THURSTON, Robert (Donald)

(1936-)

   US writer who published his first story, "Stop Me before I Tell More", in Orbit 9 (anth 1971) ed Damon KNIGHT, and who was for some years known only for his short work. This is notable more for its examination of individual humans caught in social or sexual extremis than for any specific extrapolative bent, so that moments of genuine insight or threat tend to be lost in weak plotting. His first novel, Alicia II (1978), exemplifies this problem, introducing an interesting existential problem (the brain of an old man is implanted into the body of a young "retread"and the new amalgam must come to terms with the kind of society which legitimizes this obscene method of attaining longevity for a few) but foundering in the telling, which confusedly leads the protagonist into improbable PULP-MAGAZINE adventures. RT's second independent novel, A Set of Wheels (in Clarion, anth 1971, as "Wheels"; exp1983), shows the same difficulty, but his third, Q Colony (in The Berkley Showcase 4 [anth 1981] ed John W. SILBERSACK and Victoria Schochet as "The Oonaa Woman"; exp 1985), set in a research station on an ALIEN planet whose inhabitants caninterbreed with humans, explores his usual material - sex and identity - with greater aplomb.It may be, however, that RT will remain best known for a series of ties, the most significant being his contributions to the Battlestar Galactica sequence, all with Glen A. LARSON: BattlestarGalactica * (1978), \#2: The Cylon Death Machine*(1979), \#3: The Tombs of Kobol* (1979), \#4: The Young Warriors * (1980), \#11: The Nightmare Machine * (1985), \#12: "Die, Chameleon!" * (1986), \#13: Apollo's War * (1987) and \#14: Surrender the Galactica! * (1987). His sequence of BattleTech ties begins with Legend of the Jade Phoenix \#1: Way of the Clans * (1991), \#2: Bloodname * (1991) and \#3: Falcon Guard * (1991). Singleton ties includeRobot Jox * (1989), based on a screenplay by Joe HALDEMAN (ROBOT JOX), and Isaac Asimov's Robot City: Robots and Aliens \#3: Intruder * (1990).

   JC

   See also: GAMES AND SPORTS; REINCARNATION.