The Science Fiction Novel - Robert Heinlein

Yesterday's rains have stopped but we're supposedly in for the coldest temperatures that we've experienced in our almost 20 years on the island. For the next week, it's supposed to drop down to -10ish over night and be in the low -'s during the day. OK, OK, I know it's nothing like the rest of the country gets in the winter, but I've grown soft in my years here. I DON'T LIKE COLD!!!

Robert Anson Heinlein

OK, enough of that. Now on to my continuing look at the Sci-Fi novel / author. My next author is one of the premier story-tellers. I do like an author who can spin a great tale; for fiction, my go-to guy is often Nevil Shute, for mysteries, Minette Walters or Margaret Millar, and for Sci-Fi, one of those story-tellers is Robert A. Heinlein.

I discovered Heinlein (as far as I recall) back in my university days. I believe we may have read Stranger in a Strange Land for my Science Fiction novel course. I recall it kind of blew me away. What a great story. Like in Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand where I still remember the tag line, Who is John Galt?, I still refer back to 'grok' from Stranger. It basically tells the story of a Martian who comes to earth and becomes a sort of godlike figure. The synopsis for the book is below.





"Stranger in a Strange Land, winner of the 1962 Hugo Award, is the story of Valentine Michael Smith, born during, and the only survivor of, the first manned mission to Mars. Michael is raised by Martians, and he arrives on Earth as a true innocent: he has never seen a woman and has no knowledge of Earth's cultures or religions. But he brings turmoil with him, as he is the legal heir to an enormous financial empire, not to mention de facto owner of the planet Mars. With the irascible popular author Jubal Harshaw to protect him, Michael explores human morality and the meanings of love. He founds his own church, preaching free love and disseminating the psychic talents taught him by the Martians. Ultimately, he confronts the fate reserved for all messiahs."

I will admit that I did try to read this once again many years later and I struggled with it. But it is worth reading to get a feel for Heinlein's writing style, view of Sci-Fi and his story-telling abilities.

Robert A. Heinlein was born in Missouri in 1907 and died in California in 1988. He was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction and was one of the pioneers of hard science fiction. He was one of the best-selling writers of Sci-Fi for decades and along with Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke, was one of the 'big three' of English-language science fiction writers.

Heinlein used his writing to explore ideas such as sexuality, religion, politics and race and how scientific progress might shape these concepts. He explored the importance of individual liberty, the nature of sexual relationships, the influence of organized religion on culture, etc. 

Over the course of his life, he wrote 32 novels, 59 short stories and 16 collections. Movies and TV series have been made based on his novels; Starship Troopers, The Puppet Masters, etc. I have read a number of his books. During my university and the period afterwards, I regularly hunted down his books. My interest faded away somewhat in the period after that but with a renewed interest in the Sci-Fi genre these last 15 or so years, I've rediscovered his writing, especially his earlier works. Below are some of the books I've enjoyed by Heinlein.

a. The Door Into Summer (1957).










"Robert A. Heinlein is one of my favourite science fiction story-tellers. The Door into Summer is one of his early efforts (1957) and was an excellent example of his story telling abilities.

It has some of his best traits, strong characters, well-developed story line, some interesting Science fiction technology (although that is rarely the focus of his stories), and a highly satisfactory ending.

Daniel Boone Davis is an engineer in 1970 who has formed a partnership with his friend Miles and his fiancé Belle to manufacture home convenience machines; a mobile cleaning robot and other devices. His partners betray him and have him put into a long sleep (a form of cold suspended animation) to get rid of him. Davis awakens 30 years later, looking for revenge.

There you have the story at its simplest. It moves along nicely, develops Davis' strength of character and his ingenuity, portrays a future from his perspective of the 1950's, that is our present and throws in neat concepts like time travel and a cool mystery. It's a readable, enjoyable story, a great example of Heinlein's abilities. (4 stars)"

b. Sixth Column (1949).

"Sixth Column by Robert A. Heinlein was the second book he wrote and the first published, in serial form in 1941. Heinlein is one of the best story tellers and this is evident in this early work. You can tell it was written in 1941, with definite war references. The story is a combination of Red Dawn and maybe The Man in the High Castle, in that US has been taken over by Panasians and the whole country is under martial law.

The Sixth Column is a small group of American military and scientists who work within this construct to try and defeat the occupying force. This involves amazing scientific technology and lots of sleight of hand. The sixth column take on the role of a new religion that will move into major cities, disrupt the rulers, encourage the downtrodden American citizenship and ultimately try to take back the US for its government and citizens.

It's all very entertaining and a very quick easy read. Great propaganda for the power of American ingenuity and desire to fight for freedom. Definitely not his best story but you can see the start of his style and themes. (3 stars)"

c.  Starship Troopers (1959). I've read this 3 or 4 times and always enjoy it. The movie based on the book was entertaining but not half as good as the book. Earth vs The Bugs, great outer space battles and space technology.


"Starship Troopers is a classic novel by one of science fiction's greatest writers of all time and is now a Tri-Star movie. In one of Heinlein's most controversial bestsellers, a recruit of the future goes through the toughest boot camp in the universe -- and into battle with the Terran Mobile Infantry against mankind's most frightening enemy."

d. The Puppet Masters (1951). One of my favorite Heinlein stories, another I've read 3 or 4 times. Invaders from outer space taking control of humanity's soul; a la Invasion of the Body Snatchers. There was a movie made based on this book and it was, once again, entertaining, but not great.










"Earth was being invaded - and nobody knew it!

Aliens were landing at key points throughout North America and taking over communications, government, and industry. The top secret security agencies - those that had figured out what was really going on - tried to stop the invasion but failed. The aliens were controlling the mind of every person they encountered - and they were multiplying far faster than they could be destroyed.

It was up to Sam Cavanaugh, secret agent for the most powerful and deadly spy network in the U.S., to find a way to stop the invaders. And the only way to do it was to be invaded himself!"

e. Friday (1982). If you like a story with strong female characters, then you'll love genetically-enhanced secret agent Friday trying to survive in a dystopic future. Another I've read a few times.

"This was a reread for me. Since I first bought this book, I've read 2 0r 3 times previously. Friday is an enhanced person, works as a courier for the Boss in the distant future, where man has begun inhabiting planets in the 'vicinity' of Earth and Earth itself is under attack by groups unknown. 

Heinlein is an excellent weaver of stories, the characters are likable and interesting, the story moves along, but is often very thoughtful. Sex is discussed as a healthy, positive thing. I have often been impressed by Heinlein's ideas; in my earlier read of Stranger in a Strange Land, I found myself underlining various portions; God is You, etc. 

In this story, Friday and the Boss discuss how to identify a sick society; when individuals begin to believe more in their groupings than in their nation, and when people begin to stop showing respect for each other. Just an entertaining read and reread. (4 stars)"

I have read and enjoyed others, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress an Job come to mind. I do hope to further explore his writings. If you want to check out Heinlein's complete catalogue, check this link.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Stay warm and safe.