Terrifying aliens (that the surviving humans call Muskies) seem to have appeared on Earth at the same time a scientist named Wendell Carlson, now hiding out in the ruins of New York's Columbia University, is believed to have unleashed the "hyperosmic plague," destroying much of the world's population. Narrator Jacob Stone is determined to exact vengeance -- but finds that his assumptions about who unleashed the plague and the nature of the Muskies are false.
Jacob returns to his home across the river in New Jersey with a different, no less violent plan -- but finds himself in conflict with his community and wild, roving bands. His life and that of his future wife are in danger, and he must exercise every physical and mental skill -- including telepathic communication with the Muskies -- to save himself, his community, and the remains of civilization.
Acclaimed first novel by the author of MINDKILLER, CALLAHAN'S CROSSTIME SALOON and many others, including VARIABLE STAR by Robert A. Heinlein and Spider Robinson.
Spider Robinson is the 2008 winner of the Robert A. Heinlein Award for Lifetime Excellence in Literature, three-time winner of the Hugo Award, and winner of the Nebula Award for the novella STARDANCE, written with his wife Jeanne Robinson.
“Nobody’s perfect, but Spider comes pretty damned close.”
- Ben Bova
"If one were given the task of creating Spider Robinson from scratch, the best way to do it would be to snatch James Joyce from history, force-feed him Marx Brothers films and good jazz for the better part of a decade, then turn him loose on a world badly in need of a look at itself."
- The Vancouver Sun
"Spider Robinson is the hottest writer to hit science fiction since Harlan Ellison, and he can match the master’s frenetic energy and emotional intensity, arm-break for gut-wrench.”
- The Los Angeles Times
"Spider Robinson is the Tom Robbins of the 21st century."
- John Varley
"Spider Robinson is a master storyteller.”
- Allen Steele
[Spider Robinson] "embodies the best of Sturgeon, Heinlein, and Asimov."
- David Gerrold
