A never-before-published masterpiece from science fiction's greatest writer, rediscovered after more than half a century.
When Joel Johnsto... read full description
When Joel Johnsto... read full description
reviews
Nov 09, 2011
Jam
rated it: 
Although I love SF more than any other genre, I regret to say that I’m largely ignorant of a lot of good SF classics out there. Like in this case, I’m not familiar with a lot of Heinlein and Robinson books. However, it’s more due to it being damned difficult to get books by Heinlein and Robinson in my neck of the woods than anything else. I’ve thought about reading ebook versions a time or two, but my eyes always start hurting if I look at a screen too long, and I prefer holding a book in my han
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Oct 17, 2009
Annette
rated it: 
The good: Spider Robinson (who actually wrote the book from a Heinlein-penned outline) sounds almost Exactly like good ol' RAH. You'd think it Was him if it wasn't for the references to Google and The Simpsons. :}
And, the plot was compelling and possessed of many unexpected twists, even if meandering at times. Lots of stock RAH characters: the irreverent geniuses, the TANSTAAFL-believing rugged individualists, etc.
The bad: How can I put this? Bluntly, I guess! Heinlein wasn't More...
And, the plot was compelling and possessed of many unexpected twists, even if meandering at times. Lots of stock RAH characters: the irreverent geniuses, the TANSTAAFL-believing rugged individualists, etc.
The bad: How can I put this? Bluntly, I guess! Heinlein wasn't More...
Jan 25, 2012
Ron
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 05, 2011
Tim
rated it:
This is the second time I've gone through the audio book version. There's a lot I love about it, but also there's a lot that annoys me. First, Spider Robinson is in love with his bits of music he's included so one has to deal with the reader (who is actually Spider) singing (not particularly well) lyrics written for the novel. That segment goes on far too long near the beginning of the book and then portions re-appear later in the book. Second, Spider gets overly cute in his word choice/descript
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Jun 07, 2010
Ryan
rated it:
Robinson is a funnier writer than Heinlein, quite often I was laughing out loud. But the typical Heinlein plot and elements still made me feel like it was a Heinlein work. I only had two problems with the book. One was right at the end when a character acts completely out of character in order for there to be one final climax in the story. The other was an unnecessary reference to the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I realize many people who read this book (especially Heinlein fans who shar
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Sep 22, 2011
Thomas
rated it:
As a child, I was raised on a steady diet of Robert Heinlein, which my father gladly fed to me to keep me from causing too much trouble and to keep my mind from becoming dull and pedestrian. Reading the unfinished product of the greatest Science Fiction writer of the 20th century, with the over whelming talent of Spider Robinson to fill in the narrative gaps is quite over whelming, literally at times. The pace of the narrative changes from Heinlein's own objective description and 20th century ve
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Sep 11, 2010
Paul
rated it:
I haven't read too much of Heinlein's work, but what I have read is enough to convince me that this is, in truth, a book by the Grand Master himself. It has much of what I think of as his style, his distinctive feel, and in that regard, Variable Star is excellent. Of course, the flip side of being a Heinlein novel is that it's a Heinlein novel, with much that that implies about the role of women within the story. However, this aspect of the story is necessary to the aforementioned Grand-Master-n
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Feb 27, 2010
Jeff
rated it: 
This is my third reading of Variable Star by Robert Heinlein and Spider Robinson. I enjoyed it immensely, and it in the three years since my last read managed to forget how the plot resolves and so it was like enjoying it mostly for the first time.
Robert Heinlein wrote the outline and some index cards for Variable Star in 1955, but never wrote the novel. It was discovered in 2003 and given to Spider Robinson, Heinlein's friend and a great science fiction author himself, to complete More...
Robert Heinlein wrote the outline and some index cards for Variable Star in 1955, but never wrote the novel. It was discovered in 2003 and given to Spider Robinson, Heinlein's friend and a great science fiction author himself, to complete More...
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Oct 13, 2009
Britt
rated it:
Better than a sharp stick in the eye, but not as good as a the worst Heinlein book (by which I mean Number of the Beast, not the Stinkeroos).
It is well that Robinson does not purport to have created a Heinlein novel. There were too many swears, for one thing, which I thought needlessly disrupted the Heinleinian feel. (I'm not opposed to swearing, but one simply does not picture a Heinlein character uttering an oath stronger than, "bushwah!" or, in great extremity, "d More...
