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Stainless Steel Rat #3
The Stainless Steel Rat Sings the Blues
Caught during a failed robbery, Slippery Jim, the Stainless Steel Rat, cuts a deal--to journey to a prison planet filled with homicidal maniacs to recover a lost alien artifact--that puts his freedom and his life on the line. 20,000 first printing. $20,000 ad/promo.
230 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1994
25 people are currently reading
871 people want to read
About the author
Harry Harrison
1,261 books1,040 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction author best known for his character the The Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966), the basis for the film Soylent Green (1973). He was also (with Brian W. Aldiss) co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction author best known for his character the The Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966), the basis for the film Soylent Green (1973). He was also (with Brian W. Aldiss) co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
March 22, 2021
Alas, this Stainless Steel Rat, following up the early adventures of Jimmy, didn't hold up quite as well on the re-read. I docked it a star for being slightly incomprehensible in a later part.
Mostly it was fun, but it got a bit too wacky in its commentary.
Not horribly, but it wasn't all that enjoyable, either.
Even so, being a blues singer was funnily weird for a master thief. That was fine and fun. Quite Suicide Squad-ish meets Blues Brothers.
Mostly it was fun, but it got a bit too wacky in its commentary.
Not horribly, but it wasn't all that enjoyable, either.
Even so, being a blues singer was funnily weird for a master thief. That was fine and fun. Quite Suicide Squad-ish meets Blues Brothers.
September 25, 2020
So ends the Stainless Steel Rat prequel trilogy (yes, Jim DiGriz had a prequel trilogy long before Star Wars did)... and this third chapter wasn’t quite up to the standard of the first two, in my humble opinion.
Why? Well, it’s like this: in this volume, Slippery Jim comes up with the slightly dubious idea of forming a musical group as a cover to infiltrate a prison plant (yes, it makes as much sense in the book as it does in this sentence) and, while the rest of the book is mostly fine, the scenes about the band are painful to read, particularly if you’ve ever been in one (or, as in my case, several).
I’m not sure how much stock I put in the old adage ‘write what you know’, as it would prevent a number of my favourite genres from even existing if taken literally, but I’m going to say that in the case of music, you should definitely avoid writing about it if you have no experience of it because, without fail, non-musicians writing about what it’s like to be a musician always ends up being completely laughable... and not in a good way.
Anyway, other than that, the book is fine; more of the usual Stainless antics. Now, on to the next/first book in the series...
Why? Well, it’s like this: in this volume, Slippery Jim comes up with the slightly dubious idea of forming a musical group as a cover to infiltrate a prison plant (yes, it makes as much sense in the book as it does in this sentence) and, while the rest of the book is mostly fine, the scenes about the band are painful to read, particularly if you’ve ever been in one (or, as in my case, several).
I’m not sure how much stock I put in the old adage ‘write what you know’, as it would prevent a number of my favourite genres from even existing if taken literally, but I’m going to say that in the case of music, you should definitely avoid writing about it if you have no experience of it because, without fail, non-musicians writing about what it’s like to be a musician always ends up being completely laughable... and not in a good way.
Anyway, other than that, the book is fine; more of the usual Stainless antics. Now, on to the next/first book in the series...
December 9, 2019
I’m glad that it has been a while since I last read a Stainless Steel Rat book. They are best consumed with considerable space between them, otherwise the sameness of the adventures and the humour becomes a drag.
But there are a few treats in store in each book. In this one, Slippery Jim must visit a prison planet to find a stolen archeological artifact, undercover as part of a band. Their first encounter with unwashed nomads sends up organized religion. Next, they encounter a society where men and women live separately, a comic rewrite of Sheri Tepper’s The Gate to Women's Country. Most of the men don’t even know that women exist, giving Harrison the chance to thumb his nose at the whole Iron John: A Book About Men concept and the men’s movement.
These are short and that’s a good thing. Especially as I have two more of them on the horizon for 2020!
