zworlund's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Minor: War, Violence, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racial slurs, Death, Xenophobia, Misogyny, and Sexual content
wispy_reviews's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I’ve said before that old Sci-Fi rarely ages well, this novel is my case and point.
This work is held as a cornerstone of modern Sci-Fi, which I don’t think is an unfair statement; the first half of this book had very interesting dialogue and self reflection on the role of religion and faith in modern day. That being said, the author’s other theses are gratingly misogynistic and homophobic throughout, spoken through a “genius science fiction author” character as a weak self-insertion. Themes of strictly heterosexual polygamy are a repeating pattern in Heinlein’s work, of which I’ve only read two but it’s funny that it’s happened twice.
This work is held as a cornerstone of modern Sci-Fi, which I don’t think is an unfair statement; the first half of this book had very interesting dialogue and self reflection on the role of religion and faith in modern day. That being said, the author’s other theses are gratingly misogynistic and homophobic throughout, spoken through a “genius science fiction author” character as a weak self-insertion. Themes of strictly heterosexual polygamy are a repeating pattern in Heinlein’s work, of which I’ve only read two but it’s funny that it’s happened twice.
Graphic: Homophobia and Misogyny
Moderate: Violence and Religious bigotry
shieldbearer's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
0.25
This book has all the qualities i hated in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, but dialed up even more. There's no denying that it's an influential book, or even that some of the concepts the Heinlein is trying to get across are important. The problem is that he can't seem to engage in these discussions without being racist. The good parts of the book are heavily intwined with racism and ableism, and there's so much else going on that honestly I cannot recommend this book even with a critical read through. Someone could do something incredible with the base concept, but it's not worth the time taken to read.
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, Acephobia/Arophobia, Death, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Confinement, Racism, Cannibalism, Classism, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Colonisation, Xenophobia, Drug use, Gun violence, Alcohol, and Kidnapping
Minor: Suicide, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
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