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angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn’t aware of it upon starting this novel, but perhaps this is where Q-Anon got some of their conspiracy theories about politics. Have you heard the one about James Woods in face paint and costume filling in for a Joe Biden who was executed in Guantanamo Bay in 2019? Well, this book follows that premise to some degree. Interesting and a very good read.
pine_wulf's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this more than the others I have read of Heinlein. I've heard that this isn't political at all like some of his later work, but you still see some of his politics here. It's just not stronger than being generally anti-regulation.
There is some action scenes early on in the story, so I was surprised that they practically disappeared by the half-way mark. Most of the tension is on whether the actor is found out. The book is generally really fun and I think the ending was very good.
There is some action scenes early on in the story, so I was surprised that they practically disappeared by the half-way mark. Most of the tension is on whether the actor is found out. The book is generally really fun and I think the ending was very good.
dina_s's review
4.25
I get now why Heinlein is a name that comes up a lot in the genre. Very interesting read. Bit outdated in some places but holds up well in my opinion.
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
Written in 1956, Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein went on to win that years Hugo Award. This was the third Hugo given out and went a long way in establishing what makes a Hugo winner. Like the movies of its time, this novel depends on the skill of the author rather than flashy special effects. There is very little “science” in this science fiction, yes there are rocket ships and trips to the moon and to Mars, and yes there are “Martians,” but these are just window dressing, at its heart this is a political thriller, in much the same way as The Manchurian Candidate.
Although at 127 pages, this novel barely qualifies as a “Novel,” (I have read novellas that were longer.) Mr. Heinlein was able to pack quite a bit of plot into this small package. As withCaves of Steel, my previous experience with this decade’s novels this novel has held up well to the test of time, baring the scene where a political advisor uses a slide rule to determine the outcome of an election.
Which brings me to a “sticky wicket.” I have basically, if not ignored than at least marginalized this decades novels in the past, privately viewing the decade as full of pulp, good for a quick read but in general not much to write home to. And for some novels this is the case, but in general I have enjoyed getting to know the “Grandfathers” of science fiction better.
4 of 5 stars
PS This is the 100th book I have read this year.
Although at 127 pages, this novel barely qualifies as a “Novel,” (I have read novellas that were longer.) Mr. Heinlein was able to pack quite a bit of plot into this small package. As withCaves of Steel, my previous experience with this decade’s novels this novel has held up well to the test of time, baring the scene where a political advisor uses a slide rule to determine the outcome of an election.
Which brings me to a “sticky wicket.” I have basically, if not ignored than at least marginalized this decades novels in the past, privately viewing the decade as full of pulp, good for a quick read but in general not much to write home to. And for some novels this is the case, but in general I have enjoyed getting to know the “Grandfathers” of science fiction better.
4 of 5 stars
PS This is the 100th book I have read this year.
the_mitch's review against another edition
2.0
Prince and the pauper retold in space
Just a simple retelling of a simple story. Skip it. Charging for this as if it was a novel instead of an overly long short story is silly.
Just a simple retelling of a simple story. Skip it. Charging for this as if it was a novel instead of an overly long short story is silly.
ashwin610's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
kittykhan's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
kikuchiyo90's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75
grayjay's review
3.0
Heinlein's first Hugo award winning novel is about an actor hired to play an important polititian when that man is kidnapped. While nominally science fiction, the setting is fairly minor—the is could have been a contemporary political novel. The mains ideas Heinlein seemed to be driving were how political ideologies can shift as people gain real experience with the relevant issues, as well as the role of the politician in guiding a political movement.
It was entertaining and only had a few sexist moments that gave away it's having been written in 1950s. In fact, it was quite a bit easier to stomach than Stranger in a Strange Land which was published five years later and actually was more about sex and gender dynamics.
It was entertaining and only had a few sexist moments that gave away it's having been written in 1950s. In fact, it was quite a bit easier to stomach than Stranger in a Strange Land which was published five years later and actually was more about sex and gender dynamics.
andrew_j_r's review against another edition
4.0
It's a crap reason for buying a book, but I bought this simply because I wanted something short to read for a couple of hours in the cinema foyer before a movie, and I had forgotten the book I was in the middle of!
It's an interesting story - the first half seems a little unreal - it's the formation of the deception that the tale is about. But as it goes on, you are horribly aware that one of two things is going to happen - either the person our lead character is impersonating (whilst he is temporarily incapacitated) is going to die or someone is going to work out the truth.
I won't spoil the book by saying which, but the end does leave you feeling for our hero. I started the book as a cynic - the style and content was not promising, but by the end it won me over. Which is in interesting parallel with the story being told.
It's an interesting story - the first half seems a little unreal - it's the formation of the deception that the tale is about. But as it goes on, you are horribly aware that one of two things is going to happen - either the person our lead character is impersonating (whilst he is temporarily incapacitated) is going to die or someone is going to work out the truth.
I won't spoil the book by saying which, but the end does leave you feeling for our hero. I started the book as a cynic - the style and content was not promising, but by the end it won me over. Which is in interesting parallel with the story being told.