Book number 341 in my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project.
But there are a few treats in store in each book. In this one, Slippery Jim must visit a prison planet to find a stolen archeological artifact, undercover as part of a band. Their first encounter with unwashed nomads sends up organized religion. Next, they encounter a society where men and women live separately, a comic rewrite of Sheri Tepper’s The Gate to Women's Country. Most of the men don’t even know that women exist, giving Harrison the chance to thumb his nose at the whole Iron John: A Book About Men concept and the men’s movement.
These are short and that’s a good thing. Especially as I have two more of them on the horizon for 2020!
Book number 341 in my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project.
July 24, 2019
Третото предисторично произведение за Хлъзгавия Джим го прави лидер на рок група от военни, изпратени на планета-затвор в търсене на първия и единствен по рода си извънземен артефакт. Това не би било проблем за Стоманения Плъх, ако разполагаше с неограничено време. Да, ама не - инжектирана му е бавнодействаща отрова, която ще го командирова в отвъдното (ако има такова) след точно 30 дни. За този месец, той трябва да събере екип, от който да сформира музикална група; да иде на майната си в едно диво място; и да намери артефакта.
Самата планета е еманацията на американските екшъни от дееветдесетте (романът е публикуван през 94-а). Има го обществото от религиозни хардлайнери, за които жената трябва да е цялата забулена. Има ги "сървайвалистите", които не съм сигурен дали са ебавка с апокалиптично-приготвените наши съвременници, или с руснаците, или и с двете. Има го и полово-разделения град, в който мъжете са стилизирани викинги, а жените - единствените разумни същества.
Интересна развръзка, но като цяло - изтъкана от клишета тънка книжка, в която най-голямото достойнство са спорадичният хумор и малкият обем.
3,5*
Самата планета е еманацията на американските екшъни от дееветдесетте (романът е публикуван през 94-а). Има го обществото от религиозни хардлайнери, за които жената трябва да е цялата забулена. Има ги "сървайвалистите", които не съм сигурен дали са ебавка с апокалиптично-приготвените наши съвременници, или с руснаците, или и с двете. Има го и полово-разделения град, в който мъжете са стилизирани викинги, а жените - единствените разумни същества.
Интересна развръзка, но като цяло - изтъкана от клишета тънка книжка, в която най-голямото достойнство са спорадичният хумор и малкият обем.
3,5*
October 3, 2016
This is the third prequel to the original book, and was quite disappointing. The good points are the setup (Jim DiGriz forms a musical group to infiltrate a prison planet) and how quick it is to read.
The prison planet itself contains a multitude of societies, each less believable than the one before. One of these is clearly Harrison's clumsy commentary on Robert Bly's Iron John: A Book About Men.
Having now read all three sequels, I would recommend stopping after the first one.
The prison planet itself contains a multitude of societies, each less believable than the one before. One of these is clearly Harrison's clumsy commentary on Robert Bly's Iron John: A Book About Men.
Having now read all three sequels, I would recommend stopping after the first one.
March 16, 2025
For some reason I haven't reviewed most of the other Stainless Steel Rat novels, but I'll tell you. I will never stop singing the praises of Slippery Jim DiGriz.
Speaking of singing, I had no idea what this novel would be about before reading it, but like most Rat stories, it surprised me. Having the Rat join a band and infiltrate an 'Escape from New York' type prison planet was great fun. Seeing the weird little cultures that sprung up was really interesting, and the members of Jim's band, The Stainless Steel Rats, were all great buddies for him. I feel like this adventure ended better for him than most of them do. No one even died!
Interesting now that the next book is the first in publication order. My next read 'In Hell' will be interesting taking place after the first four novels I read years ago, but im excited. This prequel era was fun, but im ready for Old Jim again.
Also I would totally listen to the Stainless Steel Rats. They seem like they'd rock.
