This concluding volume of the LIfehouse Trilogy turned out to be my favorite installment. I enjoyed the three separate storylines and how they converged at the end. Robinson's typically bad puns abound throughout and the characters are a bit too clever to be realistic but, all in all, it's a fun story with enough development of, and connection to, the earlier volumes, (something that was severely lacking in 'Time Pressure' until the last 25% of that book), to make for a decent wrap-up to the trilogy.

Speaking of which... this 'trilogy' is only loosely connected in that each book follows its own set of characters and events. In fact, this third installment is more of a prequel than sequel - but it's all sort of the same thing allowing for the time-travel conceit that Robinson posits. ( )

I love all of Spider Robinson's writing and I am glad he chose Canada to make his home. This book is set in Vancouver and tells the story of June Bellamy who returns from a walk in the park with memories missing. She and her partner are on the run because it appears the missing memories are the result of some strange people (or are they people?) ( )

The final (so far) novel in Robinson's future history series, where human memory can be uploaded, and a group mind (though without losing one's individuality) has formed. This group mind decided that every human should be granted immortality (good idea), so back in time are despatched "lifehouses" in which human, post-death memory and personality are recorded and stored for a future revival. So far so good.

This carefully laid plan goes awry. In Canada, a wandering grifter stumbles across evidence that lifehouses exist, and before her memory can be erased, she and her boyfriend flee with this knowledge. The two lifehouse guardians pursue, but along the way the two absconders ally with two science fiction fen, who together push the situation to the point of public disclosure. This would result in a time paradox, and bring the whole project crashing down.

The tense standoff is resolved by the visit of the female grifters deceased mother, returned briefly from the future to the present, who reveals the true benign purpose of the lifehouse project. From here it is a happy ending. The two couples (grifter and SF) settle down and live happily ever after—or at least until they are revived.


The story is told in Robinson's usual rich style: lots of emotional dialogue, insights into human nature, and relationships. In this novel the author makes a clear and sometimes humorous nod to the science fiction community, and an equally clear vote of approval to Canada over the USA. The adventure is told well, twists and turns, a perilous closeness to failure, capped with last minute success. The minor characters are each drawn well, though, perhaps a tad cliched. An amusing story, with a message or two, and an optimistic outcome. Great!

I have re-read several times, maybe once more? ( )

http://www.amazon.com/review/RJY... ( )

Despite sporting one of the worst covers I've ever seen, I think this is one of Robinson's best books.