me care
For Dumas fils and Dumas pere."

which my father would recite when I was a kid using "Pernod fils and Pernod
pere." But personally I liked the son's work.

I never read anything by Charles Dickens Jr. and Victor Appleton Jr. was
likely the same team of ghostwriters as his father.

What about Martin Amis's work?
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

On 3/24/2024 1:41 PM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
> Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
>>
>> So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>> have read?
>
> Alexey Tolstoy doesn't count since even though he claimed to be the son of
> the Count, he probably wasn't. [snip]

I don't think it matters whether Alexey Tolstoy was Count Nikolai
Tolstoy's biological father. Nikolai didn't write fiction.

In article <utq0h8$i17q$1@dont-email.me>,
Ahasuerus <ahasuerus@email.com> wrote:
>On 3/24/2024 1:41 PM, Scott Dorsey wrote:
>> Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>>> have read?
>>
>> Alexey Tolstoy doesn't count since even though he claimed to be the son of
>> the Count, he probably wasn't. [snip]
>
>I don't think it matters whether Alexey Tolstoy was Count Nikolai
>Tolstoy's biological father. Nikolai didn't write fiction.

So many counts, so little time!
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the
still waters.
He restores my soul: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His
Name's sake.
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I will fear no evil,

for You are with me.
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:
You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Few novels have sources of inspiration that are quite so obvious.

The character walks though the valley of the shadow of death, and yet
comes out of it alive, but in a body with the wrong sex.

Ah, well; Heinlein is a good place to take inspiration from.

John Savard

On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 12:46:45 -0000 (UTC), jdnicoll@panix.com (James
Nicoll) wrote:

>Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>
>Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
>to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
>adventure!
>
>https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references

Also, Amazon.ca did indeed try to spell check Justin Lieber to Justin
Bieber. But it's easy to get past that.

However, the results for the right name didn't include this book, even
though the entry for it

https://www.amazon.ca/Beyond-Rejection-Justin-Leiber/dp/B000FMIA7S/

did have the right author's name.

John Savard

In article <utpmlu$t1p$1@reader1.panix.com>,
jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:

> In article <robertaw-178EDB.09533824032024@news.individual.net>,
> Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
> >In article <utp7bl$d3l$1@reader1.panix.com>,
> > jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
> >
> >> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
> >>
> >> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
> >> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
> >> adventure!
> >>
> >> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
> >
> >So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
> >have read?
> >
> Probably a Brian Herbert novel.

I haven't read any of the Pern continuations written by McCaffery's son
Todd. I have wondered how good/bad they are.

--
"We have advanced to new and surprising levels of bafflement."
Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan describes progress in _Komarr_.
�-----------------------------------------------------
Robert Woodward robertaw@drizzle.com

In article <robertaw-D15AC8.10183725032024@news.individual.net>,
Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
>In article <utpmlu$t1p$1@reader1.panix.com>,
> jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
>
>> In article <robertaw-178EDB.09533824032024@news.individual.net>,
>> Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
>> >In article <utp7bl$d3l$1@reader1.panix.com>,
>> > jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
>> >
>> >> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>> >>
>> >> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
>> >> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
>> >> adventure!
>> >>
>> >> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
>> >
>> >So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>> >have read?
>> >
>> Probably a Brian Herbert novel.
>
>I haven't read any of the Pern continuations written by McCaffery's son
>Todd. I have wondered how good/bad they are.
>
No more unreadable than any late McCaffrey but also not any more readable.

--
My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

On 25/03/2024 14:00, John Savard wrote:
> On Sun, 24 Mar 2024 12:46:45 -0000 (UTC), jdnicoll@panix.com (James
> Nicoll) wrote:
>
>> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>>
>> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
>> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
>> adventure!
>>
>> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
>
> Also, Amazon.ca did indeed try to spell check Justin Lieber to Justin
> Bieber. But it's easy to get past that.
>
> However, the results for the right name didn't include this book, even
> though the entry for it
>
> https://www.amazon.ca/Beyond-Rejection-Justin-Leiber/dp/B000FMIA7S/
>
> did have the right author's name.

