User Friendly

Spider Robinson's characters are average guys with average problems put in extraordinary situations -- which means an average guy can really relate to the character and get into the story. [For the ladies out there, if you really want to know how your guy thinks and feels, read this book.] "Copyright Violation" is funny and my favorite. Except for the jocks out there, almost any guy can relate to this story and revel in its hero. "User Friendly" from which the collection gets it name is about the centrists views of humans and Americans [Spider Robinson is Canadian]. Good but disturbing sci-fi. "My Mentors" is a great homage to sci-fi giant Robert Heinlein. ...and so on.. It's all good and a must read for the sci-fi afficionado.

User Friendly is a collection of short stories and essays by Spider Robinson. Though Robinson's best known short fiction is his Callahan's Crosstime Saloon series, I prefer the non-Callahan stuff myself, and that's what's we get in User Friendly. In the title story, Robinson uses the device of an "invasion" by telepathically controlling aliens as a thinly veiled excuse to discuss Canadian/United States relations. If you thought Heinlein was preachy, he's got nothing on Robinson in this one. I tend to agree with Stephen King, "...serious ideas must always serve [the] story, not the other way around...if you want to preach, get a soapbox." My irritation is tempered by the fact I agree with everything Robinson, himself a Canadian, has his character Alice say on the subject of many Canadians' antipathy toward the good ol' US of A. "Copyright Violation" is quite possibly the funniest story I've every read. I was chortling, chuckling, and laughing out loud through most of it. If you have a shred of humor in your body, you NEED to read this. And yet it's also quite touching. For my money it's the best thing in the book - and that's saying something. "The Magnificent Conspiracy" tells the story of a Vietnam veteran's visit to a used car lot owned by a man with....unusual ideas on how to run his business - and how that's only part of his plan to change the world. In "My Mentors" Robinson gives credit to the three men who've shaped his life the most. If you're a science fiction fan, none of the three will be unknown to you. If you're familiar with Robinson's career, you could probably guess them. "Teddy the Fish" and "Admiral Bob" are homages to Theodore Sturgeon and Robert Anson Heinlein respectively, written in the rap of Lord Buckley. (If you don't know who Lord Buckley was, don't worry, Robinson is happy to tell you.) SR's love and respect for these two men shines through every word. "His Own Petard" and "Where No Man Pursueth" are spoofs. In the former Robinson skewers a prototypical SF critic; the latter is a Keith Laumer-esque adventure parody. Either this sort of thing does it for you or it doesn't. Frankly I think Robinson is at his worst when he becomes relentlessly clever and punny. Though I have to admit, naming the protagonist of "Where No Man Pursueth" Fleming Ayniss got a smile. In "Too Soon We Grow Old" a woman places herself into cryogenic sleep; it's mostly the story of what happens to her when she wakes. And I will say no more. It's wonderful. "Plus Ca Change" - another essay - is one of those tedious "the future will really suck because..." things some people find funny. In "The Gifts of the Magistrate" we meet Vonda McLisle, aka the Vandal, who stole Halley's Comet from the sky, and learn why she did it. Another fabulous story. "Distraction" is a lame joke with a lame punchline. "Orphan of Eden" sees a time traveller from the future journey to the 20th Century to address an important question on morality to that well-known h

If you like Spider Robinsons' short stories, then this collection of tall tales is for you! Vintage Spider from cover to cover!

First book of Spider's i have read. I lost y first copy and bought another 'cause it was so good. Lots of good short stories, and some essays that were also good. I didn't care for his poetry that much. Well, never have cared for poetry much.-Burgain

Some really good short stories, solid writing. But what really caught my attention was the essays. They are informative and entertaining, I was pleasantly surprised to find them in the book. The author reveals much about his style and how it was developed. You are given an opportunity to learn why Spider writes the way he does. For the stories alone this book was worth the $8.00, the essays give it far more value. Keep 'em coming.