I am finally finishing the Stainless Steel Rat Gets Drafted.

Why has this relatively short novel taken me so long to read?

Well, it’s just not that good.

Normally if I start a book and it sucks I immediately put it away and start something new. In this case, however, it doesn’t suck. It’s just not that good. Now, I love the character of Slippery Jim diGriz. And now, about 2/3 of the way through the book it has gotten better. There’s just not really that much science fiction in this particular science fiction novel, and I think that is the problem.

HOWEVER - the character is memorable and great, and I am reading it as an example of what a really great rogue-ish character in Traveller might be, and that makes a difference.