Reviews

The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein

cover's review against another edition

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1.75

Read more like a log or meeting notes than a novel, but was an interesting take on AI. Surprisingly good predictions too (AI wise. The rest was insane and weird) 

vortimer's review

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2.0

I don't care for Heinlein's politics - this seems almost a Libertarian manifesto, his attitude to women is problematic, and his writing style rather old fashioned.

kdsterling's review

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

3.25


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somesnarksareboojums's review against another edition

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adventurous sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

bool_'s review

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

4.5

teokajlibroj's review

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3.0

The book opens well and has some good ideas but unfortunately fails to live up to the potential. For a start Heinlein essentially cheats by giving the revolutionaries an all-knowing computer that solves all their problems and removes the need for tough decisions. Everything goes exactly to plan which removes all tension from the story.

I had high hopes for the world building but ended up disappointed. How people survive in a lawless society is an intriguing idea but Heinlein almost completely ignores it. It's only halfway through the book that we are even told there are no laws and the solution doesn't make any sense (why would people pay for a judgement?). Bar that one scene, there's next to no social commentary. Even once the rebellion happens, it's unclear what the rebels replace it with or how the new society functions.

The line marriages also could be an interesting concept but they're not fully explored. Despite saying otherwise, Mannie doesn't seem to care about his family and completely ignores his children. There is also a weird incestuous and underage sex vibe in the marriage, it's treated as normal for children to be married as soon as they reach puberty.

There's also the rampant sexism. Heinlein probably considered himself progressive and perhaps for the times he was, but the depiction of women has not aged well. The only characteristic the women in the book have is their beauty. Every time Wyoh enters a room, the man stop to stare at her, cat-call, wolf-whistle and this is all treated like a compliment. For some reason people think she's a strong female character, but the Prof makes it clear that the only thing she brings to the revolution is her beauty. In fact she does nothing else during the revolution or government, except look pretty and have the men explain things to her. At one point the narrator notes favourably that during a meeting she kept her pretty mouth shut (his words not mine).

The ending seemed like a cop-out and the author didn't know how to end the book.

jesshaleth's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

If he'd managed to rein in the pedophilia a little then it would have just been annoyingly smug rather than leaving a gross taste in my mouth a week later.

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readatron3000's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative tense slow-paced

3.5

lfsalden's review

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5.0

Spec. Tacular!

akthiebes's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring tense 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? No

4.25