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bookcaseclosed's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.5
Such a great story!! Heinlein took a lot from humans experience with discoveries over the last couple of centuries and put them into an existential science fiction story. Our limited understanding of the universe and how it changed over time plays a big role in the centre of the plot and the characters show incredible capabilities of humbleness. Somehow it managed to be very emotional in the end? And that I really didn't expect...
jewelsjoy's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second book I've read by Heinlein, the other being Starship Troopers. I like how he explores the consequences future technology could have on they way society behaves. I've been fascinated with the concept of generation ships lately, and this book was a good exploration of the idea. That being said, a big downside to this story is his treatment of women in it. They are relegated to a status barely better than a pet or slave. Some could say that it is just an exploration of how society could develop, or an extension of the time he was writing in, but I can't excuse his total disregard of the native intelligence and worth of women in the story.
misanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Classic era story. Satisfying story. Acceptable ending.
curtisb's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kevin_shepherd's review against another edition
4.0
After decades of trans-generational/trans-galactic migration, the command structure of the starship ‘Vanguard’ has seriously devolved. With the original crew long since dead and gone, their descendants have slowly usurped science and reason, filling the widening gaps in their knowledge base with dogmatic claptrap. In this Heinlein universe the priests are now the “scientists” and subjects like math and astrophysics are heretical and blasphemous.
This is vintage Heinlein (1941). I hesitate to call it a ‘hidden gem’ because just about everything R.A.H. wrote is gem caliber and often slightly obscure; ‘under appreciated classic’ seems more applicable.
This is vintage Heinlein (1941). I hesitate to call it a ‘hidden gem’ because just about everything R.A.H. wrote is gem caliber and often slightly obscure; ‘under appreciated classic’ seems more applicable.
erincataldi's review against another edition
3.0
I was due for a sci-fi classic and this slim little novel sure did the trick.
Set far into the future, Hugh Hoyland starts exploring "the ship" a 5 mile long (2,000 feet across) steel expanse that is the only known world to its inhabitants. The people on board the ship have no concept of anything outside the ship, the idea that anything could exist beyond its steel walls is inconcevable. The lower decks are inhabited by the citizens and the largely unexplored upper decks are inhabited by the "muties," deformed creatures that attack anyone who ventures up.
One day while exploring, Hugh ventures too far up and is captured by a dwarf (Bobo) and a 2 headed man (Joe-Jim). His captors are intrigued by him and decide to "educate him" and take him on as his slave. Hugh doesn't mind and soon discovers a forgotten room on the upper decks. With the help of Joe-Jim, Hugh begins to understand that the universe is bigger than the ship and for the first time he sees the stars. The question is, what is he going to do about it, can he make the ship move again?
I thought that this book was quite original and the concept was very intriguing. Hugh's world is literally turned around when he realizes that everything he was taught and believed is false. It's a fast read and has an interesting conclusion. Disclaimer, it's quite sexist (the women are subjected as slave wives, and cannot speak up. they are often beaten and not one of the main characters is female) but if you read past it (hey, it was the sixties) you'll be sure to enjoy iy.
Set far into the future, Hugh Hoyland starts exploring "the ship" a 5 mile long (2,000 feet across) steel expanse that is the only known world to its inhabitants. The people on board the ship have no concept of anything outside the ship, the idea that anything could exist beyond its steel walls is inconcevable. The lower decks are inhabited by the citizens and the largely unexplored upper decks are inhabited by the "muties," deformed creatures that attack anyone who ventures up.
One day while exploring, Hugh ventures too far up and is captured by a dwarf (Bobo) and a 2 headed man (Joe-Jim). His captors are intrigued by him and decide to "educate him" and take him on as his slave. Hugh doesn't mind and soon discovers a forgotten room on the upper decks. With the help of Joe-Jim, Hugh begins to understand that the universe is bigger than the ship and for the first time he sees the stars. The question is, what is he going to do about it, can he make the ship move again?
I thought that this book was quite original and the concept was very intriguing. Hugh's world is literally turned around when he realizes that everything he was taught and believed is false. It's a fast read and has an interesting conclusion. Disclaimer, it's quite sexist (the women are subjected as slave wives, and cannot speak up. they are often beaten and not one of the main characters is female) but if you read past it (hey, it was the sixties) you'll be sure to enjoy iy.