Customer Reviews

The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

5 star:		(130)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This novel is a study of the politics and mechanics of a planet's struggle for independence, packaged as compelling science fiction. It takes part in the 2070s when the collection of human settlements on the moon want independence from the oppressive international "Federated Nations" of Earth. Without spoiling anything, the first part of the book takes place on the moon ("Luna") with help from the lunar super-computer who has secretly achieved consciousness, the second part is human negotiations on Earth ("Terra"), and the last part is back on the moon for the final struggle, again teamed up with the artificially intelligent "Mike".

Although heavy on political science at times, this landmark sci-fi story is nonetheless a wonderful blend of subjects such as the novelties and challenges of off-planet human settlement, long-term sustainability, independence, revolution, leadership and organizational theory, politics (especially libertarianism and anarchism), international (and interplanetary) affairs and trade, military strategy, cultural identity, community, polygamy, physics, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, and media/mass communication.

The character development is excellent between Manuel (technical expert), Prof (political expert), and Mike, the computer with brains, personality, and independent thought.

Even though the lunar revolution is *against* the reader's familiar Earth, you easily side with the rebellion and the Lunies' fascinating culture and difficult lifestyle that's on the line.

Enjoy the ride!

This is Heinlein at his iconoclastic best, perhaps overshadowed only by Stranger in a Strange Land. This is one of my all time SF favorites.

I was very excited to read the book. The basic jist is that the moon has become a giant prison with no way out. After living on the moon for a certian amount of time your body changes and you cannot return to earth. So any prison sentance, becomes a life sentance. As the population grows and time goes by, most of the moon is inhabited by free men and women. Their resources are limited and controled by earth. A fight for indepence and equal opportunity begins. I enjoyed this book, but it was a little too political for me. If you are into politics and sci fi I think it would be right up your ally. Still a good read.

A for "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" by Robert Heinlein

Despite the writing style that is incredibly difficult to get used to, this is one of the best sf novels I've read in recent memory. Thought-provoking and exciting, so if you are a science fiction fan you should definitely read this novel. The characters are well-done, if not especially three-dimensional, the plot is good, but the philosophy, world building, and the issues behind the novel are what make it really shine.

To say that The Moon is a Harsh Mistress was prophetic would be quite the understatement, but it's not just Heinlein's brilliant depiction of a near-future Earth and Moon that shines so brightly but his sensitively-structured portrayal of the characters, from rebels to machine intelligences. The political structure is both a revealing and entertaining parallel to the colonial system during the American revolution and makes for a fascinating glimpse into the future. Race relations, sexual relations and economic systems are all interwoven into a rich human narrative that speaks to every one of our emotions and ideals, and the story never flags, alternating between tranquil moments of negotiations and scheming to brutal military engagements and desperate fights, leaving you breathless (and with perhaps a tear in your eye) until the last moments. A beacon of a novel for sci-fi writers, and deservedly so.

The science is dated. It doesn't matter. The plot is straightforward without a lot of unexpected twists. It doesn't matter. People talk funny. It doesn't matter. What matters is that this book is a compelling study of applied political science that uses the unforgiving locale of the moon and its limited resources, suffering under gross mismanagement, to explore the anatomy of revolution.

Heinlein peaked with this novel. "Stranger" and all subsequent work got more twisted, more cranky, more obsessive, and ultimately more senile. This one presents many of Heinlein's later ideas in lean and supple forms, without the flab and flapdoodle that made Lazarus seem so Long.

Although originally written in the 60's, this book was still interesting to read even in 2004. Obviously, some of the technology seems a little out dated - but the book is mostly about politics, and politics never really change.

I am not much of a science fiction reader or film watcher but when my friend bought THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS for my birthday, it instantly became one of my favorite books. Not one of my favorite science fiction books, one of my favorite books period. And what makes it such is its sturdy character development and plot development. All the characters are believeable and likeable. This includes Mike the computer. His desire to understand humor and humans must have been revolutionary for the time the book was written.

I have heard of Heinlein's political leanings and how they affected his writing. However, I did not sense that the novel was a veiled attempt at spewing a manifesto. The story is simply about humans wanting to be treated as such, and having to fight for that treatment. Mike's suggestion to "throw rocks" at the oppressors was absolutely brilliant. It made me think of the Biblical line: "Let he who is without sin throw the first stone". Maybe there's a link, maybe not. I'm sure there are dozens of master's theses out there on this subject. In any event, this is a brilliant work of fiction of any kind! Read it!

With over 35 years of SF culture between us and this novel, it is difficult to see it for the ground breaking work that it is. Through books and film we've since been exploring new worlds, galaxies and even dimensions for almost 4 decades. Thus a very human story of revolution on our little neighbor may not be that thrilling to the seasoned reader.

Although the story takes place in 2076 the idealism and cynicism of the 1960s is ever present in the background. And even though we're now a third of the way closer to that date than when the novel was written I am amazed at how well the science in this fiction has held up.

The story presents a logical and somewhat predictable pathway for "the liberation of the moon" yet I was in suspense as to the success or failure of the venture until the final pages. Heinlein held my attention throughout and weeks later I have to admit I still miss Mike.

Like the title says. Heinlein wrote at least 40 books in his career, not to mention a slew of short stories. I have read more than half of his works, so I know a thing or two about Robert A. Heinlein. This book, along with Stranger in a Strange Land, Red Planet, and the short story "We Also Walk Dogs" are, in my opinion, his best works. Moon is a great tale with good, likeable, characters, an engaging story full of twists. Unlike many books, the plot twists feel good. By this I mean that after you have been thrown for a loop, you come back and say "Yes, that makes sense now that I look at it" and that is always a good thing. Even if you do not like all of Heinlein's work, you have to respect his vision, his feel for the future and for what may happen. He was one of the fathers of modern sci-fi, and that is no accident. Check this book out.