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jdhacker's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I was giving this a re-read, as I found a copy in a box of books from my aunt.
Obviously, being Heinlein, there are going to be some things to offend, whether or not they were actual representations of his personal philosophy or not. The usual drastic misunderstandings of socialism, libertarianism, flirtations with militaristic fascism, a really weird flavour of misogyny, lots of free-love without basically any boundaries...but again, one knows this going into Heinlein and acting as if its an offensive surprise isn't really productive (like reading Lovecraft and not expecting some degree of racism). Especially in what was one of his last novel length works. So this isn't going to rehash any of those points.
The first two thirds (first two sections) of the book are a sort of romping, fast-paced, pulpy space adventure mashed up with a Bond story and a detective thriller. Even if you haven't read enough Heinlein to recognize the significant amount of character and place references peppering this story, I think the archetypes that main characters fill is going to be recognizable. Men and women of action who can do just about anything. Its light, fast, and fun. But then it suffers from an even more extreme version of the same fault I find in Stranger In A Strange Land. The story shifts gears abruptly and hard into an altogether different sort of story for part 3. One which seemingly is trying to give some overall unifying shape not only to Heinlein's World As Myth cycle, but maybe his entire body of work. Its jarring. I think both stories would likely have been better served by being separate works, with appropriate fleshing out of both stories. To the degree that I'd give 4 stars to the Richard and Hazel story of the first two thirds if it was a stand alone space adventure, but final third focusing on the Time Corps, the extended Lazarus family, and multiple timelines really drags the overall score down.
Obviously, being Heinlein, there are going to be some things to offend, whether or not they were actual representations of his personal philosophy or not. The usual drastic misunderstandings of socialism, libertarianism, flirtations with militaristic fascism, a really weird flavour of misogyny, lots of free-love without basically any boundaries...but again, one knows this going into Heinlein and acting as if its an offensive surprise isn't really productive (like reading Lovecraft and not expecting some degree of racism). Especially in what was one of his last novel length works. So this isn't going to rehash any of those points.
The first two thirds (first two sections) of the book are a sort of romping, fast-paced, pulpy space adventure mashed up with a Bond story and a detective thriller. Even if you haven't read enough Heinlein to recognize the significant amount of character and place references peppering this story, I think the archetypes that main characters fill is going to be recognizable. Men and women of action who can do just about anything. Its light, fast, and fun. But then it suffers from an even more extreme version of the same fault I find in Stranger In A Strange Land. The story shifts gears abruptly and hard into an altogether different sort of story for part 3. One which seemingly is trying to give some overall unifying shape not only to Heinlein's World As Myth cycle, but maybe his entire body of work. Its jarring. I think both stories would likely have been better served by being separate works, with appropriate fleshing out of both stories. To the degree that I'd give 4 stars to the Richard and Hazel story of the first two thirds if it was a stand alone space adventure, but final third focusing on the Time Corps, the extended Lazarus family, and multiple timelines really drags the overall score down.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual content
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Incest