Speaking of singing, I had no idea what this novel would be about before reading it, but like most Rat stories, it surprised me. Having the Rat join a band and infiltrate an 'Escape from New York' type prison planet was great fun. Seeing the weird little cultures that sprung up was really interesting, and the members of Jim's band, The Stainless Steel Rats, were all great buddies for him. I feel like this adventure ended better for him than most of them do. No one even died!
Interesting now that the next book is the first in publication order. My next read 'In Hell' will be interesting taking place after the first four novels I read years ago, but im excited. This prequel era was fun, but im ready for Old Jim again.
Also I would totally listen to the Stainless Steel Rats. They seem like they'd rock.
October 26, 2025
“The Stainless Steel Rat Sings the Blues” is certainly defined by its signature ridiculousness, driving an absurd adventure through a society so preposterous it strains belief – a mood perfectly capped by a truly regrettable musical inclusion. Despite significant flaws and elements I strongly disliked, the novel’s core energy keeps it entertaining. However, this is likely the most empty installment of the Stainless Steel Rat cycle, offering less substance and consequence than its predecessors, leaving it an enjoyable but ultimately disposable read.
March 14, 2020
Fun story with the always likeable Stainless Steel Rat. There's a sense that it's parodying something in the middle section of the book, but I don't know what that is. It doesn't spoil it for me, but I wasn't sure what it was getting at. Also I think it could have gone further with the premise of the undercover band. Worth a read for a light, fun story though.
March 22, 2020
I read several of the Stainless Steel Rat books back in the day, and was unsure how they would hold up. I remember thinking the series went on past where it should have stopped, especially in the ones written by authors other than Harrison. I listened to the well-produced and performed audio version of this one and enjoyed it. Jim has to recover an alien artifact, is on a very tight (literal) deadline, and goes undercover as a band member in the (of course) Stainless Steel Rats. There's some good send-ups of easy targets like bureaucratic government, religion, and gender relations. Good humor is hard to find in science fiction, but Slippery Jim diGriz is still good for some chuckles!
October 7, 2017
A rather involved series of misadventures that challenge the Rat's abilities. Dumped on a prison planet (shades of Botany Bay, Australia), the Rat and his "band" encounter a number of mob-style groups that either want to kill them or keep them for entertainment.
But, as usual, the Rat (with the unusual help of his companions) overcome their challenges in their quest for a stolen article.
Of course, there's the usual ineptness and double-crossing of authorities and government big shots. Everything I've learned to expect in a "rat" book.
Yes, I'll keep it to read again in the future.
But, as usual, the Rat (with the unusual help of his companions) overcome their challenges in their quest for a stolen article.
Of course, there's the usual ineptness and double-crossing of authorities and government big shots. Everything I've learned to expect in a "rat" book.
Yes, I'll keep it to read again in the future.
May 19, 2022
Young Slippery Jim diGriz, aka The Stainless Steel Rat, is blackmailed into leading a miitary exercise to recover an artifact, thought to be millions of years old, and alien. Told that a 30-day drug had been introduced into his body and he will die unless he gets the antidote, Jim is under time pressure to find the artifact. Needing to infiltrate a penal planet, Jim and some military volunteers with some musical ability form a band (The Stainless Steel Rats) and contrive to get busted on drug charges. This gets them to the penal planet where things start going wrong almost immediately. The planet has been separated into male and female halves, with the male part become a macho ghetto and being run by a a local strongman. But Jim has not been given all the information and his bandmates are also not what they seem and Jim, an AI which inhabits a robotic dog, and a faceless voice in his ear must outwit all comers to find the artifact (which is also not what it was made out to be!) Confused? You won’t be after Harry Harrison finishes another rousing tale of the Rat. For those familiar with the stories you know what you get, for the rest - it’s not very serious fun!
January 19, 2020
This again was a fun book to read but was the least stainless Steel Ratish of the book series I have read so far., or at least it felt that way to me.
