The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (1966)

Flat. That's precisely the word I would use to describe this book. It reads like one of those bad Soviet-era novels that exist solely to describe some political concept. I dislike books that are obviously technical manuals on how to build societies, they just don't make good fiction. It's a blow-by-blow account of a revolution, full of random details nobody cares to know. The characters I found pretty uninteresting. I honestly didn't care if their revolution would succeed or fail.

Another issue is the blatant sexism in this book. In the context of the society described in this book, it seems very odd to me that even though women have 'the choice' and a lot of power, they all seem to choose to stand next to 'their men' and keep quiet, or to stay in the kitchen and pop out babies. Even Wyoming is part of this revolution only because she thinks the Authority irradiated her ovaries and therefore she cannot have normal babies (and therefore be a good wife). ( )

9/2012 Fun to revisit this just as election season gets underway in the US. Makes me want to print up a TANSTAAFL! flag of my own. Brilliant with pockets of misogyny.


8/2011 The story is every bit as good as I remembered. I think that Heinlein had a huge impact when I was forming my own political opinions, and the Libertarian footprint of this book looms large in my philosophy. TANSTAAFL!

The worst part, as always, is the terribly sad ending. I'm braced for it, but it takes me apart every single time. Manny's bewilderment and sadness are so very real.

Bits come off as dated (how could RAH, of all people, fail to imagine a cordless phone?) but it's still one of the best.

The narrator was somewhat problematic for me. His accents were a little off, a little prone to slide from one character to the next, and he said 'TITAN' instead of 'TITIAN' hair.

5 stars for the story, 3 for the narration. ( )

I enjoyed this book about only a few people create revolution and change, and inspire their entire world to first defeat authority and then defeat earth. It was entertaining although parts of it rambled a little bit about all the technical details of revolution. I liked being taken to the very different world of the residents of the moon. An interesting read and one that seems not very far fetched according to the politics of today. ( )

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a political/sci-fi masterpiece. The book tells the story of Lunar (used to exile criminals and their families, once you adapt to life on the moon it was almost impossible to adjust back to the gravity of earth) and their struggle to become a free nation. Lunar while a place of criminals, political exiles or their descendants is like any other countries; yearning for liberty and to be free from the tyranny of their slaves. With the help of a supercomputer with a personality; Mycroft, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a well-paced, action charged, science fiction must-read. Without giving much away this book has a strong political message but done in such a way that the story and climax is never effected. ( )

Heinlein was overly optimistic as to the time frame for Luna settlement. Early in the 21st century was the first phase—alas, not to be. Anyway, reminiscent of Botany Bay, crims and revolutionaries of all sorts are dumped on the Moon. They adapt to an imbalance of women with group marriages and generally survive, but the Earth admin is oppressive, and exploitative. Also the colonists figure out that exporting Luna grown food to the Earth is exporting their limited supplies of organics and water, that will lead to a not too far off environmental crisis.

With his usual skill H creates a rich picture of this revolt, details, a little pathos, and suspense. We all know that the "good guys" will win, but we are never sure how, until the end.

Heinlein's political orientation shows through. It is not a popular revolt, but one designed and guided by semi-secret group of ringleaders led by a benevolent, self-aware supercomputer. Also H's usual gov is bad mantra shines through. His alter ego in the novel, the professor, desires little laws and gov, lots of personal freedom, and few rules. Lets add that his colonists are multi-cultural in the extreme. The Moons is a mixing ground of races, creeds, and colours. Interestingly, even the Russkies, for a Cold War era novel, are portrayed well.

Read this first when I was in HS. Re-read many times. Thought it was great the first time, still do. ( )