mike%bambi@mouton.ARPA (10/27/85)
From: Michael Caplinger <mike%bambi@mouton.ARPA> micro-review: worse than FRIDAY (less plot, less action, less motivation, less character development); better than NUMBER OF THE BEAST. None of the redeeming strangeness of JOB. Lots of references to other work, and because of that, RAH fans will enjoy it. Quite mediocre Heinlein. Wait for the paperback and read MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS again. *** Now for the spoilers. *** The first half or so of the book, things are looking up. The plot's not great, but you're in familiar territory and hoping Heinlein will do something with this return to one of his most successful worlds. Alas, he doesn't carry it off. I might as well tell you now - this book has plot elements (and characters) from NUMBER OF THE BEAST (and therefore from most other Heinlein, by transitivity). The consensus opinion is that this is a bad thing. The first half or so takes place in the universe of MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS, which we learn is the same universe as FRIDAY's. The speculation that MISTRESS's universe was the same as that of THE ROLLING STONES (there were only a few hints in MISTRESS) is also pretty well wrapped up. Other than that, I'm not sure what to say. The second half of the book reads a lot like a slightly tightened up version of the last third of NUMBER OF THE BEAST - which isn't much of a recommendation. And the ending is fragmentary at best. Remember all those author blurbs on FRIDAY? Like Harlan Ellison applauding the return of classic RAH? Well, there isn't ONE blurb from anybody on CAT. Seems likely that no one could write one in all honesty. This book is worth reading only by diehard RAH fans. At best, you'll want to read MISTRESS and THE ROLLING STONES again afterwards. Mike Caplinger mike@bellcore.arpa ihnp4!bambi!mike