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charlottehe's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One thing I loved about this book is that it never got dull, it had strong momentum throughout. There is so much going on, and Heinlein was amazing at building this world of the lunar outcast colony, its culture and history. At first it felt incredibly bizarre, but you get used to it by chapter 2. I’m glad I decided to pick this up. The only thing keeping this from being perfect for me is there were points where I felt the action lost me on the message being conveyed. Otherwise, I love the speculative take on politics across space. Heinlein's imagination and thorough grasp of historical and contemporary politics and the way governments operate is brilliant.
adammuly's review against another edition
3.0
Concept: A+
Execution: B-
Heinlein does a great job of making the story believable, but his writing is hard to get through. The whole book is written in choppy, often improper English. If you can get past that though, there are some good characters, particularly Mike, a kind and naive yet unimaginably intelligent computer.
Execution: B-
Heinlein does a great job of making the story believable, but his writing is hard to get through. The whole book is written in choppy, often improper English. If you can get past that though, there are some good characters, particularly Mike, a kind and naive yet unimaginably intelligent computer.
bacter's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
knicassio's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
fast-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
2.0
chrisjestes's review against another edition
4.0
The 2nd part is rather slow and drawn out, but it was otherwise stylistic and visionary. I particularly enjoyed the detailed political and economic strategies that were employed by the characters and the descriptions of how fantastically advanced "Mike" had become.
I said visionary earlier because I truly believe Heinlein describes things in this book that came to be, i.e. the video call, and others that we will see but have yet to at the time of this review.
That being said, I do see where Heinlein can be criticized as sexist. The female characters were rather flat and repeatedly appreciated for only distinctly "feminine" qualities. For his vision of the future to be so marvelous in many other ways, it's a pity that the same creativity and forward thinking we're not applied to seeing men and women as two sides of the same coin.
I said visionary earlier because I truly believe Heinlein describes things in this book that came to be, i.e. the video call, and others that we will see but have yet to at the time of this review.
That being said, I do see where Heinlein can be criticized as sexist. The female characters were rather flat and repeatedly appreciated for only distinctly "feminine" qualities. For his vision of the future to be so marvelous in many other ways, it's a pity that the same creativity and forward thinking we're not applied to seeing men and women as two sides of the same coin.
samaji's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.5
Despite libertarian arguments, thoroughly enjoyable, some will find russian grammar confusing.
colleengeedrumm's review against another edition
3.0
A man can face known danger. But the unknown frightens him.
Mannie, that's a most self-centered evaluation.
I'm a most self-centered person.
Tries to live perfectly in an imperfect world.
Nothing uses up alcohol faster than political argument.
Easier to get people to hate than to get them to love.
Having first baby a girl is lucky. Every family needs a girl baby.
Kids will do anything mysterious and fun; look how many of their games are based on out-smarting.
History is watching you.
The future is waiting. Mark well what you do.
Ladies from Hades
If possible, leave room for your enemy to become your friend.
Yassuh, Massuh
When faced with a problem you do not understand, do any part of it you do understand, then look at it again.
Mannie, that's a most self-centered evaluation.
I'm a most self-centered person.
Tries to live perfectly in an imperfect world.
Nothing uses up alcohol faster than political argument.
Easier to get people to hate than to get them to love.
Having first baby a girl is lucky. Every family needs a girl baby.
Kids will do anything mysterious and fun; look how many of their games are based on out-smarting.
History is watching you.
The future is waiting. Mark well what you do.
Ladies from Hades
If possible, leave room for your enemy to become your friend.
Yassuh, Massuh
When faced with a problem you do not understand, do any part of it you do understand, then look at it again.
realmankirk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0