A review by richardrbecker
The Door Into Summer by Robert A. Heinlein

adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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

4.5

The Door Into Summer by Robert A. Heinlein reads like two books in one. The first part is science fiction crime noir, telling the story of an engineer and inventor scammed by his business partner and fiancée. He loses his company — a domesticated cleaning robot company called Hired Girl, Inc. — and elects to take a "cold sleep" so he can start fresh 30 years into the future (along with his cat, Pete). 

As Dan tells his unfortunate story, he arranges for his remaining stocks in Hired Girl to be given to his business partner's stepdaughter as the only person he trusts. Eventually, Dan has a change of heart of sorts and attempts to seek justice. Unfortunately, justice is sometimes a fickle friend, especially when dealing with a con as sophisticated as his ex-fiancée. Dan's plans go sideways, and he is thrust into the future. 

Once there, things take a remarkable turn once he becomes acclimated to his new world. Dan discovers a way to go back in time, a plotline that changes the tone and feel of the book, and not always for the better. Still, Heinlien's 'everyman' protagonist is timeless and likable, even if he lacks much depth. But mostly, it's the story that holds everything together with its addictive pace and Heinlien's talent for peeling back the layers of a great story. At the same time, he tosses a little thought into the prospects of time travel, even going so far as to reconcile it with faith. Interesting stuff.