Rating: 
Summary: Well-done but flawed
Review: I have mixed feelings about _Steel Beach_. On the positive side, Varley's writing style is witty, engaging, and very well-composed. Some utterly hilarious breaks from the main plot scattered in the book (e.g., the Alphans). Excellent depiction of an idyllic society that has lost its sense of adventure and become mired in its own decadence. Also some nice delving into gender issues, stemming from the fact that sex changes are readily available in this society. And you have to love how Varley is so flagrantly politically incorrect, cheerfully slamming authoritarianism, conservatism, environmentalism, liberalism, and quite a few other -isms in the same breath, without ever breaking pace from the story.However, there are some definite problems with this book, as well. To start with, the characterization is remarkably shallow for such a long book, with so many pointless characters being introduced throughout that you just want to scream, "Great, now GET ON WITH THE STORY ALREADY! " Even the central characters are fairly cardboard. And then there's the issue of the constant, blatant Heinlein-worship of the author, which grates on the nerves very quickly after the 'Heinleiner' concept is introduced. I also got the odd feeling during my reading that this story was a sort of wish-fulfillment for Varley; while this leads to some detailed, very nicely done scenes, it also tends to lead the author down unnecessary, often irritating tangents that don't really contribute anything to the story. All in all, however, this was a pretty darn good book, and I'd recommend it to anyone who has a fairly libertarian (or at least live and let live) bent.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the coolest heroines in any fiction novel
Review: I have read all of Varley's works, and this one, while off to a slightly slow start, is worth reading! By the middle, you will be up way past your bedtime following the adventures of Hildy, whose satirical sense of humor had me laughing out loud. A brilliant social and cultural commentary of the future, which reflects on the "lunacy" of many 20th century institutions, such as the ludicrousy of media hype and consumer madness. Non-stop action, great dialogue, and an engrossing story make this one of my favorite science fiction stories, out of the many, many I've read. You really feel like you're there in the future. And I think it IS the plebian aspect of the characters that make them so fun to read about
Rating: 
Summary: Broadly favourable
Review: I have recently taken a fifteen year break from reading science fiction, but as a teenager I had loved Varley's "eight worlds" short stories for their huge inventiveness. I bought this book from a second hand stall and enjoyed the first hundred pages very much indeed. The last hundred were pretty good too, but in between there was a fairly ponderous chunk of (to European tastes) rather overindulgent self-analytical deconstruction of the character, with a distinctly American flavour. Some of the almost obsessive dwelling on female-Hildy getting dressed and undressed smacked a little of eavesdropping on a personal fantasy, but not enough to disengage one from the story. As ever, the imaginative twists and turns of a writer who really thinks his universe through were sufficiently intriguing to keep me turning the pages until the end. Perhaps I'll read some more science fiction now.
Rating:
Summary: Broadly favourable
Review: I have recently taken a fifteen year break from reading science fiction, but as a teenager I had loved Varley's "eight worlds" short stories for their huge inventiveness. I bought this book from a second hand stall and enjoyed the first hundred pages very much indeed. The last hundred were pretty good too, but in between there was a fairly ponderous chunk of (to European tastes) rather overindulgent self-analytical deconstruction of the character, with a distinctly American flavour. Some of the almost obsessive dwelling on female-Hildy getting dressed and undressed smacked a little of eavesdropping on a personal fantasy, but not enough to disengage one from the story. As ever, the imaginative twists and turns of a writer who really thinks his universe through were sufficiently intriguing to keep me turning the pages until the end. Perhaps I'll read some more science fiction now.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book, but Too Much Sex
Review: I love this book (I've read it three times now), but I still find that there's too much sex in it. I understand why he's got it there (a bored society), but I just don't want a sci-fi book with a sexual theme. If you pull out that, then this book is a classic. It's written in a very Heinleinish way (of course the more recent Heinlein books all revolved around sex, too). It takes a lot from Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress." Wonderful book, fun to read, but don't give it to the kids.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book, but Too Much Sex
Review: I love this book (I've read it three times now), but I still find that there's too much sex in it. I understand why he's got it there (a bored society), but I just don't want a sci-fi book with a sexual theme. If you pull out that, then this book is a classic. It's written in a very Heinleinish way (of course the more recent Heinlein books all revolved around sex, too). It takes a lot from Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress." Wonderful book, fun to read, but don't give it to the kids.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!! Varley is a master story teller.
Review: I loved this book for several reasons, but I think the thing that I enjoyed the most was the sheer scope of this enthralling novel and the way Varley presents it. John Varley is a master of the english language and paints a vivid picture of his Lunar future with the subtlety of a Rembrandt, the style of a Picasso and the inventiveness of Dali. Varley writes with a wonderful sense of humor and a great "campy" style. "Steel Beach" may not be for everyone, it's stops, twists, sub plots and overall length make it a tough, but ultimately thoroughly enjoyable read. Bravo Mr. Varley!!
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book!
Review: I loved this book. I was given it one day when i was recovering from an illness. I really enjoy the combination of humor and philosophy that Varley inserts into his books. This book was reminiscent of the better parts of 1984, especially with the Big Brother type theme. I enjoyed the constant twist in plot and his style that is so enjoyable to read. Unfortunately, I lent it to a friend one day, and haven't gotten it back! I can't wait to read it again and again.
Rating: 
Summary: The only book I tossed into the trash after finishing it!
Review: I took Clancy's recommendation to heart, got some of the back story on this book, and then bought it. I read it furiously through and the moment I finished off the last sentence I made a 3-point throw for my dorm room's trashcan with it. That was circa 1994. I can vividly recall my frustration with this book. It is indeed excellently written, but it does meander about. The killer for me was having to take all this in through the persona of the book's narrator, a character I could find very little redeeming in. So why 2 stars and not one or none? As I think back on it, the author's purpose may have been close to that of Huxley's in Brave New World. The setting was probably bizarre enough to throw me off this comparison at the time (Humanity has been booted off the earth by a super-advanced race that does not enter into the plot at all, strangely enough). Varley gives us a glimpse of a society - coddled by an authoritarian, meddlesome, self-conscious supercomputer - that is utterly saturated in material goods, insular, and complacent. Sound familar? Replace the supercomputer with a certain politican who 'feels our pain'. Get the picture? No wonder this book was so frustrating.
Rating:
Summary: One line? Brilliant.
Review: I'm not trying to parrot Clancy here: if you don't think Varley is the most brilliant writer in current SciFi . . . er . . . with the possible exception of William Gibson, Vernor Vinge or Bruce Sterling . . . Hell. Read it again. Until you get it. This novel is about what we CAN become. About the possibilities we can embrace, if we're willing. Yet, like the best work through history, it's still fun and entertaining. Dickens. Sinclair. Euripides. Varley. And others, of course . . . You know . . . people who could tell you a story and still show a better way for all of us to live. If that ain't important, and what literature is supposed to be doing . . . I'll start watching TV. (Gasp.) Maybe not.
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