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In a distant galaxy of colonized planets, the atrocity of slavery is alive and well. Young Thorby was just another bedraggled orphan boy sold at auction, but his new owner, Baslim, is not the disabled beggar he appears to be. Adopting Thorby as his son, Baslim fights relentlessly as an abolitionist spy. When the authorities close in on Baslim, Thorby must find his own way in a hostile galaxy. Joining with the Free Traders, a league of merchant princes, Thorby must find the courage to live by show more his wits and fight his way up from society's lowest rung. But Thorby's destiny will be forever changed when he discovers the truth about his own identity.Citizen of the Galaxy is a suspenseful tale of adventure, coming of age, and interstellar conflict by science fiction's Grand Master.
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Gregorio_Roth Citizen of the Galaxy was recommended under the book KIM so it should be also with this...
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Gregorio_Roth Citizen of the Galaxy was influenced by LORD JIM by Joseph Conrad
Member Reviews
This is one of the books that's characterized as one of Heinlein's 'Juveniles' - intended for a younger audience. Maybe he intended that, I don't know, but it seems more of a publisher's or marketer's or seller's characterization than an apt description of the book.
The book follows Thorby, a boy slave who is bought by a man who turns out to be a spy. His new master gives him more and more freedom while educating him. Eventually, thorny is fully emancipated and ends up on a galaxy-wide quest to fulfill the man's last wishes, which turn out to be more about Thorby than the man himself.
The book takes on the issue of slavery, through an anthropological exegesis of the different intergalactic cultures Thorby is exposed to. There is never a show more moment that the writing seems targeted at a particular age group or reading comprehension. The writing is rich and provocative; the difficult concepts of identity and worth are addressed without pulling any punches.
Heinlein is a chameleon, dropping his science fiction into other genres seamlessly.
5 bones!!!!!
Highly Recommended! show less
The book follows Thorby, a boy slave who is bought by a man who turns out to be a spy. His new master gives him more and more freedom while educating him. Eventually, thorny is fully emancipated and ends up on a galaxy-wide quest to fulfill the man's last wishes, which turn out to be more about Thorby than the man himself.
The book takes on the issue of slavery, through an anthropological exegesis of the different intergalactic cultures Thorby is exposed to. There is never a show more moment that the writing seems targeted at a particular age group or reading comprehension. The writing is rich and provocative; the difficult concepts of identity and worth are addressed without pulling any punches.
Heinlein is a chameleon, dropping his science fiction into other genres seamlessly.
5 bones!!!!!
Highly Recommended! show less
Thorby, an orphaned slave on the planet Jubbul, is purchased by a crippled beggar, Baslim. Baslim secretly acts as an abolitionist spy, educating Thorby and sending him on vital intelligence missions before his eventual death sets the young protagonist on an interstellar journey.
Thorby begins as a mistreated slave until Baslim the Cripple buys him for a trivial sum. Baslim becomes a loving foster father, secretly teaching him mathematics, history, and foreign languages while training him to beg.
He later discovers Baslim is actually Colonel Richard Baslim, a spy fighting the intergalactic slave trade. Following Baslim's arrest and suicide, Thorby escapes on a starship using contingency instructions. He is adopted into a nomadic, show more tight-knit merchant culture called the Free Traders. Living aboard their vessel, Thorby learns about loyalty, corporate law, and the harsh realities of spacefaring commerce.
After military intervention separates him from the Free Traders, he eventually reaches Earth. With the help of the Hegemonic Guard, Thorby uncovers his true origins: he is revealed to be Jordan Rudbek, a wealthy heir to a sprawling corporate fortune.
Upon discovering that a portion of his inherited family wealth is indirectly tied to the very same interstellar slave rings that victimized him as a child, Thorby commits his life and resources to fighting intergalactic slavery, embracing his ultimate duty as a responsible citizen of the galaxy. show less
Thorby begins as a mistreated slave until Baslim the Cripple buys him for a trivial sum. Baslim becomes a loving foster father, secretly teaching him mathematics, history, and foreign languages while training him to beg.
He later discovers Baslim is actually Colonel Richard Baslim, a spy fighting the intergalactic slave trade. Following Baslim's arrest and suicide, Thorby escapes on a starship using contingency instructions. He is adopted into a nomadic, show more tight-knit merchant culture called the Free Traders. Living aboard their vessel, Thorby learns about loyalty, corporate law, and the harsh realities of spacefaring commerce.
After military intervention separates him from the Free Traders, he eventually reaches Earth. With the help of the Hegemonic Guard, Thorby uncovers his true origins: he is revealed to be Jordan Rudbek, a wealthy heir to a sprawling corporate fortune.
