The Callahan Chronicals

Having read all of Robinson's Callahan books from this one through Callahan's Key (available here on Audible), it was a pleasure to revisit these stories where the Callahan legend begins. New readers should not beleive Robinson when he says in the Forward (or "Backward" as he calls it) that there will be no more Callahan stories. He went on to write a number of other Callahan books between this one and "Key". They are all just as fun.

My only beef is with the narrator. The book is made up not so much of chapters as with interrelated short stories, yet the narrator makes the transition from the end of one into the beginning of the next without so much as a pause for a breath.

With luck, Robinson and Audible will see fit to add all the intervening books that fall between this one and Callahans Key.

If you are a fan of Science Fiction, Mysteries, puns, riddles, tall tales and just plain good story telling, I highly recommend this book.

I had never heard of Callahan's place. I downloaded it out of curiosity. Oh the puns, such groaners, but oh how I grew to love those mutants and misfits. I miss them already. I am going to listen to the next Callahan book, and then go back and listen to this one again and again.

I was totally unfamiliar with Spider and Callahan's place. I selected this book based on its rating and its length. One of the BEST decisions I ever made. I can't wait to listen to more of the Callahan saga.

You gotta get this one!!

If you're already a Callahan's regular you don't need any encouragement. If "The Place" is new to you, come on in, we've been waiting for you. What took you so long?

Barrett Whitener's reading does Spider's creations proud. Audible, thanks for finally getting the right strings pulled to bring Spider's books into the fold - MORE, MORE!

And, yes, as Spider once told Ben Bova - "apparently it is supposed to hit the fan"

I had never heard of Callahan's Place, mostly I bought this based on others reviews, and due to the legnth because I had a long road trip ahead of me. Listening to the first short story, I wondered if I had made the right decision, by the end of the first story (The Man with the Eyes) I was in love with Callahan's Place! I found myself sitting in my car just to hear the rest of the chapter. I also purchased the other one Spider Robbinson book that Audible has (Callahan's Key) and have listened to all 12 hours of that in record time as well. The characters are very loveable, and I found part of myself in each one. "Shared pain is lessened;
Shared joy is increased"

Enjoyed reading them as they where published and always wished to have them collected. The audio collection is a great success. I was entertained with each presentation.

Although I love science fiction, I don't read just everything and that's my only excuse for not having found Calahan's before. There are a lot of in jokes, many of which I get. This is for people who don't mind thinking about what they heard. I agree with a previous reviewer that the lack of breaks between stories is mildly irritating. The biggest drawback I had was that if I were reading it would be easy to go back over things like some of the riddles. Maybe Audible could have a link to an online addendum for visual jokes and riddles. The sections are wonderfully set up for the beginning of each story. There is a dark section that I might not listen to each time. You can't help but care about the characters. I will definately buy everything that Audible offers, and maybe even buy the books as well. Advantage to the audio version in that we get to hear a couple of the songs instead of just reading them. I guess that balances out not being able to see the riddles.

Consider that Heinlein's estate has chosen to allow Spider to write a book which was completely outlined and populated with characters but never actually fleshed out into a book. So this guy is good enough to be Heinlein's co-author.

Spider Robinson is not only a gifted science fiction author, he is a gifted humanist, and it shows in this book exceptionally. I never laughed so hard when listening to a book before. The reading of this version is excellent and I found a new appreciation for characters voices in interestingly and unique ways. I've read the entire series and can't recommend enough that if you enjoy science fiction, humor, and excellent stories you must listen/read this.

Very enjoyable; very unique.

My main interest in this book was because I already enjoy the series. The reading was a good one, though I could have done without the last author insert story. If you're already a fan of Spider's work, give it a try. If you're not a fan, I don't think audio is really the best format for your first experience.