Synopses & Reviews
A never-before-published masterpiece from science fiction's greatest writer, rediscovered after more than half a century.
When Joel Johnston first met Jinny Hamilton, it seemed like a dream come true. And when she finally agreed to marry him, he felt like the luckiest man in the universe.
There was just one small problem. He was broke. His only goal in life was to become a composer, and he knew it would take years before he was earning enough to support a family.
But Jinny wasn't willing to wait. And when Joel asked her what they were going to do for money, she gave him a most unexpected answer. She told him that her name wasn't really Jinny Hamilton---it was Jinny Conrad, and she was the granddaughter of Richard Conrad, the wealthiest man in the solar system.
And now that she was sure that Joel loved her for herself, not for her wealth, she revealed her family's plans for him---he would be groomed for a place in the vast Conrad empire and sire a dynasty to carry on the family business.
Most men would have jumped at the opportunity. But Joel Johnston wasn't most men. To Jinny's surprise, and even his own, he turned down her generous offer and then set off on the mother of all benders. And woke up on a colony ship heading out into space, torn between regret over his rash decision and his determination to forget Jinny and make a life for himself among the stars.
He was on his way to succeeding when his plans--and the plans of billions of others--were shattered by a cosmic cataclysm so devastating it would take all of humanity's strength and ingenuity just to survive.
Review
"An enjoyable read, Star incorporates plenty of Heinlein's liberal social theories, but not enough of his sharp moral edge. (Grade: B)" Entertainment Weekly
Review
"The avid fan will find nuggets and expanded treasures from a universe of previous novels and stories; neophytes will find a strong novel with characters, ideas and lessons." San Diego Union-Tribune
Review
"Variable Star is both a worthy continuation of the Heinlein legacy and a darn fine Spider Robinson novel to boot. And it begs for a sequel let's hope Robinson turns his attention to that sooner rather than later!" SciFiDimensions.com
Review
"Variable Star will delight the fans of the greatest science fiction writer who ever lived, and at the same time, stays true to Spider's passionate themes of optimism, kindness, and humanity's future among the stars." John Varley, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of The Persistence of Vision and Steel Beach
Review
"For everyone who's missed the old Heinlein magic, Variable Star is a return to the days of wonder a terrific novel, one which both Spider's readers and RAH's (and I'm sure there's a crossover) will doubtless enjoy." Allen M. Steele, Hugo Award-winning author of the Coyote Trilogy
Review
"I've already laughed hard and wanted to cry....This book is a delight and I love you for doing it. I love you even more for doing it so damned well. Thank you." David Crosby, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and member of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash
Review
"I've already laughed hard and wanted to cry....This book is a delight and I love you for doing it. I love you even more for doing it so damned well. Thank you." David Crosby, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter and member of The Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash
Synopsis
A never-before-published masterpiece from science fiction's greatest writer, rediscovered after more than half a century.
When Joel Johnston first met Jinny Hamilton, it seemed like a dream come true. And when she finally agreed to marry him, he felt like the luckiest man in the universe.
There was just one small problem. He was broke. His only goal in life was to become a composer, and he knew it would take years before he was earning enough to support a family.
But Jinny wasn't willing to wait. And when Joel asked her what they were going to do for money, she gave him a most unexpected answer. She told him that her name wasn't really Jinny Hamilton it was Jinny Conrad, and she was the granddaughter of Richard Conrad, the wealthiest man in the solar system.
And now that she was sure that Joel loved her for herself, not for her wealth, she revealed her family's plans for him he would be groomed for a place in the vast Conrad empire and sire a dynasty to carry on the family business.
Most men would have jumped at the opportunity. But Joel Johnston wasn't most men. To Jinny's surprise, and even his own, he turned down her generous offer and then set off on the mother of all benders. And woke up on a colony ship heading out into space, torn between regret over his rash decision and his determination to forget Jinny and make a life for himself among the stars.
