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zmull's review against another edition
4.0
Tunnel is the Sky is one of Heinlein's juveniles, which means its a fun adventure story before anything else. The plot involves a group of kids stranded on an alien world forced to restart civilization without the supervision of adults. William Golding's Lord of the Flies was published the year before Tunnel in the Sky and Tunnel is clearly Heinlein's response to it. Golding thought deep down people were basically shit. Heinlein thought humanity's default was much more honorable. The main problem with the novel, and it is a big one, is that Heinlein's misogyny cast a shadow over everything here. His treatment of women in the novel is frustrating at best. I'd avoid passing along Tunnel in the Sky to teens or pre-teens without first discussing the gender dynamics it presents. That said, the book is a lot of fun and I look forward to reading the other's Heinleins of the era that I haven't gotten to yet.
jgale266's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
zare_i's review against another edition
4.0
Rod Walker is one of the many students that wants to see and explore outlands - wild and untamed planets not yet colonized by Terran Federation. But in order to achieve his goal [and become officially certified explorer] he must take and pass survival test, test taking place in unknown surroundings crawling with unexpected dangers.[return][return]All starts fine (well, let us say there are gradations of fine, ok :)) but soon all test takers find themselves cut off from civilization and forced to group themselves in order to survive.[return][return]Like all Heinlein's books this one also explores human nature and society, what works and what does not work, role of true leadership etc (readers may not agree with every point author makes but again that is not the goal - goal is to make readers think about "what-if" scenarios). Test-takers are not your average kids, they know a lot and they are ready to use that knowledge to survive but is that all that is required to survive in the unknown surroundings?[return][return]Very interesting book. [return][return]Recommended.
papidoc's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting science fiction take on a survival story, in which young people stranded in space on a planet have to make their way, building their own civilization, defending themselves, figuring out economics, manufacturing, agriculture, and social mores, as well as how to perpetuate themselves. Not bad, but of course quite dated in both style and substance.
breenmachine's review against another edition
1.0
Golly gee, the language in this was annoying. All the oldfangled words and sayings got me after a while. The beginning made me think the story had real potential! But then... they descended into small town politics and I was very bored the rest of the book.
amberoxide's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75