While many of the others feel like capers this wandered into the adventure survival territory. Jim feels more vulnerable in this book and there is a very clear story arc through the book that pushes the narrative along.
I have marked it down from 3 for a couple of reasons. The world building is a little contrived for my liking and there are songs in the book where the author writes all the lyrics down. The Lyrics add nothing to the plot at all and as I skipped past them after I had read a couple of them just to check I did begin to wonder if they were space fillers or simply signs of an unedited author. I feel the same about the songs in LoTR. They add nothing I want.
It was still a good read. I was not bored in the book but it left me a hint underwhelmed to be honest.
While many of the others feel like capers this wandered into the adventure survival territory. Jim feels more vulnerable in this book and there is a very clear story arc through the book that pushes the narrative along.
I have marked it down from 3 for a couple of reasons. The world building is a little contrived for my liking and there are songs in the book where the author writes all the lyrics down. The Lyrics add nothing to the plot at all and as I skipped past them after I had read a couple of them just to check I did begin to wonder if they were space fillers or simply signs of an unedited author. I feel the same about the songs in LoTR. They add nothing I want.
It was still a good read. I was not bored in the book but it left me a hint underwhelmed to be honest.
February 14, 2014
This is the eighth Stainless Steel Rat book and the third 'prequel' to the original book. Sadly, while I’m a big fan of Harrison’s work and have found “The Rat” hugely enjoyable over the years this sequel to a sequel to a prequel suffers from a number of issues which doesn't make it an awesome read.
The Stainless Steel Rat books are never meant to be taken too seriously; they are a distraction, pure entertainment, nothing else. They've always been fun affairs which favour escapades and exploits over deep philosophical musings. However, unlike my two favourite books in the series: The Stainless Steel Rat and A Stainless Steel Rat Is Born this book seems to be all about DiGriz and his shallow two-dimensional team making a series of mistakes to keep everyone (including himself) in a perpetual state of jeopardy. By doing so the reader is subjected to a rather predictable level of routine action with only a second glance to ensure plot consistency (important in Rat books as these tales are all about the plot), a coherent story line (which veers widely and tries to cover too many different topics including a bizarre analysis of Robert Bly's "Iron John") and a series of hugely implausible events which wouldn’t withstand even fleeting scrutiny. Additionally, the story, such as it is, is a straight copy of "Escape from New York" and the attempt at writing lyrics for the rock band involved is very poor.
Throughout the book the reader has to plough through infodumps of boring social commentary sermons which do nothing but help to impinge on DiGriz’s adventures. Sure there are some nice ideas such as macho Machmen, troglodytes, Feminist Separatists, goat-herding religious-maniac Fundamentaloids and murderous Survivalists, but this is probably the weakest in The Rat series; it’s not awful but I felt that this addition to the series does nothing at all to enhance the reputation of DiGriz.
The Stainless Steel Rat books are never meant to be taken too seriously; they are a distraction, pure entertainment, nothing else. They've always been fun affairs which favour escapades and exploits over deep philosophical musings. However, unlike my two favourite books in the series: The Stainless Steel Rat and A Stainless Steel Rat Is Born this book seems to be all about DiGriz and his shallow two-dimensional team making a series of mistakes to keep everyone (including himself) in a perpetual state of jeopardy. By doing so the reader is subjected to a rather predictable level of routine action with only a second glance to ensure plot consistency (important in Rat books as these tales are all about the plot), a coherent story line (which veers widely and tries to cover too many different topics including a bizarre analysis of Robert Bly's "Iron John") and a series of hugely implausible events which wouldn’t withstand even fleeting scrutiny. Additionally, the story, such as it is, is a straight copy of "Escape from New York" and the attempt at writing lyrics for the rock band involved is very poor.