Upon discovering that a portion of his inherited family wealth is indirectly tied to the very same interstellar slave rings that victimized him as a child, Thorby commits his life and resources to fighting intergalactic slavery, embracing his ultimate duty as a responsible citizen of the galaxy. show less
Robert A. Heinlein's Citizen of the Galaxy is a great find for those who love classic science fiction with an enduring message. Published in 1957, Heinlein was already an established author, known for his keen observations on society and politics, often conveyed through the lens of speculative fiction. With Citizen of the Galaxy, Heinlein moves beyond Earth to explore themes of slavery, freedom, and social mobility on a galactic scale.
This novel is the second-to-last work in Heinlein's Juvenile series, a collection aimed at younger readers but equally captivating for adults. Alongside titles like Rocket Ship Galileo, Space Cadet, and Have Space Suit -- Will Travel, it offers a unique perspective on a future shaped by advanced technology show more and complex social norms. What sets Citizen of the Galaxy apart within this series is its heavier themes, including slavery, freedom, and societal customs, lending the work a level of gravitas not always present in the other juvenile works.
The story revolves around Thorby, a young slave who starts life in the worst conditions imaginable, only to be freed by an elderly beggar named Baslim. As Thorby navigates through a myriad of social settings—from slave markets to military vessels to aristocratic households—he offers readers a firsthand exploration of societal structures and what it means to belong. What sets this work apart is Heinlein's expertise in crafting compelling worlds; the Free Traders, the Hegemonic Guard, the planet Jubbul, all come to life in vivid detail. Heinlein doesn't disappoint when it comes to intricate world-building.
The narrative is engaging and quite forward-thinking, considering its publication date. The novel delves into complex issues that are still intensely relevant today. More importantly, the book adopts a remarkably modern perspective on these issues. For example, the story critiques the systemic issues that perpetuate social stratification, rather than blaming individuals for their circumstances. This line of thinking was not commonly found in mainstream literature from the 1950s, especially in science fiction aimed at younger readers. The book essentially encourages readers to question societal norms and structures, an approach that was ahead of its time and continues to be pertinent.
Key Themes and Useful Lessons (My Interpretation)
Interesting Quotations
On societal obligations:
This quote captures the essence of modern life, where the tug-of-war between responsibilities and personal desires often leaves little room for balance. Baslim's advice to Thorby is a timeless lesson on the importance of self-care and ensuring that you don't lose yourself while navigating life's numerous obligations.
On justice:
This quote underscores the idea that justice is best served when you focus on your own actions and ethics, rather than fixating on the behavior of others. By acting justly yourself, you set a standard, creating a ripple effect that can influence the broader social fabric.
On societal norms and customs:
This quote emphasizes the power and necessity of societal norms and customs, even when they may seem illogical at first glance.
On Freedom:
This succinct quote conveys the enduring and sometimes complicated relationship humans have with freedom. Once you've tasted freedom, relinquishing it becomes almost unthinkable, underlining its intrinsic value and the lengths people will go to preserve it.
In conclusion, Citizen of the Galaxy remains a compelling read, not just for its adventurous storyline but for its deep insights into societal constructs and the human condition. The narrative doesn't just entertain; it pushes boundaries and makes the reader think, which is why it's often described as "forward-thinking." If you're looking for a science fiction novel that gives you more than just laser beams and space battles, this Heinlein is a must-read. show less
This novel is the second-to-last work in Heinlein's Juvenile series, a collection aimed at younger readers but equally captivating for adults. Alongside titles like Rocket Ship Galileo, Space Cadet, and Have Space Suit -- Will Travel, it offers a unique perspective on a future shaped by advanced technology show more and complex social norms. What sets Citizen of the Galaxy apart within this series is its heavier themes, including slavery, freedom, and societal customs, lending the work a level of gravitas not always present in the other juvenile works.
The story revolves around Thorby, a young slave who starts life in the worst conditions imaginable, only to be freed by an elderly beggar named Baslim. As Thorby navigates through a myriad of social settings—from slave markets to military vessels to aristocratic households—he offers readers a firsthand exploration of societal structures and what it means to belong. What sets this work apart is Heinlein's expertise in crafting compelling worlds; the Free Traders, the Hegemonic Guard, the planet Jubbul, all come to life in vivid detail. Heinlein doesn't disappoint when it comes to intricate world-building.
