Buying Time

My reactions to reading this book in 1990. Some spoilers follow.

Haldeman, in this novel, exhibits his trademark style: a fast-paced story of hard science and action told with a grace of sparse writing and cynical, wry, black humor. Here Haldeman tackles the immortal/longevity theme of sf. As usual with Haldeman, he has given thought to the complexities of his subject but doesn’t let that slow his narrative pace or clutter his style. The idea of a very complex life renewing treatment purchased every ten years at the cost of a million pounds or an entire fortune, whichever is more, is well worked out. Haldeman shows the Stileman Clinics as concentrating “immortal” derived wealth in their ends for social reform -- one possible show more solution to the problem of immortals accumulating huge amounts of wealth. Haldeman raises the interesting point that money, in the hands of “immortals” may lead, unlike “ephemeral” financing, to funding of long term projects like space colonization. Haldeman also addresses the problems of immortals cheating on their financial dealings. The Stileman Clinics tacitly ignore legalities so they can have repeat customers.

Haldeman deals with subtler aspects of immortality: the dangers inherent in making a fortune in only one way, the possibilities of multiple careers as protagonist Dallas Barr enjoys, and, most important and subtlest of all is the relationship of the immortals with each other and ephemerals. The immortals, as evidenced by Barr and Maria Marconi, carry on on-and-off relationships over decades. With Ephemerals they sometimes have the creepy realization they are the age of a person’s grandparent and will live on after their death.

There are other pleasures in the book. Haldeman talks of the financial conservatism of the immortals as well as the vision of others, of the complexity of the treatment which limits its application which limits population growth. I liked info maniac Eric Lundley, constant companion and brain-in-the box. The wild “anarchy” of Ceres was reminiscent of the American West. Haldeman writes of violence as a man who has seen it.

Haldeman uses typographical tricks of a limited nature and the “documentary” style of Haldeman’s literary idols John Dos Passos and John Brunner, a style I particularly enjoy and is particularly useful in sf.

The only flaw in this novel is the rather limited detail afforded villain Charles Briskin’s nefarious plans. It was interesting Sir Briskin was an economist with an ill-defined, vaguely explained plan for manipulation of world society. (I liked the wordly Barr not being at all interested in participating in conspiracies and slow to believe he is fighting one.) Briskin uses immortality as a way of ensuring subordinate loyalty. But the end is a bit rushed, and we don’t get much detail on Briskin’s plan. Barr and Marconi close the novel by stating the immortal existence has dimensions yet to be revealed.

I wish Haldeman would have pursed this world in future books. show less

A fun SF story about a well-thought out immortality and it's effect on personality, society, and financials. The book has plenty of story, action, and plot twists that keep it very interesting as the science is broken down. The characters are great, but don't hold too much personality. While it is a very good book, it is not as good as Forever War. SF fans should still check out this book though.

I'd read [b:The Forever War|21611|The Forever War (The Forever War, #1)|Joe Haldeman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386852511s/21611.jpg|423] in high school 30 years ago and there are parts of it that I still think of to this day. I have a feeling that I'll be thinking of this book for quite a while, too. The story seemed to be all over the place (but metaphorically as well as geographically), and I'm not entirely convinced that there weren't some sections that were just there to pad out the length. The book was published in 1990, and it's interesting to read about the FUTURE of 1995, 2015, etc, and how there are some basic tech that happened during that time that obviously the author couldn't/didn't anticipate (like cell phones show more and ubiquitous internet).
The core story is of 2 people on the run from people out to get them and the various adventures that they get into; nothing innovative there. The world-building is what set this story apart - that and the 2 methods of "immortality" that are explored. show less

I hugely enjoyed this book. There's a familiarity in the desperation to exisit past a normal mortal span. That fact that this is a luxury afforded only by the super rich makes the tale even more believable. The twists and turns of the story fueled by the resentmant for the top tiers of society are brilliant and managed to keep me guessing to the end.

A good, compelling read. The strange biology came out of nowhere at the end, and didn't seem necessary to resolve the plot. But the resolution worked anyway, even if it was given somewhat more cursory attention than the rest of the plot.

This book isn't Haldeman's best work (checkout The Forever War, The Forever Peace, or Marsbound for examples of his really good stuff). I found the characters largely unsympathetic, and the plot quite slow. The book is also odd in that it was written in 1989, but is full of stuff you'd expect to see from a Heinlein novel like The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress -- global conspiracies, Russian space colonies with vigilante law, that sort of thing.

Interestingly, the plot twist is much more smoothly done than many other Haldeman novels, which is nice.

http://www.stillhq.com/book/Joe_Haldeman/Buying_Time.html

Interesting sci fi novel about a future Earth and some outer planets/asteroid settlements. Humans can extend their lives by paying a million dollars minimum or their entire fortune every ten years for a process known as the Stileman. When the main character, an immortal named Dallas Barr, refuses to join a secret cabal of immortals, his life and that of his immortal lover, Maria, is threatened.

Interesting story, fun to read.