Variable Star

By: Robert A. Heinlein, Spider Robinson

Narrated by: Spider Robinson

Length: 11 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

At his death in 1988, Robert A. Heinlein left a legacy of novels and short stories that almost single-handedly defined modern science fiction. But one of Heinlein's masterpieces was never finished. In 1955, he began work on Variable Star, a powerful and passionate tale of two young lovers driven apart by pride, power, and the vastness of interstellar time and space. Then he set it aside to focus on other novellas.

The detailed outline and notes he created for this project lay forgotten for decades, only to be rediscovered almost a half century later. Now the Heinlein estate has authorized award-winning author Spider Robinson to expand that outline into a full-length novel. The result is vintage Heinlein, faithful in style and spirit to the Grand Master's original vision.

©2006 The Robert A. and Virginia Heinlein Prize Trust and Spider Robinson (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"I'd nominate Spider Robinson as the new Robert Heinlein." ( New York Times)

A visit from old, but beautiful and wise, friends

I started reading this when originally released, but went thru a traumatic event and put it down before I could finish it. Then after everything had settled, I thought I had finished it. What a delight to get half way thru and realize this was new content authored by two old friends from different generations. Thank you for the story! You can see the seed of several RAH stories in this one, but it is like going home again.

Anger is Fear in Disguise

The first six chapters are very funny and sound a lot like something written in 1955. RH's very conservative values really come through and he takes a stab at nepotism which I really like. The whole book is an internal monologue of the main character.

When the main character leaves Earth the book take a drastic change in style, mood and values. There is no more laughing, the language becomes crude, and it becomes a soap opera. There still are some good parts but it is no where near as good as the beginning.

I am not a big fan of publishing material in an authors' name after he is gone. RH started this in 1955, yet he never finished it and he never tried to publish it. There had to be a reason. Maybe he did not want his name on something until he was happy with it. He also never in his life had a co author and there was probably a reason for that. Robert A. Heinlein means something when it is on the cover of a book and RH may have not wanted that soiled in any way.

I did give the book four stars, because of the first six chapters and chapters 17 and 18.

My favorite Heinlein books are: The Green Hills of Earth, Starman Jones, Double Star, Have Spacesuit Will Travel and Starship Trooper.

Re-cycled? Pre-cycled? It's definitely unique.

I've been reading Heinlein since I was a kid in the 60s, so a chance to listen to this book again and hear Spider's reading of it was something I looked forward to. The thing is, authors are not voice actors, so you have to take that into account and grade them on a curve. His singing was enthusiastic - after all, he did get David Crosby to write that song for him - but it was the vocal equivalent of Elaine's dancing in "Seinfeld." Hence, a drop of one star.

Something interesting to note. The idea of the meet-cute between hero and heroine on the dance floor followed by them whisking away to a secret home is the opening of a different Heinlein novel - The Number of the Beast. Authors will recycle ideas and use them elsewhere. I seem to remember a time-dilation love story as well in the Future History anthology.

Overall, I liked it. The plot was Heinlein-lite, but the writing style was definitely Spider. As expected, one part adventure, and then three parts hemming and hawing over why and whether that was a good idea. It's definitely an acquired taste - like fruit on pizza (pineapples and jalapenos - trust me on this). If you can get past that singing early on, it's definitely worth a listen.

Not Heinlein, but a great tribute

If you listen to this as a Heinlein book (as I started doing) you'll likely be disappointed. If you listen to it as what it is, a Spider Robinson book based on Heinlein's notes, (as I ended up doing) you'll probably love it.

Spider Robinson and the Heinlein Foundation didn't intend this to be a Heinlein book, so don't blame either if you try to make it that - it's pure Spider Robinson; however, I think he captures the the spirit of Heinlein throughout.

And yeah, he sings a bit, but come on it's not THAT terrible. Suck it up and just deal with the minute or two and enjoy the overall story. And yeah, there are the terrible Spider Robinson puns, but the same goes for those.

I did find one lengthy and very out of context current cultural reference extremely annoying. Almost to the point I stopped listening (I love what it is based on, but if you recognize it, you'll know what I mean); however, upon finding out Spider is now a Canadian citizen, I forgave him as the item in question should be a Canadian national treasure.

Bottom line, keep in mind what it really is and it's a great book.

enjoyable easy book

Heinlein's name drove the decision to purchase this book even though I knew that it was really written by Spider Robinson. The story is simple. The ending is happy, so to speak. All in all - I enjoyed listening to the story but it's not something I would go back again and again, like some other Heinlein's books.

Great audio book

I'm a huge Heilein fan, and Spider made be very happy with this book. I'm just sad that there won't be any more Heinlein books. Now I'm going to check out some of Spider's other books.

What a surprise…

This felt like real Heinlein. If you are a fan, it is a must read. It is also contemporary, which is nice, since much of Heinlein has aged awkwardly. I enjoyed the story. The science sucks...but otherwise this was interesting, enjoyable, and funny.

Spider Robinson Lives Up to His Billing

Yes, he really IS the true successor to Heinlein. I've known so since reading "Lady Slings the Booze". I remember checking the cover several times to make sure that it wasn't actually R.A.H. who had been the author. When I read the description of the background of this book, my reaction was "Well, who else could even come close?" I was not dissapointed. This is vintage Heinlein presented by his top pupil. Well done, Spider Robinson, or as they say in the Navy, Bravo Zulu!

A masterpiece! By 2 great authors RAH

Great story! Excellent psychology & science definably a repeat read. Spider Robinson weaves an excellent tale w Robert Heinlein. Thank you.

This is my 2nd listen of this book. It's a fun but

fast pace, for Heinlein would be the best craft in the 1950 to ? It was cute.