Throughout the book the reader has to plough through infodumps of boring social commentary sermons which do nothing but help to impinge on DiGriz’s adventures. Sure there are some nice ideas such as macho Machmen, troglodytes, Feminist Separatists, goat-herding religious-maniac Fundamentaloids and murderous Survivalists, but this is probably the weakest in The Rat series; it’s not awful but I felt that this addition to the series does nothing at all to enhance the reputation of DiGriz.
September 30, 2016
Хан Соло, Снейк Плискин, Корбен Далас, Капитан Майкъл Рейнолдс, Ридик, Спайк Спийгъл, Питър Куил... Съвременната фантастика е бъкана с чаровни анти-герои, някои лениви и лежерни, други тарикати, трети устати, а повечето всичко от изброеното на куп. Брадясали циници, отегчени от живота, плюещи (че дори и хапещи, дращещи, стрелящи...) по системата, всеки със своето тъмно минало и лични демони, и всеки въоръжен с богат репертоар от хапливо-иронични лафове. И дълбоко, под тази яка черупка, зад маската на корав тип с ампутирана съвест, дреме златно сърце, което често подтиква към неохотно забъркване в чужди неприятности и дори евентуална саможертва.
Как да не ги обичаш, нашите сай-фай анти-герои и космически каубои?
Но има един, може би не толкова известен като гореизброените, но определено заслужаващ свое място в пантеона (а защо не и екранизация!) – предшественик на днешните популярни физиономии, едно старо куче... Е, може би не точно куче, по-скоро плъх! Да, говорим за героя на покойния Хари Харисън - Джеймс Боливар ди Гриз, познат още като Хлъзгавия Джим или Стоманения плъх. Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":
https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
Как да не ги обичаш, нашите сай-фай анти-герои и космически каубои?
Но има един, може би не толкова известен като гореизброените, но определено заслужаващ свое място в пантеона (а защо не и екранизация!) – предшественик на днешните популярни физиономии, едно старо куче... Е, може би не точно куче, по-скоро плъх! Да, говорим за героя на покойния Хари Харисън - Джеймс Боливар ди Гриз, познат още като Хлъзгавия Джим или Стоманения плъх. Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":
https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
May 9, 2009
Not recommended, even for the most hardcore of Harry Harrison fans. In this volume, Harrison aims at too many targets and doesn't hit any of them, complicating the mess in an attempt to squeeze in his own sci-fi blues lyrics with a critique of Robert Bly's "Iron John". I enjoyed the Stainless Steel Rat books as a kid, but this was probably the worst one of the bunch. Even the latter ones, such as "Gets Drafted" and "for President" were amusing, but this is not worth the time--even as a time-wasting pulp novel to read when one has a tired brain.
Got it in a $2 sack at the library book sale, and it's going straight back to the donation pile.
Got it in a $2 sack at the library book sale, and it's going straight back to the donation pile.
August 10, 2012
It was great. Need i say more? Yes I think I must. There is no other series that has the quick charm of Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat series. This book is a solid addition to the series. For discerning and intelligent readers the book is smart, funny, and wonderfully satirical while being quite entertaining and fun.
Those who dismiss this book out of hand obviously missed the subtle jokes and maybe even the not so subtle puns that make this book great
Those who dismiss this book out of hand obviously missed the subtle jokes and maybe even the not so subtle puns that make this book great
August 25, 2012
This one appears to come right after A Stainless Steel Rat is Born, even though it is written after most of the other Rat stories.
I am giving this 4 stars because this book becomes preachy and most of the societies that are created are stupid and unbelievable. It's too bad Harry Harrison decided he needed to beat the readers over the head with his social commentary, it is intruding on the fun of Jim DiGriz.
I am giving this 4 stars because this book becomes preachy and most of the societies that are created are stupid and unbelievable. It's too bad Harry Harrison decided he needed to beat the readers over the head with his social commentary, it is intruding on the fun of Jim DiGriz.