It is well that Robinson does not purport to have created a Heinlein novel. There were too many swears, for one thing, which I thought needlessly disrupted the Heinleinian feel. (I'm not opposed to swearing, but one simply does not picture a Heinlein character uttering an oath stronger than, "bushwah!" or, in great extremity, "d More...
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Apr 16, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
I like a book where impossible things keep happening. This one had lots of great ideas, and Spider Robinson is a wonderful writer. He and Heinlein really do go well together, and I'm so glad he was able to take on this project. I haven't read enough Heinlein to feel at all skeptical that this is an appropriate execution of the master's ideas as contained in his notes, although I rather wonder why that's the case and after listening to this went and checked The Moon is a Harsh Mistress right out
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Nov 22, 2009
Mike
rated it:
Well, 3-1/2 stars but I'm rounding up. I got a hankering the other day to escape to a simpler time, when I didn't read complicated postmodern fiction, and generally stuck to the Golden Age of F&SF. I'm basically out of Asimov to read from that period so I thought, "Hey, there's got to be some Heinlein juveniles I haven't read it..." but when I got the bookstore I also found this. Based on some good reviews I picked it up, figuring I could also find out if I liked Spider Robinson.
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Jun 18, 2011
I really liked this book.
I am not sure which parts were actually in Heinlein's notes, and what parts that Robinson wrote himself.
I didn't actually realize it was a post humorous book until I started to read it. It was very detailed and some places, and you could easily feel you were on the the Sheffield. At times it seems a little lacking in details.
I thought there were parts that could have been expanded on, and maybe parts that could have been left out though. There were some d More...
I am not sure which parts were actually in Heinlein's notes, and what parts that Robinson wrote himself.
I didn't actually realize it was a post humorous book until I started to read it. It was very detailed and some places, and you could easily feel you were on the the Sheffield. At times it seems a little lacking in details.
I thought there were parts that could have been expanded on, and maybe parts that could have been left out though. There were some d More...
Nov 04, 2009
Yarrow
rated it:
This is a Heinlein novel written by Spider Robinson. Heinlein sketched the outline in the mid 50s, and when Virginia died, his literary executor found the outline and decided that the book was meant to be written, and Robinson was the man to write it.
so far, it reads....exactly like a Heinlein novel written by Robinson. it's more than a little surreal. but good, good. it's Heinlein's *world* (post-Prophet, post-Harriman-enterprises, pre-faster-than-light drive or successful cold More...
so far, it reads....exactly like a Heinlein novel written by Robinson. it's more than a little surreal. but good, good. it's Heinlein's *world* (post-Prophet, post-Harriman-enterprises, pre-faster-than-light drive or successful cold More...
Nov 15, 2010
Jeff
rated it:
Take the solid and trusted frame of a Heinlein "Juvenile" and give it to one of the punningest and positivistic writers in the genre today to fill in and flesh out. From this rare and unusual pairing you get Variable Star a sum that is more than its parts.
The only thing that kept me from giving this book 5 stars was the "deus ex machina" Robinson pulls near the end of the novel and just barely gives a possibly believable reason for. Other than that the way Robinso More...
The only thing that kept me from giving this book 5 stars was the "deus ex machina" Robinson pulls near the end of the novel and just barely gives a possibly believable reason for. Other than that the way Robinso More...
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Mar 26, 2011
Brett
rated it:
Finished "Variable Star" by Robert A. Heinlein and Spider Robinson. Have you ever been impressed by a discussion with someone who is very smart and quick-witted, who always seems to be just ahead of you? That was the beginning of this story for me. The pace was quick, and the main character smart and funny. It was difficult to maintain, however, as though the very smart, quick-witted person got tired but kept talking for a good chunk of the middle. The ending was excellent, though - al
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Nov 10, 2011
***Dave
rated it:
(Original review Jan 2008)
Talented sf writer (and Heinlein fan) Robinson takes an unfinished Heinlein novel from his juvenile period (no more than a detailed outline, and missing the last page at that) and turns it into an entertaining sf novel that reads like … well, Heinlein being ghost-written by Robinson. Many of the key characters and plot elements feel Heinleinesque, while the dialog and technological extrapolations feel more like Robinson. It’s less jarring than it sounds, a More...
