awilderm23's review against another edition
3.0
'Like most Americans, I did not understand royalty, did not really approve of the institution in my heart-and had a sneaking, unadmitted awe of kings. After all, we Americans came in by the back door. When we swapped associate status under treaty for the advantages of a full voice in the affairs of the Empire, it was explicitly agreed that our local institutions, our own constitution, and so forth, would not be affected- and tacitly agreed that no member of the royal family would ever visit America. Maybe that is a bad thing. Maybe if we were used to royalty we would not be so impressed by them.'
blake921's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nsfinch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was so incredibly fun to me, BUT I think it was fun because Bronson Pinchot's narration of the audiobook was so absolutely exquisite. I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much if I'd read the print version, because all the sexism and racism would have stood out much more. But Pinchot's performance made the character so three-dimensional and entertaining that I was pretty much delighted from start to finish. It's a good premise for a story, and I appreciated the way it played out in this book.
manuphoto's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It has its flaws of course, but I was a fun and light read, unlike some other Heinlein works.
His politics and gender roles are very 1950s, but it is what it is. That’s who the man was and when he lived. But he did craft an interesting story, well paced, with an excellent main character and good support cast.
It is more a comedy than a true sci-fi book, but Heinlein knows his sci-fi and uses to good fun.
His politics and gender roles are very 1950s, but it is what it is. That’s who the man was and when he lived. But he did craft an interesting story, well paced, with an excellent main character and good support cast.
It is more a comedy than a true sci-fi book, but Heinlein knows his sci-fi and uses to good fun.
stev's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
armamix's review
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
madmadder's review
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jarichan's review against another edition
4.0
Mein erster Heinlein, aber definitiv nicht mein letzter. Das Buch hat mich von Beginn an in seinen Bann gezogen und liess mich bis zum Schluss nicht mehr los.
Man merkt dem Text sein Alter eindeutig an, aber ich finde, genau das macht den Charme der klassischen Sci-Fi aus. Wie haben sich die Menschen in den 50ern das Leben im 21. Jahrhundert vorgestellt? Definitiv nicht papierlos, zumindest nicht bei Heinlein.
Die Szenen mit den Marsmenschen fand ich auch äusserst spannend und eindrucksvoll.
Man merkt dem Text sein Alter eindeutig an, aber ich finde, genau das macht den Charme der klassischen Sci-Fi aus. Wie haben sich die Menschen in den 50ern das Leben im 21. Jahrhundert vorgestellt? Definitiv nicht papierlos, zumindest nicht bei Heinlein.
Die Szenen mit den Marsmenschen fand ich auch äusserst spannend und eindrucksvoll.
jkusters's review against another edition
4.0
I originally read this book many years ago (nearly thirty, I think), and I enjoyed the re-read. It's a satisfying story, not hugely original, but well written and well paced. It does reflect the technology of 1950's America, and more so the attitudes. There are parts that are repulsively sexist by modern standards. But such attitudes were common in the age in which this novella was written. All in all, I find this to be one of the more enjoyable of Heinlein's early works.
aksharpes's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75