January 22, 2016
Another in the stainless steel rat books. They are all quick reads with alot of humor in them. The stories remain fresh and new. Very recommended, especially to teen readers or someone new to SiFi
September 20, 2019
This is book 3 according to the chronological order of the 11 book Stainless Steel Rat series. This sci-fi series is a humor series whose main character (Jim) is a master thief with a heart of gold. In this particular book, Jim is blackmailed into leading a team down to a prison planet in order to retrieve an alien artifact which was accidentally lost during transport. The team will be going in under cover, disguised as a band who was sentenced to the planet.
This series is definitely not one that everyone would enjoy, as the author's sense of humor doesn't appeal to all. I have generally enjoyed the books though. This one fits in well enough with the rest of the series, and takes place before the (chronologically) later books in which Jim is married and has children. To me, this is a good thing, since I've enjoyed the stories I've read more without the additional characters. As with most of these books, there is some type of twist on things, and this one works pretty well, leaving the book with a satisfying ending.
However, for some reason, this was probably one of my least favorite books in the series. I suspect that some of this is due to the fact that this is the 8th book in the series published, and the author style has shifted someone since the earlier books. I think I'm more fond of the earlier stuff. Still, if you are interested in humor sci-fi, this is worth taking a look at.
This series is definitely not one that everyone would enjoy, as the author's sense of humor doesn't appeal to all. I have generally enjoyed the books though. This one fits in well enough with the rest of the series, and takes place before the (chronologically) later books in which Jim is married and has children. To me, this is a good thing, since I've enjoyed the stories I've read more without the additional characters. As with most of these books, there is some type of twist on things, and this one works pretty well, leaving the book with a satisfying ending.
However, for some reason, this was probably one of my least favorite books in the series. I suspect that some of this is due to the fact that this is the 8th book in the series published, and the author style has shifted someone since the earlier books. I think I'm more fond of the earlier stuff. Still, if you are interested in humor sci-fi, this is worth taking a look at.
December 12, 2025
Well, this was... something.
Jim is now "almost" 20. At that ripe old age he has caught the attention of many higher uppers as one of the best.
By alerting every crime fighting agency to his presence the minute he landed on the planet, royally fumbling a heist, and getting caught by the local guard. Oh yeah, I can see why they only Jim would do as a master thief.
Whatever, I was still on board. Lets get the plot started.
He is sent incognito to a prison planet to find/steal the McGuffin. Ok, still on board.
And the hook here is... every single civilization group on that planet had devolved into extreme misogyny, it's not even to what degree just what form it takes.
As a woman I really love when the one person advocating for women is a man while the actual women in the book have no lines and the one token girl of the group plays no role in the tale what so ever. Perfect...
While not a bad book it is pretty weak sadly. I think this series is showing it's age, something like this was very typical of the late 80s/early 90s but not for today's readers.
Jim is now "almost" 20. At that ripe old age he has caught the attention of many higher uppers as one of the best.
By alerting every crime fighting agency to his presence the minute he landed on the planet, royally fumbling a heist, and getting caught by the local guard. Oh yeah, I can see why they only Jim would do as a master thief.
Whatever, I was still on board. Lets get the plot started.
He is sent incognito to a prison planet to find/steal the McGuffin. Ok, still on board.
And the hook here is... every single civilization group on that planet had devolved into extreme misogyny, it's not even to what degree just what form it takes.
As a woman I really love when the one person advocating for women is a man while the actual women in the book have no lines and the one token girl of the group plays no role in the tale what so ever. Perfect...
While not a bad book it is pretty weak sadly. I think this series is showing it's age, something like this was very typical of the late 80s/early 90s but not for today's readers.
March 23, 2025
Slippery Jim is caught red-handed when he tries to rob the mint in Pasknjak. He is presented with a simple a horrible death, or a job for the Galactic League. The League want Jim to go to the planet Liokukae and bring back a missing artefact - the only known evidence of an alien life-form ever found. To ensure that Jim doesn't try to escape, he is given a slow-acting poison - he's got 30 days to return with the artefact, and receive the antidote, or he'll die. Liokuke is a colony where misfits and maniacs are sent, so to ensure a warm welcome and safe passage around the planet, Jim arrives with three League agents, disguised as a rock band sent to entertain the inhabitants. But as time passes - and Jim's life expectancy is reduced - the mission becomes less about recovering the artefact, and more about liberating the planet.
