Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 12:24:51 -0500
From: Kit Mason <kit at hers.com>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: time travel
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

"Strong, Lee" wrote:
>
>         Both Heinlein stories have been cited in serious physics books to
> illustrate the apparent problems with time travel, including a wonderful
> chart of the protagonist's worldline.

I've read them -- I've read all of Heinlein at one point or another --
and they're fine but for me they come under the category of 'puzzle
stories', little intellectual pieces like mystery short-stories, with a
prize for the winner and not a whole lot of characterization.  I prefer
stories that have stronger (and better) characters, and ones in which
the actual effects of the time shift can be shown through characters'
behavior in more than just a snapshot.  What can I say?  I'd rather read
about people than dissect the author's head games, and Heinlein's
'authorial voice' comes through so strongly in much of his work that
it's intensely annoying.

Yes, I realize this is heresy to much of SF fandom, but I'm saying this
having paid the dues of reading all of it first.

Kit