Seven suburban misfits are constructing a spaceship out of old tanker cars. The plan is to beat the Chinese to Mars--in under four days at three million miles an hour. It would be history in the making if it didn't sound so insane.
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Review
"Dedicated to the master of such topical tomorrows, Robert Heinlein."—Science Fiction Weekly
"Superior science fiction."—Philadelphia Inquirer
"The heart-pounding space race is on! [A] riveting SF thriller...with hilarious, well-drawn characters, extraordinary situations presented plausibly, plus exciting action and adventure."—Publishers Weekly
"Superior science fiction."—Philadelphia Inquirer
"The heart-pounding space race is on! [A] riveting SF thriller...with hilarious, well-drawn characters, extraordinary situations presented plausibly, plus exciting action and adventure."—Publishers Weekly
About the Author
John Varley is the author of the Gaean Trilogy (Titan, Wizard, and Demon), Steel Beach, The Golden Globe, Red Thunder, and Mammoth. He has won both the Nebula and Hugo Awards for his work.
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I ALWAYS THOUGHT the VentureStar looked like a tombstone. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
I ALWAYS THOUGHT the VentureStar looked like a tombstone. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Grabbing this book off the shelf, I was smacking my lips in anticipation of a great plot, interesting science and imaginative details. Instead, I got the worst of Heinlein's work.
I appreciated H's books when I was 12 and still believed in the power of the individual to move mountains. Events of the last 40 years have proved this to be unrealistic and I've gotten very cynical in all that time.
A lot of H's books were aimed at children. I've grown up and I resent being handed this watered down gruel by Varley, whose work I've always respected.
I didn't even finish this book. I got tired of reading the cajun patois voiced by many of the characters. It sounded hokey and unreal. I didn't like the fact that everyone has baggage that they're struggling against; in this story, it doesn't make them very interesting people.
Every creative person gets tired of doing the same old, same old. I understand that Varley might have wanted to branch out and do a very different style of story. But this book is a major flop. I'm appalled that neither he nor his publisher have so little respect for his fans.
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I love Varley. His Titan trilogy stands as one of the finest works in all SF. That's why this is --so-- disappointing. As others have pointed out, this is vaguely reminiscent of Heinlein's juvenile SF, but it is not nearly as good. This isn't appropriate for juveniles and I don't even think they would find it interesting. The first half of the book is about the variously messed up lives of some uninteresting teenagers. The character development is poor, the dialog is wooden. The "washed up ex-astronaut" and the events that led to his disgrace are implausible and the "character" is very poorly developed. The novel is supposed to be filled with coon-ass cajuns from south Lousiana. Well, I grew up in New Orleans, and these characters are completely hollow, with no authenticity.
I can't recommend this book at all. Read Titan/Wizard/Demon or the short fiction by this author, but this book is one to avoid.
By R. Albin
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The Amazon.com reviewer, Cynthia Ward, is almost correct that this novel is patterned on Robert Heinlein juvenile novels. This is a considerable understatement. This book is essentially an updated version of Heinlein's Rocket Ship Galileo. Strip away the contemporary window dressing and the story is that of a group of talented, and somewhat alienated teens, developing a space craft and beating opponents of America to another component of our solar system. This is Rocket Ship Galileo. Varley has also used several of Heinlein's typical plot devices. Many years ago, an intelligent critic commented that almost of Heinlein's heros are "practical men," intelligent and capable individuals with useful skills but usually not scientists or intellectuals. Several of his novels, notably the juvenile novels, are bildungsromans featuring the maturation of a practical man under the guidance of an older mentor. He used this device in some of his adult novels, including his best book, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, in which the maturing practical man is a sentient computer system. This plot device this the central instrument of character development in Red Thunder. Varley even imitates some of Heinlein's characteristic stylistic methods, including first person narration and the somewhat smart alecky tone of the narration. Varley is a competent writer and his prior books show that he is capable of considerable imagination. He can certainly do better than knockoffs like this.
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3.7 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not a Happy Camper
John Varley is one of my favorite authors. I like his work so much, I actually bought this book before reading the reviews here. That was a mistake. Read more
Published on May 28 2004 by David A. Lessnau
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Heinlein
Classic '60's Heinlein, only more so. Anyone expecting anything else, need not apply. I couldn't put it down.
Published on May 16 2004 by Gary A. Crowell Sr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
What an Entertaning Read!!!
I really enjoyed this book. It is the first book by Mr. Varley that I have ever read. It makes me want to go and check out some of his previous stuff. Read more
Published on May 10 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow ! Wow ! Wow !
What a book ! I grew up on Heinlen juveniles, this is great addition to that section of science fiction. Read more
Published on May 9 2004 by Michael Lynn Mcguire
1.0 out of 5 stars
What a waste!
Absolute unmitigated crap. A near-total waste of time. Complete drivel. John Varley owes me $7.99, plus tax.
Pardon the rant but I am SO disappointed in this book. Read more
Published on May 4 2004 by William Edison
1.0 out of 5 stars
Good writer, bad book
I got this book because I loved "Revelation Space" by the same author. I kept reading it because I thought something exciting would happen "soon". Read more
Published on Mar 22 2004 by Greger Wikstrand
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
I read a lot of science fiction. This is a light hearted interesting book even for those who do not "like" scifi! Would be good for young adults as well. Fun to read.
Published on Feb 14 2004
2.0 out of 5 stars
What Letdown!!
I absolutely LOVED Golden Globe - thought it one of the best tales to come along in quite a while. Therefore I was eagerly awaiting this book. Read more
Published on Feb 6 2004 by Avid Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Updated "Have Spacesuite..." - light, but quick and fun!
If you liked "Have Spacesuite Will Travel" when you were a kid, this is an updated version of the same basic story - kids going to outer space - with an updated... Read more
Published on Jan 2 2004 by Gal Bar-or
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nice Heinlein-homage, but runs low on rocket-fuel
Rating: 3.5 stars
The first SF book John Varley ever read was Heinlein's RED PLANET. RED THUNDER is his tribute to RP, and ROCKET SHIP GALILEO, and HAVE SPACESUIT, WILL TRAVEL,... Read more
Published on Nov 10 2003 by Peter D. Tillman
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