Long Sigh of Satisfaction
Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy , Staff Picks
When I finished reading Variable Star for the first time the other day, I gave a long sigh of satisfaction. It’s one of Robert A. Heinlein’s stories but Spider Robinson actually wrote it. The Robert A. Heinlein estate asked him to write this story outlined by Heinlein in 1955.
I have to give Spider Robinson a lot of credit for his work. It could not have been easy. He started with an eight page handwritten synopsis, fourteen 3X5 index cards with extensive notes, his knowledge of Heinlein’s work and his long friendship with Heinlein. The result is vintage Heinlein, or vintage Robinson or both.
The story line begins in the usual Heinlein way. Boy from Ganymede meets girl from Terra. They fall in love. Boy discovers that girl is mega-rich. Boy feels deceived. He runs off to join the Foreign Legion, which in this book is a ship, The RSS Sheffield destined to colonize the planet Brasil Novo. You’ll have to read the rest for yourself. Robinson brings it up-to-date in a way that is still true to Heinlein’s thoughts, beliefs and values.
As for reading it for the first time, I know it will join the ranks of Heinlein’s other works. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve read Have Space Suit. Will Travel, my first Heinlein title. The first time must have been around 1959. More recently, I downloaded it from the Ohio Ebook Project and listened on my MP3 player. For almost fifty years I’ve enjoyed the Heinlein Science Fiction experience. His stories are still satisfying, if a little nostalgic.
Some of my favorite Heinlein titles:
Juvenile titles
Adult titles
I read Spider Robinson's books, too. I especially like his Callahan novels. My son, an avid Heinlein fan recommended them because they remind him of Heinlein’s style.
