jae_lou's review
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
quoththegirl's review
1.0
The best thing about this book was the inscription penciled into the front of my copy:
To Wylie with love on Christmas '71
Love, Tom
"I ain't no hawk,
I ain't no Dove,
just want to get a gun
and shoot 'em full of love."
--BB King, reprinted with permission
I started reading this on Christmas 2021, exactly 50 years later (then got distracted by seven other books before finally finishing it this week). I wonder where you are now, Wylie.
Sadly, the book itself was utterly tedious. I didn't realize until finishing "Waldo" that "Magic, Inc." was a separate, unrelated story and not the latter half of one story's title. "Waldo" would have made a passable short story but was mind-numbingly drawn-out in novella form. Like a lot of older scifi, the concept mattered more than the plot or the characters. That's fine in a short story, but longer works need something else to hang onto, and the concept was fairly unremarkable. "Magic, Inc." was so incredibly boring that my eyes were crossing and by the end I was mostly skimming. If I want detailed legal briefs on obscure bills, I can read them in real life, thank you. I imagine the only reason these two stories were thrown together is that they both deal with magic; they don't fit together otherwise.
To Wylie with love on Christmas '71
Love, Tom
"I ain't no hawk,
I ain't no Dove,
just want to get a gun
and shoot 'em full of love."
--BB King, reprinted with permission
I started reading this on Christmas 2021, exactly 50 years later (then got distracted by seven other books before finally finishing it this week). I wonder where you are now, Wylie.
Sadly, the book itself was utterly tedious. I didn't realize until finishing "Waldo" that "Magic, Inc." was a separate, unrelated story and not the latter half of one story's title. "Waldo" would have made a passable short story but was mind-numbingly drawn-out in novella form. Like a lot of older scifi, the concept mattered more than the plot or the characters. That's fine in a short story, but longer works need something else to hang onto, and the concept was fairly unremarkable. "Magic, Inc." was so incredibly boring that my eyes were crossing and by the end I was mostly skimming. If I want detailed legal briefs on obscure bills, I can read them in real life, thank you. I imagine the only reason these two stories were thrown together is that they both deal with magic; they don't fit together otherwise.
theoreticalwitchcraft's review
4.0
(I am only reviewing the titular novella)
This novella is an excellent example of how a fantasy setting can be used to tell a variety of stories, and not just the usual sword-and-sorcery adventure which is most commonly associated to the genre.
While the story is interesting and very well written (not even the Italian translation, which as I've stated again and again is usually clunky as hell, managed to spoil it), it has some flaws, especially in character building: while you glimpse interesting facets in all the characters, the limited length doesn't really allow to explore such a large cast.
It also has a sexist streak, although tamer than in other works from the period. There is a rather long rant on how women are inherently bad politicians because of their gender and the mp who helps the main characters is successful in politics only because she is so very different from other women (bleaurgh).
Although the length is about right for this story, I found myself wishing I could read more about this universe, as the little worldbuilding we glimpse is maybe the most interesting part of the story. I think a story from the POV of a magic user would be ideal, so we could see the inner workings of the magic system.
This novella is an excellent example of how a fantasy setting can be used to tell a variety of stories, and not just the usual sword-and-sorcery adventure which is most commonly associated to the genre.
While the story is interesting and very well written (not even the Italian translation, which as I've stated again and again is usually clunky as hell, managed to spoil it), it has some flaws, especially in character building: while you glimpse interesting facets in all the characters, the limited length doesn't really allow to explore such a large cast.
It also has a sexist streak, although tamer than in other works from the period. There is a rather long rant on how women are inherently bad politicians because of their gender and the mp who helps the main characters is successful in politics only because she is so very different from other women (bleaurgh).
Although the length is about right for this story, I found myself wishing I could read more about this universe, as the little worldbuilding we glimpse is maybe the most interesting part of the story. I think a story from the POV of a magic user would be ideal, so we could see the inner workings of the magic system.
benwyman's review
3.0
This is actually two novellas - one is a pretty decent idea that ends up mostly falling apart, and the other an extremely good idea that absolutely crashes and burns as it goes along. The focus on both ends up burrowing in on some of the more bizarre minor details of the story rather than following through on any of the plot setup.
If you’re gonna read Heinlein, don’t start here.
If you’re gonna read Heinlein, don’t start here.
jokoloyo's review against another edition
3.0
I stopped reading after I read "Waldo" story.
I didn't expect the story is about magic-based speculative fiction. There are technological-based factors in the story (I read about the waldoes in this story from a few articles years back), but the main factor is energy from Other World.
The main plot is not so easily to see at first. I see this short story is generally about the main protagonist's character growing.
I didn't expect the story is about magic-based speculative fiction. There are technological-based factors in the story (I read about the waldoes in this story from a few articles years back), but the main factor is energy from Other World.
The main plot is not so easily to see at first. I see this short story is generally about the main protagonist's character growing.
ratbaggy's review
3.0
Two novellas collected in one volume. Early 50's they were collected. Written earlier. Waldo is an excellent piece, tying environmental concerns and handicapped issues into a space novel. Interesting and way ahead of its time. Magic is about magic and boring as hell. Maybe the worst Heinlein story I have ever read. 4 stars for Waldo and 2 stars for Magic, Inc.
miss_tricia's review against another edition
2.0
Neither of these novellas was anything groundbreaking. Waldo maybe is trying to make the point that we are all essentially good, or that overcoming our weaknesses makes us good, or something. But mostly it's not that interesting. And Magic, Inc. is a none-too-engaging tale about the problems with mega-corporations.
chan_fry's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This is two long novellas mashed into one book. The second ("Magic, Inc.") is surprisingly diverse, considering it was written by a white man in 1940. Both stories feature magic, but were written by a guy known for hard sci-fi.
shanehawk's review against another edition
4.0
Before reading the preface I hadn’t known these were two separate short stories. It was funny to read Doubleday approached Heinlein to publish these two together and he asked what the hell, those two go together like mustard and watermelon. 😂
Waldo was a really cool read. Did Heinlein envision remote-controlled surgical manipulators in the 40s? The da Vinci Surgical System was approved by the FDA in 2000. Crazy if so. Magic, Inc. was a little fun, but I’m not a fan of fantasy so my enjoyment was limited. Still, I think it’s worth reading these novellas written in 1940 and 1942. It’s a different flavor of Heinlein for sure.
Waldo was a really cool read. Did Heinlein envision remote-controlled surgical manipulators in the 40s? The da Vinci Surgical System was approved by the FDA in 2000. Crazy if so. Magic, Inc. was a little fun, but I’m not a fan of fantasy so my enjoyment was limited. Still, I think it’s worth reading these novellas written in 1940 and 1942. It’s a different flavor of Heinlein for sure.