Talented sf writer (and Heinlein fan) Robinson takes an unfinished Heinlein novel from his juvenile period (no more than a detailed outline, and missing the last page at that) and turns it into an entertaining sf novel that reads like … well, Heinlein being ghost-written by Robinson. Many of the key characters and plot elements feel Heinleinesque, while the dialog and technological extrapolations feel more like Robinson. It’s less jarring than it sounds, a More...
Mar 24, 2010
Chris
rated it:
It's nice to read a new piece of Heinlein after so many years. Written by a trufan, there are many nods to other Heinlein stories and characters, with plenty of explication and arguing for Heinlein & Robinson's shared views.
The story is good, and reminds me of being a kid and reading novels where the undistinguished kid grows up to be president/savior/whatever through some innate yet invisible worth. There's a bit of oversimplication here -- for instance, 500 people in a tin can inev More...
The story is good, and reminds me of being a kid and reading novels where the undistinguished kid grows up to be president/savior/whatever through some innate yet invisible worth. There's a bit of oversimplication here -- for instance, 500 people in a tin can inev More...
Jul 31, 2010
Ryun
rated it:
Some of science fiction’s seminal works are Robert Heinlein’s “juveniles”: young-adult fiction that cemented Heinlein’s career and became the bedrock upon which much of modern sci-fi was built. They were coming-of-age stories filled with new horizons, baptisms of fire, teenage graspings at love, and sometimes very melodramatic romance. VARIABLE STAR, written from the late Heinlein’s notes by Spider Robinson, aspires to all of these essentials, but falls short in the end.
More: http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/sci-fi/v... More...
More: http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/sci-fi/v... More...
Dec 21, 2011
Joe
rated it:
All I can really say is "wow!". This book is the first Heinlein-related book that I've had the pleasure to read and it certainly will not be the last! The
Story sets a compelling narrative - set in a science fiction milieu - and offers a story that continues to surprise. I've been exposed to many, many books by a variety of authors, but few that have compared.
There was a disappointing tangent about current political events that tainted the book slightly...outside off t More...
Story sets a compelling narrative - set in a science fiction milieu - and offers a story that continues to surprise. I've been exposed to many, many books by a variety of authors, but few that have compared.
There was a disappointing tangent about current political events that tainted the book slightly...outside off t More...
Jan 08, 2012
Derek
rated it: 
I love Heinlein, and I love Spider Robinson even more, so I really should love this book. It is typical Robinson (essentially, it is Robinson's work, as Heinlein had only left 7 pages of summary, and 15 index cards of notes), filled with dance and jazz and bad puns.
The novel starts with a dance scene written as only Spider could (Stardance is the definitive SF dance story). There are a couple of great passages about playing the saxophone (I played alto, and have done the circular-bre More...
The novel starts with a dance scene written as only Spider could (Stardance is the definitive SF dance story). There are a couple of great passages about playing the saxophone (I played alto, and have done the circular-bre More...
Jun 25, 2010
Steve & Nancy
rated it:
A wonderful Heinlein book. Spider Robinson has taken an 8 page outline that Heinlein abandoned in 1955 and written a story quite well in the voice of Heinlein. For the most part I would never have guessed it wasn't actually Heinlein. One disappointment is the use of some vulgar language (sparingly). This is clearly an outline for Heinlein's juvenile series (and has a lot of stuff from "Time for the Stars") but Spider has added some "modern" elements such as ambiguous sexualit
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Oct 07, 2008
Fatbaldguy60
rated it:
Imagine my surprise when I saw "Variable Star" filed under Heinlein at Barnes & Noble. RAH has always been my favorite author, SF or otherwise, and I had never even heard of this book. It turns out that novel had been outlined by RAH in late 1955, tentatively titled "The Stars Are A Clock". A confluence of events led the estate of RAH turning his [incomplete, as it turns out] notes for the novel to Spider Robinson to write.
The story concerns Joel Johnston, the mu More...
The story concerns Joel Johnston, the mu More...
