NUTZENBOLTS AND MORE TROUBLES WITH MACHINES

S.f. stories of varying merit, which somehow don't work as a collection -- too much duplication of plots and gags. Goulart's gift is for short, inspired bursts of satiric invention, and most of these pieces have a 1990's setting that is made to order for random potshots at contemporary insanity. Forget the plots, characters, and occasional attempts to say something about men and machines, and surrender to the irresponsible, irresistible charm of Goulart's prophetic one-liners -- e.g., Manhattan State Formless College. Some of the stories are a lot less than the sum of their parts, but three or four succeed hilariously.