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Rating: Adder: "What's better than a book with a good novel?"
Sconosciut_: "Simple! A book with two great novels."
Adder: "And better than two great novels in a book?"
Sconosciut_: "Elementary! A book with three great novels!".
Adder: "...".
Heinlein (1907-1988) before becoming a writer, served as a naval officer, but due to pulmonary tuberculosis, he was forced to resign. If it hadn't been for that disease, we probably would have lost one of the best, prodigious, and prolific science fiction storytellers. His first novel "For Us, The Living" written in '38-'39, was published posthumously in '04. He won the prestigious Hugo Award with: "Double Star", "Starship Troopers", "Stranger in a Strange Land", and "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress." Many are the masterpieces he created throughout his life... "Podkayne of Mars" (Podkayne of Mars - '63, 133 pages). It's a typical 'juvenile' novel, particularly recommended for young readers, thanks to its smooth writing. Most importantly, it stands out as one of the first stories where a genuine female protagonist is introduced in fantastic literature, namely Podkayne Fries, Poddy to her friends. It narrates the vicissitudes of a family departing from the Moon to Mars. It will be a journey fraught with difficulties, dangers, twists, monsters, flat cats, and... Book rating: 3.5.
"Starship Troopers" (Starship Troopers - '59, 203 pages). Although this is a more intricate story, it was actually written as 'juvenile', since the narrative voice is that of a young man. Johnnie Rico, the protagonist, at the age of 18 volunteers as a space infantryman in the Federal Service of the Terran Federation to fight against aliens (skinnies and bugs), at war with Earth. Besides going against his father's opinion with his decision, he will have to undergo an exhausting physical and psychological training. In his 'military career', he will rise from private to corporal, eventually becoming a starship commander. Regarding the more technical science fiction themes, there is the hypothetical Cerenkov propulsion and the 'powered suit'. The Cerenkov propulsion allows spaceships to travel faster than the speed of light. Ships are piloted by women, as they are more skilled at calculating the variables needed for space travel. The 'powered suit' is a huge exoskeleton used as a space suit, capable of amplifying the wearer's movements. Various sensors provide options like taking large leaps and flying short distances, and it can be equipped with atomic weapons and work in the dark. The novel contains many aspects of the writer's personality and opinions. It is no coincidence that Heinlein wanted to express specific philosophical and political ideas, which over the years have sparked contrasting discussions about the significance and intrinsic value of the work. For instance, Mr. Dubois, Rico's high school history and moral philosophy teacher, could be interpreted as a sort of alter ego of the artist. Undoubtedly, it is one of his most celebrated, engaging, and stimulating novels. It is no accident that various concepts and characters in the work will be reprised in FS and other contexts. Zim, for instance, can be considered the archetype of many drill sergeants present in numerous films. Last but not least, let's not forget the historical track by Yes and the excellent film by Verhoeven. Book rating: 5.
"The Door into Summer" (The Door into Summer - '57, 114 pages). It's a pyrotechnic and irresistible adventure set between 1970 and 2000. The engaging and intriguing writing is characterized by an elegant and subtle vein of sarcasm. It is one of the most enjoyable, exciting, and moving readings created by Heinlein. The protagonists are D. B. Davis and the mischievous cat Petronius Arbiter, the focal point of the story's most comical situations. Davis is a brilliant inventor of robots (The Perfect Domestic), with all related appliances. Due to his secretary, Davis will be ousted from the company he founded. To take revenge on those who betrayed him, he decides to be cryogenically frozen (suspended animation or cryogenics) for thirty years. In reality, it won't be that simple, as he will have to solve the complications that occurred during the long artificial sleep. The title, paraphrasing the author, refers to the positive intentions of continuing to open doors, hoping that sooner or later one of these will open onto Summer, moving life away from the freezing Winter. The cover artwork is by the timeless graphic designer K. Thole and is inspired by the aforementioned novel. Book rating: 4.5.
Cryogenic regards ©.
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