The SFF family spelling is "LEIBER". It catches
out a lot of readers.

And while I'm picking: James's article says
"Ismael" throughout for the protagonist's name -
when they aren't going by Patricia - and that
seems to be agreed on. But in the teaser here,
it's Ishmael.

Yes, the /title/ of the review is, "Also, There
Are Moby Dick References".

This doesn't appear to be a line from a song.
Did those stop and I didn't notice?

On 3/24/2024 1:41 PM, James Nicoll wrote:
> In article <utpnrc$3ah$1@panix2.panix.com>,
> Scott Dorsey <kludge@panix.com> wrote:
>> Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>>> have read?
>>
>> Are Dune novels off the table for this one?
>
> My 10th anniversary of the last fuck awful Dune book I'd ever have to read
> went by in March, I think.

You're the skipping 'Heroes of Dune' tetrology, by Brian Herbert and
Kevin J. Anderson? Book 3, "Princess of Dune", came out last October,
and you have at least one more dose of duney Duness on the way.

pt

In article <utsll6$19kqc$2@dont-email.me>,
Cryptoengineer <petertrei@gmail.com> wrote:
>On 3/24/2024 1:41 PM, James Nicoll wrote:
>> In article <utpnrc$3ah$1@panix2.panix.com>,
>> Scott Dorsey <kludge@panix.com> wrote:
>>> Robert Woodward <robertaw@drizzle.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>>>> have read?
>>>
>>> Are Dune novels off the table for this one?
>>
>> My 10th anniversary of the last fuck awful Dune book I'd ever have to read
>> went by in March, I think.
>
>You're the skipping 'Heroes of Dune' tetrology, by Brian Herbert and
>Kevin J. Anderson? Book 3, "Princess of Dune", came out last October,
>and you have at least one more dose of duney Duness on the way.

Nobody is paying me to read them so I won't. I might turn down the
money if offered.

--
My reviews can be found at http://jamesdavisnicoll.com/
My tor pieces at https://www.tor.com/author/james-davis-nicoll/
My Dreamwidth at https://james-davis-nicoll.dreamwidth.org/
My patreon is at https://www.patreon.com/jamesdnicoll

On 3/24/2024 11:53 AM, Robert Woodward wrote:
> In article <utp7bl$d3l$1@reader1.panix.com>,
> jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
>
>> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>>
>> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
>> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
>> adventure!
>>
>> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
>
> So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
> have read?

I enjoyed the Heinlein book that Spider Robinson finished, "Variable Star".
https://www.amazon.com/Variable-Star-Tor-Science-Fiction/dp/0765351684/

Lynn

In article <utsuim$1bofd$2@dont-email.me>,
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>On 3/24/2024 11:53 AM, Robert Woodward wrote:
>> In article <utp7bl$d3l$1@reader1.panix.com>,
>> jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
>>
>>> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>>>
>>> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
>>> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
>>> adventure!
>>>
>>> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
>>
>> So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>> have read?
>
>I enjoyed the Heinlein book that Spider Robinson finished, "Variable Star".
> https://www.amazon.com/Variable-Star-Tor-Science-Fiction/dp/0765351684/
>

Interesting! Somehow I never heard of that. I'll put it on the wish list.
--
columbiaclosings.com
What's not in Columbia anymore..

On 3/25/2024 8:54 PM, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:
> In article <utsuim$1bofd$2@dont-email.me>,
> Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On 3/24/2024 11:53 AM, Robert Woodward wrote:
>>> In article <utp7bl$d3l$1@reader1.panix.com>,
>>> jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
>>>
>>>> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>>>>
>>>> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
>>>> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
>>>> adventure!
>>>>
>>>> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
>>>
>>> So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>>> have read?
>>
>> I enjoyed the Heinlein book that Spider Robinson finished, "Variable Star".
>> https://www.amazon.com/Variable-Star-Tor-Science-Fiction/dp/0765351684/
>>
>
> Interesting! Somehow I never heard of that. I'll put it on the wish list.

