β Scribed by Robinson, Spider
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
This smoothly written, well-paced romp from Canadian author Robinson (Telempath) takes places in 2023 at Dreamworld, a Disneyland-style park, whose themes draw from SF, fantasy and 1960s popular culture. Twelve-year-old Mike tries to hide himself in Dreamworld, but runs into the "Mother Elf," a midget named Annie. Comparing notes, they begin to suspect that Dreamworld is being infiltrated, but by whom? They first suspect "aliens," then agents of Alonzo Haines, proprietor of Dreamworld's spatterpunk rival, Thrillworld. Then they discover that Haines's formidable enforcer, Randall Conway, is after the aliens and after them as well. Mike and Annie ally themselves with the mystery folk, particularly an ingenious little gentleman named Hormat with an arsenal of high-tech dirty tricks, simply in order to stay alive long enough to find out where Hormat is literally coming from. In due course, after Conway gets what he deserves, all secrets are revealed, with Hormat's being so unoriginal as to be almost anticlimactic. Besides piling on the warm fuzzies, Robinson pays blatant homage to Robert A. Heinlein, retelling the classic youth-and-mentor tale of that author's juveniles and referring extensively to his work in the Dreamworld themes. The conclusion hints at a sequel in which Mike and Annie will infiltrate Thrillworld. Fans of lightweight SF should be pleased. (Aug. 27)Hugo, Nebula and John W. Campbell awards.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
When young runaway Mike seeks refuge in Dreamworld, the world-famous theme park, he discovers that he is not the first to hide away in the park's underground passages. Along with veteran stowaway Annie, Mike learns that creatures known as Trolls have invaded Dreamworldand they seem to have a sinister reason for their presence in the park. Veteran sf humorist Robinson (the Callahan series) takes on American cultural icons with his customary love for irony and clever wordplay. A good choice for sf collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
π SIMILAR VOLUMES
Instead of giving him lunch money, Rexβs mom has signed him up for free meals. As a poor kid in a wealthy school district, better-off kids crowd impatiently behind him as he tries to explain to the cashier that heβs on the free meal program. The lunch lady is hard of hearing, so Rex has to shout. *F