The narrative is engaging and quite forward-thinking, considering its publication date. The novel delves into complex issues that are still intensely relevant today. More importantly, the book adopts a remarkably modern perspective on these issues. For example, the story critiques the systemic issues that perpetuate social stratification, rather than blaming individuals for their circumstances. This line of thinking was not commonly found in mainstream literature from the 1950s, especially in science fiction aimed at younger readers. The book essentially encourages readers to question societal norms and structures, an approach that was ahead of its time and continues to be pertinent.
Key Themes and Useful Lessons (My Interpretation)
-
Freedom comes with responsibility: Thorby's transition from a slave to a free citizen is not without its challenges. He learns that the freedom to make choices also entails a responsibility to make ethical decisions. This is an ageless lesson, applicable whether you're in the realm of social ethics or strategic planning in technology design.
-
Identity is fluid: One of the most striking aspects of the book is Thorby's journey through different identities. It raises the question—what really defines us? Is it our social status, our job, our race, or our choices? In the current era of hyper-connectivity and ever-changing roles, this theme is more relevant than ever.
-
The enduring value of mentorship: Baslim's role in shaping Thorby's moral compass underscores the lasting impact of good mentorship. Whether you're a young professional seeking guidance or a seasoned veteran imparting wisdom, the mentor-mentee relationship can be transformative.
Interesting Quotations
On societal obligations:
"I'm so busy doing what I must do that I don't have time for what I ought to do... and I never get a chance to do what I want to do!" "Son, that's universal. The way to keep that recipe from killing you is occasionally to do what you want to do anyhow."
This quote captures the essence of modern life, where the tug-of-war between responsibilities and personal desires often leaves little room for balance. Baslim's advice to Thorby is a timeless lesson on the importance of self-care and ensuring that you don't lose yourself while navigating life's numerous obligations.
On justice:
"The way to find justice is to deal fairly with other people and not worry about how they deal with you."
This quote underscores the idea that justice is best served when you focus on your own actions and ethics, rather than fixating on the behavior of others. By acting justly yourself, you set a standard, creating a ripple effect that can influence the broader social fabric.
On societal norms and customs:
"Customs tell a man who he is, where he belongs, what he must do. Better illogical customs than none; men cannot live together without them."
This quote emphasizes the power and necessity of societal norms and customs, even when they may seem illogical at first glance.
On Freedom:
“Freedom is a hard habit to break.”
This succinct quote conveys the enduring and sometimes complicated relationship humans have with freedom. Once you've tasted freedom, relinquishing it becomes almost unthinkable, underlining its intrinsic value and the lengths people will go to preserve it.
In conclusion, Citizen of the Galaxy remains a compelling read, not just for its adventurous storyline but for its deep insights into societal constructs and the human condition. The narrative doesn't just entertain; it pushes boundaries and makes the reader think, which is why it's often described as "forward-thinking." If you're looking for a science fiction novel that gives you more than just laser beams and space battles, this Heinlein is a must-read. show less
"Goodnight, son," the old beggar whispered. "Good dreams . . . and good luck!"
In “Citizen of the Galaxy” by Robert A. Heinlein
I should ask the Heinlein estate permission to use one his characters in a new story. I could see Thorby going after the slavers, there are so many other characters. Lazarus Long, Started Max Jones, Lip Russell and his spacesuit, Bill Lerner and his farm on Ganymede. John Lyle and America as a theocracy.
Of the three main love interests presented the first was taboo, fair enough and he didn’t really think of her that way before it was too late. The second one he was forced to leave behind to uphold his promise to pops and what he felt was his duty, arguably he could've done more here if he was interested and show more he at the very least though of her that way so it’s a bit "meh' but understandable. The third one though is by now minimum 18 years of age; it’s never really specified exactly but he was taken at 3 and Lida (or Leeda or however it’s spelled said it’s been at least 15 years so at the very least 18 years old. Now here is a young beautiful, caring and brave woman who puts everything on the line to help him, supports him in everything he does, goes against her own parents and literally saves him in more ways than one and you want me to believe an 18 year old man would not give his left nut to get with that? I find that rather unlikely, to imagine he wouldn't even think of her like that is just nonsensical. When they met, he thought she was a 1st cousin. He didn't recognize her as a potential romance; by the time he realised she was, they were "friendzoned". Plus, it's a consistent character trait that he's pretty much oblivious to women's interest; doesn't pick it up, not everyone does. Also, very driven, duty-minded, not to mention traumatized kid; recipe for dissociation, could be that his libido's entirely sublimated. It never occurred to him to sit outside and watch girls walk by, either.