There were two books found after Heinlein's death. The first was
"Variable Star" which was unfinished, an early work, and Spider Robinson
finished it. It was published in 2006 I think.

The other book is "The Pursuit of the Pankera: A Parallel Novel About
Parallel Universes" which was completed before "The Number Of The Beast"
and put into Heinlein's things for some reason. It was found and
published in 2019. I have bought it but not read it yet as I am
thinking about how reread the books starting with "I Will Fear No Evil".
I read "The Number Of The Beast" back in 1983 or 1985.
https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Pankera-Parallel-Novel-Universes/dp/1647100291/
and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Number_of_the_Beast_(novel)

Lynn

In article <uttkh9$1k8de$1@dont-email.me>,
Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>On 3/25/2024 8:54 PM, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:
>> In article <utsuim$1bofd$2@dont-email.me>,
>> Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> On 3/24/2024 11:53 AM, Robert Woodward wrote:
>>>> In article <utp7bl$d3l$1@reader1.panix.com>,
>>>> jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>>>>>
>>>>> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
>>>>> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
>>>>> adventure!
>>>>>
>>>>> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
>>>>
>>>> So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>>>> have read?
>>>
>>> I enjoyed the Heinlein book that Spider Robinson finished, "Variable Star".
>>> https://www.amazon.com/Variable-Star-Tor-Science-Fiction/dp/0765351684/
>>>
>>
>> Interesting! Somehow I never heard of that. I'll put it on the wish list.
>
>There were two books found after Heinlein's death. The first was
>"Variable Star" which was unfinished, an early work, and Spider Robinson
>finished it. It was published in 2006 I think.
>
>The other book is "The Pursuit of the Pankera: A Parallel Novel About
>Parallel Universes" which was completed before "The Number Of The Beast"
>and put into Heinlein's things for some reason. It was found and
>published in 2019. I have bought it but not read it yet as I am
>thinking about how reread the books starting with "I Will Fear No Evil".
> I read "The Number Of The Beast" back in 1983 or 1985.
>
>https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Pankera-Parallel-Novel-Universes/dp/1647100291/
>and
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Number_of_the_Beast_(novel)
>
>Lynn
>
*That* one I read:

====
The Pursuit of the Pankera: A Parallel Novel About Parallel Universes
by Robert A. Heinlein
https://amzn.to/2WCNafL

I read _The Number of the Beast_ back in the day. Honestly I don't
recall it all that well, but I know I found it underwhelming, with
some good parts, and then a lot of bickering about "lifeboat rules"
and "white mutinies" followed by an ending that didn't really address
the threat that was the impetus to the plot.

For some reason, while he was writing TNOTB, Heinlein was also
writing _The Pursuit of the Pankera_, using the same characters and
starting point while taking the story in a different direction.
Perhaps he was making a point about the Many Worlds theory, alternate
history and characters who more than half suspect they are fictional.
Again, for some reason, he decided not to publish _The Pursuit of
the Pankera_ after TNOTB. In general I would say he should have
done the opposite and kept TNOTB in the trunk. TPOTP is a much
more fun book, not as bogged down in blind alleys as Beast, and
spends more time in interesting places.

I am struck, as well, by something I totally missed when reading
The Number Of The Beast back in the day. Despite all the invocations
of Doc Smith, I somehow did not see that at least the first third
of the book is a recapitulation of Smith's _The Skylark of Space_
(the first space opera): Two bantering couples, a brilliant scientist
and man of action, a deadly menace and a wonderful new conveyance
to unimagined worlds. To take it even a bit further, Smith was to
some extent lampooning Burroughs, with his naked, martial Martians,
so that the Skylark's first destination "Osnome" is modeled on (and
sounds like) "Barsoom". In Pankera Heinlein goes to the original
but even has the Earth party do the doubletalk grandiose introductions
to the natives that Smith pioneered.

