Callahan's Legacy

Spider Robinson continues his quirky narrative about the people (and I use that term loosely) that used to hang out at Callahan's Crosstime Saloon and now are gracing Mary's Place. The old regulars are here (Long-Drink McGonnigle, Doc Webster, Fast Eddie on the piano) but the bar is tended by Jake Stonebender. Jake's woman, Zoey, is 9 and half month's pregnant but that hasn't slowed down their sex life much. So it's a regular evening in the bar but two newbies show up and then the fun starts.

You have to be paying attention when you are reading this book. It took me four chapters to realize that all the chapter headings were palindromes. And some of the puns I had to say out loud (getting some strange looks if I was in a public place) show more to comprehend. But I loved every word of it and so will anyone else who likes wordplay, impossible situations and just plain good writing. show less

In this particular installment we learn the backstories of a few long-time members of Callahan's Place/Mary's Place. If you've read the rest of the books in this series, you'll get what you expect - lots of puns. Overall it's an enjoyable installment to this wacky sci fi series, with some quite clever jokes and lines.

I read Spider Robinson’s legendary Callahan’s Cross Time Saloon so long ago, my future self needs to be reminded by my past self as to what happened. My present self just remembers being entertained cover to cover. While nothing can recreate any first time experience, I still found Callahan’s Legacy totally enjoyable.

Let’s be honest here, this is no contender for the Greatest Book of All Time. It is not even the Best Sci Fi Ever Created. It is however, immortal, much like that classic, but hokey, musical, Guy’s and Dolls. And for good reason too: just like the characters of the musical, the regulars at Callahan's are unique and memorable for their oddities. Just like the Oldest Permanent Established Floating Crap Game the cast show more sings about, Callahan’s is the Oldest Strangest Liquor and Coffee Establishment in Sci Fi. If you include time travel, it is certainly the Longest Running Party in the Universe.

When reading this, just go with the flow. It’s pure entertainment with no hidden messages. Well, not exactly . . . there are a lot of anagrams and puns. You will need a good grasp of esoteric music, Zen and xenobiology, as well as an open mind, to follow the action.

Good travel reading, a quick read between more serious works and for fans of Terry Pratchet, Douglas Adams or Larry Niven and good Irish Coffee. show less

The fifth installment of the Callahan's Place series actually takes place in Mary's Place, a new bar owned and operated by Callahan's regular Jake Stonebender and populated by most of the Old Gang. The plot is also slightly recycled (banding together to save the Earth from an alien menace), but the real payoff here is hearing regulars Doc Webster, Fast Eddie, and Long-Drink McGonigle recount how they first came to Callahan's. It's rare treat for fans of the series, and Robinson (who unfolded narrator Jake Stonebender's tragic backstory in earlier books) does it beautifully.

This is *not* the book to use to introduce newcomes to the series, however, and not an ideal place to dive back in if you've missed the last installment or two. The show more references to earlier characters, events, and plotlines are too dense and too much a part of the story for that. show less

Not the strongest of Robinson's Callahan series, but still entertaining.

Mary's Place is under the gun yet again as the crew of punning misfits rally to stand off another attack from outer space. Probably the most interesting parts of the story delve into the arrival of the oldest three bar-goers: Fast Eddie, Doc, and Long-Drink. Plenty of punning and not a little political commentary thrown in.

Of all the Spider Robinson I've read so far, this was the most lukewarm, though not totally disappointing. I found the last half of the book more compelling... 'Lady' and 'Crosstime' were much more compelling to me Borrowed from Bec, Jan. 2007

Still smiling.