The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I had geared myself up to read a book by one of the masters, but I did not expect what I found. I did not expect to find an altered English for a future lunar colony. Nor did I expect to find polyamory, group marriages, and a culture without rape in a penal colony. I really, really, REALLY did not expect the main character of a novel published in 1966 to be a computer technician.
I related to Manuel immediately. It didn’t take Mike much longer to have me rooting for him.
The story took its time to build up. The leisurely pace, instead of boring me, gave me the time to get to know the main characters. I had the time to come to care for them, and their cause. The tension built slowly, and then exploded into action and ballsy diplomatic shenanigans. I have to admit that I was surprised by who joined Manuel’s group marriage. I had hoped she had interest in him, but had dismissed it early on. Well played, Mr. Heinlein.
There’s a reason that this book is a classic. If you’re into SciFi, my advice would be to read it. Take your time getting used to the language and the first person narrative. It’ll be worth it.
I picked this one up at a used bookstore in Caseville, MI. It’s old enough not to have an ISBN, but a SBN instead.
This has been one of my favorite Heinlein books since my dad let me read his copy when I was in high school. Every time I read it, I get sucked into the story all over again! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it. I have the uncut copy of “Stranger in a Strange Land” if you haven’t read that yet. Well I have a collection of several other Heinlein if ya wanna borrow those too.
I might just take you up on that. :)