A review by manuphoto
Farmer in the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein

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.