Off the Wall at Callahan's

Callahan's

by Spider Robinson

All the best lines from the Saloon at the far-out edge of space-time!

Off the Wall at Callahan's is a collection of epigrams, maxims, proverbs, observations, eye-watering puns, and original song lyrics distilled from the first five volumes of the Callahan's Place series (from Callahan's Crosstime Saloon to Lady Slings the Booze ). After the original Callahan's Place was destroyed, all of these gems were painstakingly deciphered from blown-up old photos of the wall behind the bar, where Callahan let his customers scrawl graffiti in place of the usual mirror. So technically, every word is "off the wall." Further ennobled by numerous interior B&W illustrations by Phil Foglio, there are even capsule bios at the end for every person (real or imaginary) quoted in the graffiti section.

Welcome to Callahan's Crosstime Saloon . . .There's no place like it in this, or any other, universe.

Genres: Science Fiction, Humor, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Spider Robinson is an American-born Canadian Hugo and Nebula award winning science fiction author. He was born in the USA, but chose to live in Canada, and gained citizenship in his adopted country in 2002.

Robinson's writing career began in 1972 with a sale to Analog Science Fiction magazine of a story entitled, The Guy With The Eyes. His writing proved popular, and his first novel saw print in 1976, Telempath. Since then he has averaged a novel (or collection) a year. His most well known stories are the Callahan saloon series.

Reviews

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book for one simple reason: It introduced me to the Callahan universe. I snagged this from my dad's shelf when I was still pretty young, and got a feel for the crazy, punny style of Spider Robinson's writing.
It was a nice primer for getting to know some characters as well. By the time I'd started reading the novels I already felt like the patrons of Callahan's were dear friends.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Worth a chuckle or two for Callahan fans (and books associated with them such as the Lady Sally books), this is pretty much a greatest one-liner's collection. I bought it once upon a time, not sure I even bothered to keep my copy, as I prefer my silly quotes in context.

Worth skimming at the library or bookstore. Worth buying? No.

[Andrew Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recycling

The Callahan's family stories have been enormous fun... so much so they've attained FANdom (though hotel management has been unamused with events (possibly) related to Callahan's fans attendance at events like DragonCon).
That said, I have to regretfully recommend a pass on this book... it's a recap collection of the most memorable moments from the series? Well that's an oxymoron rather than a pun, which is likely how it slipped past ol Spidey.

Definitely read the other books though!

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love lines, quotations, outtakes. This is a wonderful capper to the series.

[Rich]

WANTED,Callahan's #8

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty much a book of quotes: mainly really good quotes.

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have read Callahan stories, this is a must read collection of quotes on living a life.

[Jeff Ritterpusch · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a cool book to have in your collection if you're a Callahan fan.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to reread this whole series one day.

[Joshua Friesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just plain bonkers fun.

[QuoththeRaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of some of the best "quotes" from the various denizens of Callahan's Crosstime Saloon.

[Cozette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious! I hadn't read any of the books when I first read this, and it still cracked me up.