The book opens at a campus party where Zebadiah John Carter, a man
with many escapades in his past who nonetheless enjoys playing the
campus dilettante, quickly meets Deja Thoris Burroughs, the young
woman who will be his bride, her brilliant mathematician father
Jake, who has been desperately trying to get in touch with him, and
somebody who is trying to kill them all, including the party's
hostess, Hilda Corners, who unknown to Carter (or to her) is his
imminent mother-in-law.

Making a quick escape in Zeb's flying car (we are at some indefinite
point in the future), the foursome quickly tie the knots in whirlwind
courtships and go to ground to try and figure out what is going on.

What that is, is that apparently some nonhuman species has infested
the Earth and has it violently in for anybody with enough mathematical
talent to figure out where they came from, or how to escape. Jake
had, in fact, been seeking out Zeb under the assumption (for
complicated reasons) that he was also a brilliant mathematician.
He's not. But he *does* have the practical engineering skill to
adapt Seaton's (ah, I mean Burroughs's) discoveries into a
multiuniversal drive which will fit in _Gay Deceiver_, the
aforementioned flying car.

With that barely done, the foursome bugs out just in advance of a
nuclear strike on their bolt-hole and decides that Earth is no
longer safe. A few adjustments and misadventures behind them, they
find themselves at Mars in a parallel universe and decide to take
a rest stop.. To find themselves on Barsoom, hosted by Carthoris,
Thuvia and the original Dejah Thoris (the warlord, whom Zeb has put
out is his cousin is off on adventures). Of course trouble has a
way of following one (or four)...

Although Zeb is essentially the main character, the story is told
in alternating first person sections, narrated by each of Zeb,
Hilda, Deety & Jake. This works pretty well, though Deety has an
"I'm X, I am" tic that can be annoying, and each of the characters
is distinct.

This was a fun book, better, as I said, than "the original". My
main criticism would be that he still doesn't totally "stick" the
ending, though it is better than TNOTB. After a whole book of
pretty much "real time" adventures, we suddenly go into fast forward
mode where there are a bunch of kids we never get to know, and the
foursome go off on a genocidal tear (that is not a good look for
them), before getting it under control and deciding to actually
address the threat seriously. And we are just about to see that
happen (with a whole bunch of cast additions that we have our
suspicions about, but which said are never wholly addressed) when
the book ends. Granted we know that they are going to carry the
day, and all live through the battle, but it's a bit of an anti-climax,
and still never really addresses the underpinnings of the threat.

Also, be aware this is late period Heinlein, so you have ideas on
sexual liberation from a man born in 1907, and who has very firm
ideas on sex roles. Of course, I think he turned it up to 11 to
make some heads explode on purpose, but yeah, those heads are going
to explode. (Mine just hurt a bit).

As for the trunk-novel status of the book.. There were a few places
where there were some obvious needs for edits (one chapter was
almost 100% dialogue for instance, so that apparently Heinlein
forgot whose chapter it was and dropped into third person at one
point), and a few spots that could have used another draft (Carthoris
came across looking too naive at one point, for instance), but in
general this is well flowing, sure-footed Heinlein prose.

If you are asking yourself: Did Lazarus Long show up like he did
in TNOTB? The answer is.. maybe.

On the Late Heinlein scale, this is closer to _Friday_ than anything
else, so if you detest LH, you may still like this one. I did.

--
columbiaclosings.com
What's not in Columbia anymore..

