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)

best book ever by a dead man

spider Robinson is one of the all-time greats he was the only one who could have done this book Justice

very good book

having read heineland for decades, I truly enjoyed this new book and having Robinson read. it was excellent

More a Spider novel than a Heinlein one

The introduction says that the Heinlein estate found an outline for a story. Know that IS what it is. It is a Spider Robinson story using Heinleins ideas. Complaining it isn't a heinlein novel is useless. Now as for the story... if you like Spider you will like it.

He could do a better job reading but its certainly passable.

BRVO!

First things first. Robert Heinlein is not Spider Robinson or vice versa. That little blurb about "nomination" is the stupidest thing I've ever heard, and it doesn't pay apropriate tribute to either author.

That being said,this book is just Heinleinesque enough to deserve his name in the title, but it is definitely written by Spider Robinson. Puns both bad and good abound. Marijuana and other chemicals are widely used by the characters, there are a few dirty words. The hero is a musician. In all of these regards the book is very Spider Robinsonesque.

The Heinleinesque part of "Variable Star" is that in many ways this is a rewritten version of "Time for the Stars". Not that this is a bad thing. It is never bad to take on an original idea and either improve it or twist it.

As for the book itself I really enjoyed it. I loved it. I thought Spider Robinson did a great job. This is a book true to its form, and I for one, want another; A sequel.

The only problem that I have with "Variable Star" is that the ending left too many unanswered questions. Do the Colonists make it to Bravo? What colony worlds end up being destroyed by radiation storms? What ever becomes of Conrad of Conrad? What happens to the little monk? And most importantly, who are the mysterious alien enemies to mankind? I demand another book. Or two or three. However many books it takes to fill out the plot.

As for the narration. The author did a good job except for his singing. Not so much a bad singing voice I suppose, nor even a bad song, but maybe the song goes better with the accompanyment of music. Accapella just didn't cut it. Besides the song, the narrarator does an excellent job. At least as well or better than his other two narrations. Except Spider Robinson should have given "Callahan an Irish brougue in Callahan's Legacy." I Haven't quite forgiven that one yet, but he did a fine job on "Rocket Ship Galileo", and he has done a fine job on this narration. BRAVO!

Stick to the Day Job

First of all the narration was poor. Just as in "Rocketship Galileo" Spider sounds like he is mumbling with rocks in his mouth. So, that definately distracts from the book. Just a hint for Spider, stick to the day job, singing is not a forte and also distracts from enjoyment of the book.

Now, about this being the completion of a Heinlein work - NO WAY. There was obvious use of some of the Heinlein word choices and techniques. But, the book in no way could be considered at the Heinlein level. Heinlein had an amazing grasp of what were, in his time, cutting edge technologies and he took great pains to clearly describe these in his books. This book didn't even try to do this. Just when you thought that the author would, he would gloss over anything that started to touch on technical detail, since that would just prove his incompetence in this area.

Heinlein also used his books to experiment with ideas in the way people interact socially. Keeping in mind that that he was writing mostly in the 50's these ideas didn't just follow popular trends, he was out in front of the trends and ideas that became more clear and public in the 60's. Spider's book does none of this. At best he tries to mimic it by falling in with popular liberal ideas that are already out in the public media (for example his view on Iraq). But, he does nothing to push the envelope as Heinlein did.

Despite all these failings, it wasn't a bad book. It is entertaining. Just DO NOT expect to be reading Heinlein. You will be disappointed!

Nice new twist!

I enjoyed this book, very well narrated. Had a nice mix of Heinlein with some nice new twists. That is the great thing of having a work put together by 2 authors, you get the best of both worlds. I really enjoyed the new twist to the Heinlein style made with Spider's humor. Although that may be disturbing to some, I loved it! I really enjoyed the roomate/writer character too. You guys are right, a sequel will be necessary, the story seems to have been just cut off in a rush.

not bad

Don't be fooled, this is not a Heinlein story. It was briefly outlined by RAH, but written by Spider Robinson. It reads like a Spider story, not RAH. RAH wouldn't be caught dead displaying the levels of emotion that Spider Robinson can't help but virtually ooze with every phrase. I like spider, but his style is far more introspective than RAH. it was a decent listen, all the same.

Spider, look and see if Robert had any more ideas

I enjoy Spider Robinson's sorry stories way more than his books..... until now.

Like many geeks who grew up in the 80s. I wanted to start my own Callahan's, I wanted to find Mary and her lovely home, I wanted to fit in. Spider gave me hope that I could.

Robert Heinlein introduced me to the greatest man who never lived (Jubel Harshaw), and the greatest man who never dies (Woodrow Wilson Smith) and concepts about love and life that I thought were only mine.

Alas, Robert Heinlein refused to be Laurie Lazarus Long and crushed my dreams of one more story, and nearly 20 years later, Spider came in and brought me hope once again. Thanks Spider for a perfect job writing the "best Spider Robinson story based on Robert Heinlein's notes"

If your ever in Portland, I owe you a drink.

Thank you Spider Robinson!

If you like Robert A. Heinlein, this work by Spider Robinson will not disappoint you! Thank you Spider Robinson for giving us one last glimpse into the fadied past of a true grand master of SF, Robert A. Heinlein! I love this story for its simplicity and have listened to it twice now. You brought this story to life beautifully! I know Robert would be pleased that you have given us his fans one last gift from him, through you.

This story is fast paced and mostly believeable that an 18 year old boy would respond in these ways to some of these stimuli. Joel is a fine and indearing character. The humor and twists this tale takes was vary enjoyable.

The ending was more abrupt than I would have liked. So I was pleased to read that Spider Robinson will be writing 3 more book in this univers.

Spoiler Alert:

However, at its conclusion I am left thinking now Spider needs to write a couple of companion novels to tell the tale of how humanity deals with the threat from the unknown. I hope that the forth coming novels will show how Joel's life on the road to the stars serves as a guiding star and point of memory for humanity as they learn the ropes of this bold new universe. A man without a true community, beyond his small family and a few others along for the journey, that enables them to discover the threat and help humanity decide how to respond.

Well done

A well done project with some fascination plot twists that are surprising, although they do strwetch the boubds of credulity at various points.