Shouldn't assume that the way western teens are socialized is biologically inevitable. His socialization is more like a refugee child, totally different worldview and priorities. At first I had the same criticism of the Thorby character but after re-reading some of Heinlein's other books and re-reading this book about a billion times I've decided that it's not an error - Heinlein seems to have intentionally written Thorby's character to be more asexual in nature. Especially seeing as he doesn't show sexual interest in any of the other characters and when it is brought up he seems to react in such a way that seems like he's more concerned with their feelings/his duties than he is interested in exploring anything related to sex/sexuality.
I've known a couple of asexual people in life - they're rare but they do indeed exist…
This, ah, old story by Robert Heinlein, is an instruction manual for life, aimed at young people, but meant for anyone who is interested in how things work in a real world setting. A fictional tale that explains real things in allegory and metaphor. So, your wish that this story never end, is somewhat fulfilled. You may enjoy another story by R.H. titled "Stranger in a Strange Land" (LINK), and the original "Dune" series of 6 books by Frank Herbert.
Why does anyone still read Heinlein? Because he's like David Bowie. Even bad Bowie is better than no Bowie.
Perhaps his best juvenile novel. show less
In “Citizen of the Galaxy” by Robert A. Heinlein
I should ask the Heinlein estate permission to use one his characters in a new story. I could see Thorby going after the slavers, there are so many other characters. Lazarus Long, Started Max Jones, Lip Russell and his spacesuit, Bill Lerner and his farm on Ganymede. John Lyle and America as a theocracy.
Of the three main love interests presented the first was taboo, fair enough and he didn’t really think of her that way before it was too late. The second one he was forced to leave behind to uphold his promise to pops and what he felt was his duty, arguably he could've done more here if he was interested and show more he at the very least though of her that way so it’s a bit "meh' but understandable. The third one though is by now minimum 18 years of age; it’s never really specified exactly but he was taken at 3 and Lida (or Leeda or however it’s spelled said it’s been at least 15 years so at the very least 18 years old. Now here is a young beautiful, caring and brave woman who puts everything on the line to help him, supports him in everything he does, goes against her own parents and literally saves him in more ways than one and you want me to believe an 18 year old man would not give his left nut to get with that? I find that rather unlikely, to imagine he wouldn't even think of her like that is just nonsensical. When they met, he thought she was a 1st cousin. He didn't recognize her as a potential romance; by the time he realised she was, they were "friendzoned". Plus, it's a consistent character trait that he's pretty much oblivious to women's interest; doesn't pick it up, not everyone does. Also, very driven, duty-minded, not to mention traumatized kid; recipe for dissociation, could be that his libido's entirely sublimated. It never occurred to him to sit outside and watch girls walk by, either.
Shouldn't assume that the way western teens are socialized is biologically inevitable. His socialization is more like a refugee child, totally different worldview and priorities. At first I had the same criticism of the Thorby character but after re-reading some of Heinlein's other books and re-reading this book about a billion times I've decided that it's not an error - Heinlein seems to have intentionally written Thorby's character to be more asexual in nature. Especially seeing as he doesn't show sexual interest in any of the other characters and when it is brought up he seems to react in such a way that seems like he's more concerned with their feelings/his duties than he is interested in exploring anything related to sex/sexuality.
I've known a couple of asexual people in life - they're rare but they do indeed exist…
This, ah, old story by Robert Heinlein, is an instruction manual for life, aimed at young people, but meant for anyone who is interested in how things work in a real world setting. A fictional tale that explains real things in allegory and metaphor. So, your wish that this story never end, is somewhat fulfilled. You may enjoy another story by R.H. titled "Stranger in a Strange Land" (LINK), and the original "Dune" series of 6 books by Frank Herbert.
Why does anyone still read Heinlein? Because he's like David Bowie. Even bad Bowie is better than no Bowie.
Perhaps his best juvenile novel. show less
I have always had somewhat ambivalent feelings about Robert A. Heinlein – well, maybe not always: If I’m not mistaken I encountered him first when I was still a child, in German translation, and most likely abridged; those weren’t even paperbacks but the brochure format that was and I think still is popular in Germany for all kinds of pulp literature and which I used to devour by the dozens back in the day, and through all genres – Science Fiction, Romance, Crime, Western… I read them all.
Anyway – Heinlein. As I grew up, and moved from his juveniles to his later work, my youthful enthusiasm for novels like Have Spacesuit Will Travel began to wane somewhat. Seen with a more critical eye brought on with greater maturity (or so show more I hope), it becomes hard to overlook that many of his political views are not exactly enlightened, that there is some weird stuff going on with gender relations, and that there is overall way too much sermonising on whatever subject happened to catch Heinlein’s fancy at the moment – Stranger in a Strange Land, to cite but one example, is pretty much one long sermon from beginning to end.