On 3/26/2024 12:56 AM, Lynn McGuire wrote:
> On 3/25/2024 8:54 PM, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:
>> In article <utsuim$1bofd$2@dont-email.me>,
>> Lynn McGuire  <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> On 3/24/2024 11:53 AM, Robert Woodward wrote:
>>>> In article <utp7bl$d3l$1@reader1.panix.com>,
>>>>    jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>>>>>
>>>>> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
>>>>> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
>>>>> adventure!
>>>>>
>>>>> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
>>>>
>>>> So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that
>>>> you
>>>> have read?
>>>
>>> I enjoyed the Heinlein book that Spider Robinson finished, "Variable
>>> Star".
>>>
>>> https://www.amazon.com/Variable-Star-Tor-Science-Fiction/dp/0765351684/
>>>
>>
>> Interesting!  Somehow I never heard of that.  I'll put it on the wish
>> list.
>
> There were two books found after Heinlein's death.  The first was
> "Variable Star" which was unfinished, an early work, and Spider Robinson
> finished it.  It was published in 2006 I think.
>
> The other book is "The Pursuit of the Pankera: A Parallel Novel About
> Parallel Universes" which was completed before "The Number Of The Beast"
> and put into Heinlein's things for some reason.  It was found and
> published in 2019.  I have bought it but not read it yet as I am
> thinking about how reread the books starting with "I Will Fear No Evil".
>  I read "The Number Of The Beast" back in 1983 or 1985.
>
> https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Pankera-Parallel-Novel-Universes/dp/1647100291/
> and
>    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Number_of_the_Beast_(novel)

You're forgetting 'For Us, the Living', written in 1938, prior to his
first published work. It was literally found in a box in his garage
after his death.

pt

On Mon, 25 Mar 2024 23:56:07 -0500, Lynn McGuire
<lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:

<snip>

>There were two books found after Heinlein's death. The first was
>"Variable Star" which was unfinished, an early work, and Spider Robinson
>finished it. It was published in 2006 I think.

There's also the non-fiction "Tramp Royale" in which RAH pioneers the
slightly snarky travel book decades before the likes of Bill Bryson
and his successors.

I enjoyed it to a point, and kept forgetting when it was written, so
was initally surprised that he didn't mention Sydney Opera House, then
realised it was then a couple of decades in the future.

I could have done without the final chapter in which he advises the
reader that they might as well travel the USA as its sights are better
than anything the rest of the world could offer.

There was at least one (for me) laugh out loud moment, when he
mentions that "Ticky" (Virginia H) was terrified of insects - with the
exception of butterflies which she regarded as "self-propelling
flowers",

--
Jerry Brown

A cat may look at a king
(but probably won't bother)

Jerry Brown <jerry@jwbrown.co.uk.invalid> writes:

> There's also the non-fiction "Tramp Royale" in which RAH pioneers the
> slightly snarky travel book decades before the likes of Bill Bryson
> and his successors.

I guess you could say he pioneered the slightly snarky travel book, but
only because Mark Twain pioneered the *extremely* snarky travel book in
the previous century.

The title "Tramp Royale" may even be a wink to "A Tramp Abroad"

> I could have done without the final chapter in which he advises the
> reader that they might as well travel the USA as its sights are better
> than anything the rest of the world could offer.

A deeply Heinlein attitude, although I agree that some Americans have a
weird tendency to not view it as a "real" vacation unless an ocean was
crossed.

john

In article <l6eo67FmaumU1@mid.individual.net>,
Ted Nolan <tednolan> <tednolan> wrote:
>In article <utsuim$1bofd$2@dont-email.me>,
>Lynn McGuire <lynnmcguire5@gmail.com> wrote:
>>On 3/24/2024 11:53 AM, Robert Woodward wrote:
>>> In article <utp7bl$d3l$1@reader1.panix.com>,
>>> jdnicoll@panix.com (James Nicoll) wrote:
>>>
>>>> Beyond Rejection (Beyond, volume 1) by Justin Leiber
>>>>
>>>> Revived in the body of a mind-wiped woman, Ishmael Forth is challenged
>>>> to adapt to new circumstances. But first, a two-fisted interstellar
>>>> adventure!
>>>>
>>>> https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/also-there-are-moby-dick-references
>>>
>>> So what was the worst novel written by a son of a famous author that you
>>> have read?
>>
>>I enjoyed the Heinlein book that Spider Robinson finished, "Variable Star".
>> https://www.amazon.com/Variable-Star-Tor-Science-Fiction/dp/0765351684/
>>
>
>Interesting! Somehow I never heard of that. I'll put it on the wish list.

I wasn't impressed by it at all, but I think it's worth reading just for
completeness.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."