I figured it was time to revisit some old favorites and Callahan's Saloon seemed like a good place to start. I've missed Jake, the Doc, Fast Eddie, and Callahan, himself, and the others, so it was nice just listen to some truly awful puns and fun storytelling. The riddles in book two don't quite work in audio format, but otherwise, not bad as an audio book.

>Steps up to the chalkline with a glass of Shirley Temple and holds it up: to some wonderful memories of the past! Drinking off the rest of the glass, I raise my arm and throw the glass dead center of the fireplace. Smashing glass has a wonderfully satisfying sound, doesn't it? ( )

Reading this was an odd experience for me; a lot of it felt hackneyed, until I realized that that was because it had been so influential over the past forty years. The first two stories in the collection are the most important, especially the one that discusses the idea of "time traveling the hard way". The 1970s eastern mystical transcendentalism becomes obvious in the last story, but otherwise these tales are not at all dated. I'd recommend reading this in the bath with a beer if only because of the amount of influence this volume has exerted over modern speculative fiction. ( )

I got what I needed from Callahan’s Place

I’m pretty sure it was Ben Laifsky who took me to Callahan’s Place the first time. We were sophomores in high school, and he loaned me Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon. And I continued reading Callahan’s stories and Spider Robinson for many years to come. It wasn’t the (fortunately light) science fiction elements of the stories that were the appeal. For me, it was all about the humor, bad puns and all.

Having stumbled across this omnibus collection of the earliest Callahan’s stories (comprised of the books Callahan’s Crosstime Saloon, Time Travelers Strictly Cash, and Callahan’s Secret) during an audible.com $5 sale, I couldn’t resist the impulse purchase and revisiting with these old friends. For the past few months I listened to one a night as a bedtime story before falling asleep, and I can think of worse ways to end the day.

The jokes really are pretty bad, but then they’re advertised as such. In Callahan’s, Robinson created a place where everybody not only knows your name, but your entire life story. And they’re pretty much guaranteed to love you unconditionally and fix all of your problems. What’s not to like? Did I happen to mention the aliens, time travelers, and talking dog?

That said, I can’t claim the same affection for these stories that I once had. For starters, references to Nixon and Vietnam were dated when I first read these stories in the early 80’s, but now they’re positively period pieces! It’s a little weird to realize just how much time has passed since these were written. They have not aged like a fine wine. Also, and this is sad, but the oft repeated mantra “shared pain is lessened, while shared joy increased,” might have seemed profound when I was 14, but today seems simplistic.

Clearly revisiting these stories was not unpleasant, or I would not have listened to Barrett Whitener’s broad comic performance for 17 hours. Still, I doubt I’ll feel the need to read or listen to these stories again. On the other hand, I see that Robinson has continued writing several new Callahan’s novels in recent years that I’ve never seen. Perhaps I’ll give one of them a look the next time I’m feeling nostalgic. ( )

There's a place out on Route 25A in Suffolk County, Long Island, New York; a unique tavern, indeed, but you couldn't tell by looking at it. Oh sure, the jumble of parked cars out front would seem a little odd, like a bumper cars rally frozen in time, or the fact that there was no mirror behind the bar like you'd see in any other drinking institution.
But that's all superficial and easily explained. What makes this institution so very special would require you to spend some time seated at the bar or one of the tables, enjoying a drink made with care and professionalism, before understanding dawned on you.

You see, this place you've found out on 25A (or wherever you are) - and you can only find it when you need to - is Callahan's Place: a cross-time saloon and interstellar stop-over frequented by the kindest, nicest, most loyal group of regulars in the whole wide world...and far, far beyond.

There's a motto the folks at Callahan's believe in: "Shared pain is lessened, shared joy is increased." And two rules scrupulously followed: 1)Don't ask prying questions. 2)If a problem is shared, whoever's listening does all they can to help solve the problem.

Come pay a visit to Callahan's and meet the most bizarre blend of barflies you're likely to meet...and never forget. ( )

http://www.lincolnlibraries.org/depts/bookguide/kfor/kfor2004.htm#2004Jul ( )