jps@rayssd.UUCP (John P. Schroeder) (12/24/85)
I've just finished reading Spider Robinsons latest "Night of Power". "Oh how the mighty have fallen". A recent posting to the net told how Mr. Robinson was selling stories, auto- graphs, and MacIntosh to keep his wifes dance company alive. This book looks like a rush job to get some quick cash. The story is about a interracial Canadian couple that come to NYC in the late '90's to give the aging black dancer (sound familiar) wife a last chance to perform in the big time. The brilliant designer (entrepreneur engineer) and genius daughter by previous marriage tag along. While there, an intricately contrived race riot starts. The people that have started the riot intend to hold Manhatten hostage until the U.S. cedes a black homeland. The family is caught in the middle, of the whole thing and their love and loyalties are tested. Technically, I thought the book was very good. Spider, writes some excellent scenes. The detail in certain points makes for some good reading. Unfortunately, his themes are getting stale. "Night of Power" has to many elements of "Star Dancer" and "Mindkiller" to be really interesting overall. Maybe somebody who reads less of the author will find it better. In addition, the story rushes to a lame conclusion. After chapters on American urban decay, and racism, the author (or editor) realizes he's on top of the 300 page paperback limit, and then wraps it up. The detail that marks the earlier chapters is wasted, as the main characters soliloquize, and third person narration tries to fill in the gaps. Its really to bad, that a book that started off so well, turns turns into just another "pulp" novel.
jps@rayssd.UUCP (John P. Schroeder) (12/24/85)
I've just finished reading Spider Robinsons latest "Night of Power". "Oh how the mighty have fallen". A recent posting to the net told how Mr. Robinson was selling stories, auto- graphs, and MacIntosh to keep his wifes dance company alive. This book looks like a rush job to get some quick cash. The story is about a interracial Canadian couple that come to NYC in the late '90's to give the aging black dancer (sound familiar) wife a last chance to perform in the big time. The brilliant designer (entrepreneur engineer) and genius daughter by previous marriage tag along. While there, an intricately contrived race riot starts. The people that have started the riot intend to hold Manhatten hostage until the U.S. cedes a black homeland. The family is caught in the middle, of the whole thing and their love and loyalties are tested. Technically, I thought the book was very good. Spider, writes some excellent scenes. The detail in certain points makes for some good reading. Unfortunately, his themes are getting stale. "Night of Power" has to many elements of "Star Dancer" and "Mindkiller" to be really interesting overall. Maybe somebody who reads less of the author will find it better. In addition, the story rushes to a lame conclusion. After chapters on American urban decay, and racism, the author (or editor) realizes he's on top of the 300 page paperback limit, and then wraps it up. The detail that marks the earlier chapters is wasted, as the main characters soliloquize, and third person narration tries to fill in the gaps. Its really to bad, that a book that started off so well, turns into just another "pulp" novel.
kathy@gsg.UUCP (Kathryn Smith) (12/27/85)
I haven't read "Night of Power," and probably won't. I heard the author read the first chapter or so of it at last year's World Fantasy Convention, and it sounded thoroughly depressing. However, he also promised that his next book after that would be another Callahan's collection. Kathryn Smith (...decvax!gsg!kathy) General Systems Group, Inc Salem, NH
lee@doc (12/29/85)
I, too was disappointed in Spider Robinson's "Night of Power". He
is one of my favorite authors, I especially like the Callahan's
stories. It was a real struggle to get through this one, it had
some good points but on the whole it was a not at all an enjoy-
able book. I don't know if it was on purpose or subconcious, but
this book read like Robert Heinlein trying to write about a race
riot. The character Michael reminds me very much of Michael
Valentine Smith from "Stranger In A Strange Land". The pre-
occupation with sex also reads like Heinlein's. There are two
references in the book to Heinlein and I know that Robinson is a
big RAH fan.
"Oh, intercourse the penguin!!"
Lee Cochenour
allegra!convex!ctvax!trsvax!doc!lee