Reviews

Farmer in the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein

cesarbustios's review against another edition

4.0

Leer a Heinlein siempre es entretenido y divertido. La novela fue publicada inicialmente en 1950 y no fue hasta el 2001 que recibió el premio Retro Hugo.

Los Lermer deciden escapar de una Tierra superpoblada a tal punto que la comida es racionada. Se alistan al proyecto Júpiter con la esperanza de convertirse en colonos de Ganímedes y tratar de empezar una nueva vida.

matthewbbone's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This book seemed like a compilation of prologues to plots that never really progressed. It hinted at some political themes, some family tensions, a potential romance, an encounter with alien artifacts, and more. However, the characters and plot were really just a loose scaffolding to explore what interplanetary life may look like. It's almost comedically dated in this regard with manual farm labor being the primary occupation for most planetary colonists. However, following along with the simple protagonists experience moving across space felt unusually realistic. It felt like historical fiction with a few futuristic twists.

manuphoto's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Heinlein’s older works are definitely better than his later stuff. 'Farmer in the Sky' is definitely oriented towards adolescent boys from 1950, but that doesn’t prevent it from being a good read and a smart novel on many levels.

First, Heinlein nails the emigrant experience. As someone who emigrated from his home country at 9 years old, I could really relate to Billy’s (the main character) experience when preparing to move to Ganymede (length of the trip notwithstanding). Having to choose what to leave behind and what to take with you, anticipating your future life in that strange new place, having to trust your father that it’s the right thing to do. All those elements rang true to me and made me connect with Billy.

Heinlein’s prose also helps. It’s very straightforward with bits of humor here and there, just to keep you on your toes. In that regard, it reminded me a lot of 'Double Star', where Heinlein used the same kind of pacing and humor sprinkling.

Just keep in mind that you’re reading a book from 1950. It’s fairly campy, and the female characters are either hysterical, bossy, or completely flat. At least there are no unnecessary physical descriptions of women; being targeted at a relatively young audience, I guess it wouldn’t have been proper. Once we actually get to Ganymede, the gender roles are very, very traditional. Men work and women cook. They also 'have their ups and downs', as if men don’t have those... ah, Heinlein… you were a conservative SOB, but I’m digressing.

The plot itself is fairly simple but enjoyable, and every step of it felt real, if that makes sense. At least in the first half of the novel. We follow Bill from Earth to Ganymede, including his voyage on a huge spaceship with 6,000 others. I could always easily picture myself in every scene and appreciate what Heinlein was trying to show me, either about the adventure itself or Bill’s character.

Once the farming begins, actually fairly late in the book, it becomes a bit dull at times and repetitive. I guess Heinlein wanted to show the hardship of pioneering, but there is some deus ex machina happening to solve problems, or very handy neighbors to save the day. It never really rang true, not like the first half of the novel.

Of course, things will go south, Bill & co will face the challenges of terraforming, etc. A decent effort for the 1950s, I have to say, although nowhere near the quality of something like the Mars trilogy. It’s also nowhere near as detailed as a Jules Verne story, even though those are much older. Heinlein went for simple and straightforward. I guess he succeeded in that respect.

Altogether, a decent but not stellar novel, fairly uneven in its quality and relevance, but an interesting read given its year of publication and its author’s influence.

gossamerwingedgazelle's review against another edition

3.0

This is my first of the Heinlein juveniles and probably my last. It was a good story with interesting science. However, I will be fine if I never read a story that is intended for someone that young ever again. Ever. My only criticism is that 58 years later the dire statements about how population never stops booming appear to be wrong. Clearly, there is some disagreement about that still. We'll see.

ailenach's review

adventurous hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

some things are definitely dated, but man. i actually loved the mathematical/scientific reasoning. actually a pretty fun thiught experiment on what it would be to actually colonize another planet(oid). yknow what, your roght, humanity stays the same. its all a big circle innit

kikuchiyo90's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

chambers_a_m's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

inpraiseoflucifer's review against another edition

adventurous medium-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? No

3.75

tamaru22's review against another edition

3.0

Acceptable. I wanted to read all the Sci-Fi Hugo Award Winning books. This was the winner from 1951. Short read, interesting. Definitely reflective of the time, but enjoyable nonetheless.

The ending kinda felt "thrown together" in a way.

ogreart's review against another edition

5.0

I've reread this one many times.

Reread December 1979.
Reread June 1979.
Reread March 1979.
Read July 1978.