Date: 15 Jan 1986 16:02:25 EST (Wed)
From: Dan Hoey <hoey@nrl-aic.ARPA>
To: SF-LOVERS
Subject: NIGHT OF POWER by Spider Robinson

Spider Robinson's new novel is out in paperback.  NIGHT OF POWER
is a near-future look at the prognosis for racial conflict in
the United States.  It's got startlingly realistic cultural and
technological extrapolation, full of the usual Spider loving
kindness and tender philosophy, leavened with an unusual amount of
sex and violence.  People whose stomachs will not take the S&V are
to be pitied, for they will miss a good read.  People who *like*
S&V will be teased, but not spoiled, by the information that
he describes an achingly beautiful first orgasm, and the most
imaginative homicide I have ever heard of.

For those of you who want to see slant labels on their sex, let
me warn you that the sex is all hetero, and touches on (and
occasionally fondles) prostitution, rape, pubescents, adultery,
and (gasp) miscegenation.  This notice is a transparent excuse for
offering my opinion that people who want sexual orientation labels
on book covers have their head in the sand or worse.  I'd rather
that novelists feel free to include whatever form of sexuality will
serve their theme, but that warning labels be required on the dull,
trite, boring, unreadable, stupid slush that fills ninety percent of
the bookshelves.  Which is harder to identify with, characters full
of lust for members of their own sex, or characters full of nothing
at all?

I am glad to see that Spider, famed nemesis of the Hax of Sol III,
has taken the initiative in instituting my scheme of warnings.
The absence of inanity labels on NIGHT OF POWER is true truth in
advertising.

Dan