STEEL BEACH

Imitative 23rd-century lunar ruling-computer-goes-mad yarn from the author of, most recently, Blue Champagne (1986). Two centuries after plot-device-only aliens invade and occupy Earth, the self-contained colony of Juna is run by the omnipresent Central Computer; its inhabitants enjoy a worry-free, want-free environment of perfect health and longevity. Hildy Johnson is a top reporter for (the equivalent of) a leading tabloid newspaper; what he doesn't know is why he keeps trying to kill himself. The CC prepares a series of artificial memories designed to explore Hildy's problem; but gradually Hildy learns that the CC itself has suicidal impulses (it's been forced to destroy several of its own subsystems). Indeed, the CC's problem may be causing Hildy's! Following a sex change, Hildy discovers that a crashed and apparently abandoned prototype starship actually contains a thriving colony of dissenters; they have made some startling scientific discoveries but fear becoming controlled by the CC, whose actions are growing ever more bizarre and dangerous. Though initially suspicious, ``Heinleiners'' come to trust Hildy, and explain their program (genetic research, interstellar flight, etc.). But then the CC—now insane, with ``good'' and ``evil'' aspects in conflict—attacks, intending to capture or kill Hildy. Hildy escapes, barely, while the CC is put out of action, and the child that Hildy has just given birth to dies. Sort of a Great Heinlein Memorial Novel—tediously so at times—hardworking and with flashes of wit, but weighed down with expository chat, a thin and contrived plot, and poorly defined characters. Once a prodigious talent, Varley has subsided into an overblown, obfuscatory mode that will disappoint all but his most ardent fans.