He was on his way to succeeding when his plans and the plans of billions of others were shattered by a cosmic cataclysm so devastating it would take all of humanity's strength and ingenuity just to survive.
Synopsis
Two young lovers are forced apart by pride, power, and the immensity of interstellar time and space, in an authorized version of an unfinished novel by Hugo Award-winning late science fiction master Robert Heinlein. 50,000 first printing.
Synopsis
Robert A. Heinlein is universally acknowledged as modern science fiction's greatest author. At his death in 1987, he left a legacy of books and stories that has profoundly influenced the course of the field for generations.
But one of Heinlein's most ambitious works was never finished. In 1955, he began work on a novel to be titled Variable Star, completing a detailed outline and making extensive notes for the book, only to set it aside to focus on other novels, including Tunnel in the Sky and the Hugo Award-winning Double Star. For more than half a century, the work lay forgotten among Heinlein's papers. Then, on its rediscovery a few years ago, the Robert A. Heinlein Trust selected an author to finish the work.
The author chosen for the project was, appropriately enough, a writer the New York Times has hailed as "the New Robert Heinlein" Spider Robinson, the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author of such modern SF classics as Stardance and "Melancholy Elephants." Faithful to the spirit of Heinlein's original vision, and laced with contemporary touches that will appeal to modern readers, Variable Star is a rare treat for the Grand Master's many fans.
Profits from the book will help fund the annual $500,000 Heinlein Prize for innovation in commercial manned spaceflight, a goal Mr. Heinlein considered crucial to humanity's long-term survival.
Synopsis
A never-before-published masterpiece from science fiction's greatest writer, rediscovered after more than half a century.
When Joel Johnston first met Jinny Hamilton, it seemed like a dream come true. And when she finally agreed to marry him, he felt like the luckiest man in the universe.
There was just one small problem. He was broke. His only goal in life was to become a composer, and he knew it would take years before he was earning enough to support a family.
But Jinny wasn't willing to wait. And when Joel asked her what they were going to do for money, she gave him a most unexpected answer. She told him that her name wasn't really Jinny Hamilton---it was Jinny Conrad, and she was the granddaughter of Richard Conrad, the wealthiest man in the solar system.
And now that she was sure that Joel loved her for herself, not for her wealth, she revealed her family's plans for him---he would be groomed for a place in the vast Conrad empire and sire a dynasty to carry on the family business.
Most men would have jumped at the opportunity. But Joel Johnston wasn't most men. To Jinny's surprise, and even his own, he turned down her generous offer and then set off on the mother of all benders. And woke up on a colony ship heading out into space, torn between regret over his rash decision and his determination to forget Jinny and make a life for himself among the stars.
He was on his way to succeeding when his plans--and the plans of billions of others--were shattered by a cosmic cataclysm so devastating it would take all of humanity's strength and ingenuity just to survive.
About the Author
Robert A. Heinlein is universally acknowledged as modern science fiction's greatest author. At his death, in 1987, he left a legacy of books and stories that has profoundly influenced the course of the field for generations.
But one of Heinlein's most ambitious works was never finished. In 1955, he began work on a novel to be titled Variable Star, completing a detailed outline and making extensive notes for the book, only to set it aside to focus on other novels, including Tunnel in the Sky and the Hugo Award-winning Double Star. For more than half a century, the work lay forgotten among Heinlein's papers. Then, on its rediscovery a few years ago, the Robert A. Heinlein Trust selected an author to finish the work.
The author chosen for the project was, appropriately enough, a writer The New York Times has hailed as "the New Robert Heinlein"--Spider Robinson, the Hugo and Nebula Award--winning author of such modern SF classics as Stardance and "Melancholy Elephants." Faithful to the spirit of Heinlein's original vision, and laced with contemporary touches that will appeal to modern readers, Variable Star is a rare treat for the Grand Master's many fans.
Profits from the book will help fund the annual $500,000 Heinlein Prize for innovation in commercial manned spaceflight, a goal Mr. Heinlein considered crucial to humanity's long-term survival.