A lot of fun. This was about Lady Sally's Brothel, which sounds like a place all of us would love to visit, if not work. It's like a high-class whorehouse with plenty of style and plenty of cool people. So obviously, we go hang out at Lady Sally's to get our primal leanings in order, then we mosey on over to Callahan's for a quick drink or seven.Just like in the spirit of the Callahan's books, this book is full of characters and their personal stories. It's actually quite enjoyable in a completely different, albeit exactly similar, style. You'll know what I mean if you've read any of Spider Robinson's stuffI think it bears repeating that if you're looking for serious literature, or at least fiction that does not include strange monsters and - well, for instance, men who turn into were-beagles - then you need not apply here.I also think, however, that I should remind you that I would never - even on my worst day, ever ever, ever consider reading anything about a were-beagle in a book by an author who was trying to take himself seriously. If you actually try to sell me a story about some hogwashical bullsh like that, I'll show you the fastest way you can imagine to put a book down.But Spider is exempt from all of that. He knows it's not serious. It's tongue-in-cheek fiction. It's all in good fun. And it's a lot of it. Definitely check it out!
I am surprised I liked this as much as I did. It's about a very idealized, liberal, inclusive bordello the way the Callahan's Place books are based on an idealized bar. The thing that surprises me most is that it actually sounds like both a fun place to visit and a fun place to work.It's not quite a novel - it's really a linked set of shorts. The first one covers the background and introduction of Sherry, our viewpoint character. Then there are several shorter episodes dealing with various characters, from the guy with the insatiable sex drive (played for pity rather than laughs) and the woman who invented mind control. Then the last section is an extended caper, not particularly dependent on Sally's for anything other than the final deus ex machina.I had a couple of twitches about things - the mind-control episode in particular rang very false - but it was definitely nice to see gender and sexuality played with in a surprisingly modern way, and over the course of mostly-fun adventures.
What do You think about Callahan's Lady (2001)?
Spider Robinson is the only author whose short stories I like better than his longer works. This is a novella collection better connected than a simple collection normally would be, but it is really a bunch of distinct stories. It's good without being great; you don't feel like you belong to Lady Sally's House the way you feel like you belong at Callahan's. It seems to stretch disbelief a lot harder: a bar with nice people that also gets aliens, etc, has an element of the believable and the fantastic. A whorehouse that is nice has already used up my disbelief before we get onto the meat of the story. The conclusion leaves much to be desired: deus ex futura.
—Steven
I like this book. It is set in the same world/time as the Callahan's Bar books, but in a different place. A brothel. The best brothel in New York. Narrated by one of the "artists" in the house after she is saved by the madam from her murderous pimp. The brothel is run by Callahan's wife and she has the same philosophy that he does. Creating a place where people from all walks of life can relax and enjoy each other's company. From a social, communal lounge areas, to private and very specific "entertainment" rooms. And in doing this, helping people with their damage. One of the things that I love most about it is that my current housemates reflex this philosophy. They read these books as adolescents and incorporated it into their lives. And now I am reading them. And they are fantastic.
—Hobbes
This is actually a collection of short stories with a common setting and characters. I hadn't realized this before reading, and since I'm not a short story fan, I was disappointed. It does provide some very intriguing scenarios that are not well developed (which is why I'm generally averse to short stories). Each story is built on plot and is well devised and written however. I woulod recommend this to those who like sci-fi/fantasy (I'm not sure where this falls with its were-beagle) short stories.
—TheIron Paw
