Callahan's Crosstime Saloon (Paperback)

There is a mystery to Callahan's, it is a place that has some mystical power to heal the wounds of the soul, a power that seems to be solely comprised of camaraderie and friendship.

In Callahan's every Monday is the Fireside Fill-More Sing-a-Long, every Tuesday is Punday, every Wednesday is Tall Tales Night, and everyday is a celebration of life.

This frivolous and bawdy tale is told by one Jake Stonebender, a man who lost his wife and daughter in an automobile accident and came to Callahan's to find healing. He introduces us to Mike Callahan himself, plus Old Doc Webster, a large, red faced doctor who is always present; Fast Eddie Costigan, the piano player; Mickey Finn, the alien sent to destroy the world who winds out a regular at Callahan's; young Tommy Janssen who kicks his herion habit to join the happy ranks at the bar; Rachael, whose extended mortality only makes her more aware of death; and many others.

Along the way we hear fantastical stories by young Jim McDonald about his telepathic brother Paul, the Meddler who tells a tale of time travel to save a beautiful singer, Tony Telasco who refused to kill anyone in 'Nam and went from booze to smack to mediation to Callahan's, Fogerty and his telekinetic powers during the Third Annual Darts Championship of the Universe, and even Broodseven-Sub-Two Raksha, who spins a tale of incubating the earth for his people in order to harvest it.

Callahan's Crosstime Saloon is only 205 pages, and while I enjoyed the bawdy humor and basic plot of the story, I did find it to be just a little dry in the telling. But, since this is the first in Spider Robinson's series, I am looking forward to reading more sequels, and hoping that he falls into a more liquid and flowing niche with this fun tale. Enjoy!

Did I mention that the clientel of Callahan's are not just your ordinary Outsiders? It is not at all uncommon for time travellers, aliens, mutants, to cross the threshold. As long as you don't pull any rough stuff there, all are welcome at Callahan's.

The funny thing is, places like Callahan's do actually exist. You don't find them, or even here about them, unless you really need to find them. They are havens outside the world where good fellowship, respect, and empathy still maintain a toehold in this brave new world.

If you'll excuse me, I feel a need to hurl yet another glass into the fireplace....

This book is a great blend of humor and science fiction. Robinson puts inventive spins on classic sci-fi themes. He also deals effectively with such down-to-earth issues as war, motherhood, and personal loss. The book is also full of puns--the Callahan's regulars observe a Punday contest.

Along the way Robinson invokes Isaac Asimov and Charles Fort. The book as a whole is grounded by a real compassion for the human (and nonhuman!) condition--this is sci-fi with both brains and heart.