The Callahan Touch

I've been a fan of the "Callahan's" stories for a long time, and truly enjoy almost all of them. This may actually be the best of the lot, and I think that it would probably be possible to start with this one and still not be completely lost. It's certainly the best (as well as the first) of the "Mary's Place" books which follow the original "Callahan's Crosstime Saloon" series. But I will say that its rating was ALMOST ruined, and WAS dropped a notch, by the love-at-first-sight subplot toward the end. I'm sorry, I can accept Fir Darrig-Pooka half-breeds living in the U.S.; I can accept Cluricaunes (what most people would mistake for a leprechaun) likewise manifesting in upstate New York; I can accept time-travel, super-poweful aliens with highly advanced technology, and all the rest of it, but I CANNOT suspend disbelief far enough to accept a pair of grown-ups experiencing a powerful initial attraction for one another and mistaking it for love; the character of Jake Stonebender is wiser than that, and as written, so is the object of his fascination. Granted, there is a perfectly good chance that such a fascination might grow into love, but the idea that they are, in fact, in love before ever actually laying eyes on one another because of a very sympatico jam session is just silly. And I hate stories that reinforce the societal belief in love as being "something that happens all at once" rather than being "something that grows out of shared experience"; see my review of "Romeo & Juliet".

I seem to have started in the middle of this series. First, I read Callahan's Legacy because it was the only one my library had. Then, I found this book in my local used bookstore. So, not only am I out of order, but I'm reading backwards.But I don't really think that matters. I'm still really enjoying this series from Spider Robinson--the stories of a bunch of really strange folks that hang around a bar, whether the proprietor is the titular Mike Callahan or the narrator Jake Stonebender. The plot is negligible, when it exists. The main draw is all the varied characters and their wild personalities and how they interact with one another.Beware, however, the puns come fast and furious. But, if, like me, you think playing with words is the highest form of humor, then pull up a stool because here is a place where "shared pain is lessened, shared joy is increased."

This book had me laughing all of the way through with it's wacky characters and hilarious puns.

I recommend this book strongly to anyone who enjoys Robinson's style and past books. Although it isn't necessary to read the previous `Callahan' books to enjoy this one, it will add to your enjoyment and understanding. Jake opens his new bar, "Mary's Place", to replace the bar destroyed in a minor nuclear explosion at the end of a previous book. Robinson introduces some delightfully odd new characters in "The Callahan Touch", and keeps us in touch with the old timers. He also examines (in a very entertaining way) some very basic human emotions and reactions, including racism, guilt, compassion, love at first sight, and fear of technology. What would YOU do if your computer suddenly wanted to discuss ethics with you

Although Callahan's crosstime saloon was vaporized into a sizzling crater, the gang is all back. A new bar is open; called "Mary's Place" in rememberance of Calahan's daughter. The puns, wierdness, and genuine camadarie are just as strong as ever...in addition to an un-lucky duck, a guilty scientist, a walking thirst, a computer that turns itsself on, and a surprise appearance (sic) by an old favorite. Grab an Irish coffee, curl up with this book, and laugh until you cry with those folks we're so fond of