January 22, 2024
Another galaxy, another impossible assignment. This time, the SSR infiltrates a prison-planet controlled by rival dictatorial powers (one somewhat Islam-like) in order to recover an unidentified yet dangerous artifact. To do so, SSR needs to form and lead an intergalactically mega-popular rock band – what, you expected something normal from Harry? Harrison hasn’t let me down with these stories yet. As usual Sings the Blues is funny as heck while still presenting a decent mystery-adventure wrapped in a Sci-Fi universe. Plus a few social comments thrown in as a bonus. I have one more lined up to read at this point, may get to the rest at some future date.
August 9, 2017
The Stainless Steel Rat is a great idea that somehow doesn't quite hit as well as it should. It may have been the sort of story I would have appreciated as a twelve year old boy, but as an adult I was underwhelmed. I'm not sure why I keep reading them other than the possibility that I forget they're adolescent nature in the years between reading each one and only remember the first time I read the first in the series.
February 12, 2018
Good stuff. This reminded me a lot of the writing in the later part of the Foundation series, where the fiction sort of seems to become anthropological. I also enjoyed the weaving in of these sort of archetypal mythos (and especially the way that they are used). Very creative. This series is just getting better over time and I absolutely appreciate the innovation the author puts into each subsequent book.
March 17, 2018
A good book for when you want to read something light. No heavy science here. Just another space opera in the Stainless Steel Rat series. There is a decent plot, plenty of action, and enough humor to keep the reader engaged.
The chapters are short and seem to fly by so it's perfect to read on the bus or train on your way to work.
I'm going to be generous and give this one 3 stars because it's closer to 3 than 2.
The chapters are short and seem to fly by so it's perfect to read on the bus or train on your way to work.
I'm going to be generous and give this one 3 stars because it's closer to 3 than 2.
February 10, 2019
A very average entry in the series: it starts shakily and gets better but remains very much a picaresque adventure in which Slippery Jim has to recover an artefact before the poison in his system kills him. There's a fair amount of weak satire and commentary on the issues of the day but a bit too much reliance on coincidence and surprise unveilings of cast members. Still quite readable and fun, though, once the story gets going.
July 28, 2020
The Stainless Steel Rat series is generally great satirical fun, and this book is no exception. On the surface it is an adventure story featuring a Han Solo-like anti-hero who plays a little loose with societies' rules. Underneath though, it is more of a chance for Harrison to skewer everything the mainstream world holds dear: religion, military, banks, relationships... well, you get the picture. Enjoy!
November 1, 2024
I have a soft spot for capers -- even better when they have humour or sci fi elements. This has both. While some of these twists are a little too contrived, they are self aware enough to at least make you laugh. A little bit of a Tom Swifty at times but then again, it feels like nostalgia.
This was lying on my shelf waiting to be reread. It will either be released into the wild or gifted. Not quite sure which. It was definitely an enjoyed book.
This was lying on my shelf waiting to be reread. It will either be released into the wild or gifted. Not quite sure which. It was definitely an enjoyed book.
February 27, 2019
Вдъхновен от много модерната по негово време хипи-психологическа книга Железния Джон, Хари Харисън хвърля поглед към дивата мъжественост, която, както е обичайно в книгите му, тук се вихри на цяла отделна планета.
April 20, 2025
Recent Reads: The Stainless Steel Rat Sings The Blues. Harry Harrison returns to the early years of his criminal hero. Forced to help the military recover a lost artefact from a prison world, Jim's quest lets Harrison satirise cults and religion, as well as the music industry. More pacifist comedy.
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