Sep 01, 2008
Jonah
rated it:
Unlike many of the other reviews I've read here, I found the first part of this book the least enjoyable, and somewhat hard to get through. Once Joel was on his way in space, however, I liked a lot of the interplay between characters, the witty dialogue (in moderation) and the fact that the book kept me guessing. There were definitely times reading this book that I felt it was really a Heinlein story; Spider was chosen to write this by people who know their business, after all.
Although I More...
Although I More...
Sep 09, 2008
Jeff
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 22, 2008
Ross
rated it:
Hold the phones, stop the presses - Robert Heinlein is writing new novels from beyond the grave!
Well, technically, it's a collaboration, but Variable Star by Robert A. Heinlein and Spider Robinson reads like a Heinlein novel, and delivers everything you could want from a book written by two of the greatest writers of modern science fiction.
Set in the not-too-distant future, just a little while past Heinlein's Crazy Years period, the protagonist is a young musician (saxoph More...
Well, technically, it's a collaboration, but Variable Star by Robert A. Heinlein and Spider Robinson reads like a Heinlein novel, and delivers everything you could want from a book written by two of the greatest writers of modern science fiction.
Set in the not-too-distant future, just a little while past Heinlein's Crazy Years period, the protagonist is a young musician (saxoph More...
Apr 21, 2008
Djuna
rated it: 
If you can get past the horrid predictable sexist stuff in this book, you are still left with a horrid predictable book.
This was a book based on a portion of an outline and some notes discovered after Heinlein's death, and written by Spider Robinson.
I was sad that Robinson didn't delve into the various social structures as much as Heinlein would have, so he missed out on what could have been some thought-provoking moments. He also failed to say anything insightful about More...
This was a book based on a portion of an outline and some notes discovered after Heinlein's death, and written by Spider Robinson.
I was sad that Robinson didn't delve into the various social structures as much as Heinlein would have, so he missed out on what could have been some thought-provoking moments. He also failed to say anything insightful about More...
Mar 12, 2008
Lindsey
rated it:
The book is based on an outline of notes Heinlein put together back in 1955. Upon his death, the outline was discovered and given to author Spider Robinson to create a full-length novel.
The protagonist is Joel, who has just graduated from high school (or its future equivalent) and is awaiting a scholarship acceptance so that he may study to be a composer. His high school sweetheart Jinny wants to get married, but he is so poor he cannot justify it. Then Jinny reveals she actually Jin More...
The protagonist is Joel, who has just graduated from high school (or its future equivalent) and is awaiting a scholarship acceptance so that he may study to be a composer. His high school sweetheart Jinny wants to get married, but he is so poor he cannot justify it. Then Jinny reveals she actually Jin More...
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Feb 13, 2010
Neil
rated it:
"If you happen to be one of the fretful minority who can do creative work, never force an idea; you'll abort it if you do. Be patient and you'll give birth to it when the time is ripe. Learn to wait."
Robert A. Heinlein
"Finishing" a book left by a dead author almost never works out. While Variable Star was written by Spider Robinson from notes left by the science-fiction superstar, it comes across as more of an homage than a bastard novel. More...
Robert A. Heinlein
"Finishing" a book left by a dead author almost never works out. While Variable Star was written by Spider Robinson from notes left by the science-fiction superstar, it comes across as more of an homage than a bastard novel. More...
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Jan 01, 2008
Joel
rated it:
Spider Robinson says in his afterward that he wanted to read a new Robert Heinlein book so bad he did not care if he had to do all the typing. Or something to that effect. And, as good as that would have been, the finished product is even better: A Heinlein plot and Robinson characters.
Robinson was tapped by the Heinlein estate to put together a novel based on an unfinished outline discovered amongst Heinlein's papers. The plot takes the reader on a voyage of personal discovery o More...
Robinson was tapped by the Heinlein estate to put together a novel based on an unfinished outline discovered amongst Heinlein's papers. The plot takes the reader on a voyage of personal discovery o More...
Nov 17, 2007
Tracey
rated it:
It started off very promisingly, as noted - young man and young woman in love. He's poor and would marry her if he could support her. Something fairly serious separates them (vagueness = no spoiler) and he ends up on a pioneer starship, never to return. The rest of the story follows his adventures aboard ship - the ending was a bit "meet-cute" & stretching believability, but it wrapped up some loose ends & gave us a relatively happy ending.
The infodumps in the middle ('life More...
The infodumps in the middle ('life More...
