djl@ptsfb.UUCP (Dave Lampe) (09/14/85)
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_A _S_t_a_i_n_l_e_s_s _S_t_e_e_l _R_a_t _I_s _B_o_r_n
by
_H_a_r_r_y _H_a_r_r_i_s_o_n
This book is logically the first one in the saga of James Bolivar
diGriz (a.k.a. Slippery Jim). It follows him from the time he
turns 17 and is legally an adult until he is 19 or 20. James has
apparently always been a gifted crook although there are some
flashbacks to show us his not so fumbling beginnings. This book
shows us James turning from a crook into "The Stainless Steel
Rat".
The first part of the book takes place on the planet of his
birth, "Bit O'Heaven", which sounds remarkably like Secaucus New
Jersey. :-) Here James starts his life outside the law. Bit
O'Heaven is theoretically a frontier planet, but even here life has
stagnated and nothing has changed in a thousand years. James
refuses to fit the mold and decides that a life of crime is his
only chance for freedom. The second part takes place on the
planet Spiovente which is run by a sort of feudal mafia. This
part I found reminiscent of "Deathworld II".
There is very little new in this book that has not been said in
the other books in this series, or in the Deathworld series. But
if you enjoyed them, you will enjoy this one also. It is well
written and keeps the interest of the reader. My only complaint
is that I could not believe the ending. I thought it did not fit
with the characters as drawn througout the book. (If I said
anymore, I'd need a spoiler warning.) I would like to know if
anybody else found it as disconcerting as I did.
Dave Lampe @ Pacific Bell
{ucbvax,amd,zehntel,ihnp4,cbosgd}!dual!ptsfa!ptsfb!djl
(415) 823-2408