Spider Robinson just gets better and better. Or perhaps I'm just
enjoying reading him more. In Lifehouse, he presents us with
a complicated set of circumstances, a few plot twists and lots
to think about.
Lifehouse is about three intelligent and resourceful couples and how their
lives are drawn together when June Bellamy, one of the six protagonists,
stumbles upon something she ought not have. What follows is a narrow
escape by June (and Paul, her partner and lover) from one of the other
couples and the pursuit of June and Paul by both other couples.
To say why they are being pursued by -both- couples would undermine
Spider's story telling but the series of chapters on each couple's
individual activities and thinking during the pursuit was a treat for this
reader; and one just knows that somehow they'll all be together by the
end of the story. And they are.
Spider Robinson seamlessly weaves their activities together in an
adventure of profound proportions. The story flows easily from beginning
to end, so easily that, if you're like me, it ends all too soon.
Fans of Spider Robinson's earlier works, such as the Callahans Saloon
series, will recognize some familiar themes. Telepathy, sharing, time
travel and an appreciation for intelligence are all there. And of course
there are puns. One of the minor characters is named " Moe
Lycott." Need I say more..?
Something new, to this reader, is Spider's ability to write about cyber
topics. The purported Internet-shy Spider has been learning... and now
writing about the Net. And it appears this Netizen is into Fandom!
Lifehouse is pure Spider Robinson, and that is more than enough to
heartily recommend it.