On the other hand… there just is something about Heinlein that grips you and you won’t let go, that draws you in and keeps you reading and turning pages even as you groan at yet another sermon and roll your eyes at yet another awkward fornication scene. I’m still trying to figure out what constitutes that appeal for me, but I strongly suspect that it has do with his narrative voice. I don’t think anybody is going to accuse Heinlein of writing literary fiction, and yet I have only recently seen the prevalence of voice of plot singled out as the trait that seperates literary fiction from genre literature. Based on the writings of Heinlein and some others I tend to disagree with that assessment, because while his works are very much genre, there also is a dinstinct style to them, a certain tone to their narrative voice, a unique lilt to the rhythm of their prose that are unmistakeably his.
That tone seems to go best with first person narrative (as indeed most of his novels are), and maybe that is the reason why it did not appear very pronounced in Citizen of the Galaxy, as that novel is told entirely in the third person. Which would make for a weaker Heinlein novel, except that there is hardly any of his trademark sermonising either, and it being a juvenile, no sex at all. It’s almost like his good side and his bad side were somehow interdependent on each other, and you couldn’t have one without the other. And if you tone down on one, you’ll water down the other and end up with some kind of middle-of-the-road Heinlein, which is basically what Citizen of the Galaxy is – it is not his best, but not his worst either, in fact it probably would make a good introduction for people new to Heinlein to find out whether they can stomach him at all, or even for people who otherwise dislike his works.
It is an entertaining romp, even if there is not really much happening – it’s bascially a classical Bildungsroman, with the hero wandering around, seeing places and getting to know people, all of which makes him grow as a person and finally become fully himself. There is of course an SFnal element, in that that he also encounters a variety of different societies in space and on planets - and I think this is something that makes Citizen of the Galaxy stand out among other sci-fi novels of the period, in so far as back in the day (1957, to be precise) there was not that much Science Fiction around that placed its emphasis on anthropology and sociology rather than on the hard sciences.
And a final point in which I find this novel noteworthy is in clearing up Heinlein’s attitude towards women which is a persistently recurring debate. While none of them are primary characters, there are a lot of female secondary characters around – and not a single one of them is the simpering, helpless wifey sort that would conform to the period stereotype, but without exception they are all extremely intelligent and highly competent persons. I don’t think anybody who reads Citizen of the Galaxy with an open mind will in good conscience be able to call Heinlein a misogynist. However, while there is nothing wrong with his female characters per se, the way he depicts their role in future society and in relationships appears to me to be deeply problematic – it seems even in the future, women cannot hold a position of power by themselves, but need to be married to a powerful man to achieve anything, with the male being in public view and the female using their relationship to manipulate and pull strings in the background to exert any influence. That is a very 19th century attitude, and seems strangely anachronistic for a future society. But then, they still have slavery, too, and the struggle to abolish it is Citizen of the Galaxy’s main plot point… except that there is no Hegemonic Guard to fight for female emancipation. show less
Anyway – Heinlein. As I grew up, and moved from his juveniles to his later work, my youthful enthusiasm for novels like Have Spacesuit Will Travel began to wane somewhat. Seen with a more critical eye brought on with greater maturity (or so show more I hope), it becomes hard to overlook that many of his political views are not exactly enlightened, that there is some weird stuff going on with gender relations, and that there is overall way too much sermonising on whatever subject happened to catch Heinlein’s fancy at the moment – Stranger in a Strange Land, to cite but one example, is pretty much one long sermon from beginning to end.
On the other hand… there just is something about Heinlein that grips you and you won’t let go, that draws you in and keeps you reading and turning pages even as you groan at yet another sermon and roll your eyes at yet another awkward fornication scene. I’m still trying to figure out what constitutes that appeal for me, but I strongly suspect that it has do with his narrative voice. I don’t think anybody is going to accuse Heinlein of writing literary fiction, and yet I have only recently seen the prevalence of voice of plot singled out as the trait that seperates literary fiction from genre literature. Based on the writings of Heinlein and some others I tend to disagree with that assessment, because while his works are very much genre, there also is a dinstinct style to them, a certain tone to their narrative voice, a unique lilt to the rhythm of their prose that are unmistakeably his.
That tone seems to go best with first person narrative (as indeed most of his novels are), and maybe that is the reason why it did not appear very pronounced in Citizen of the Galaxy, as that novel is told entirely in the third person. Which would make for a weaker Heinlein novel, except that there is hardly any of his trademark sermonising either, and it being a juvenile, no sex at all. It’s almost like his good side and his bad side were somehow interdependent on each other, and you couldn’t have one without the other. And if you tone down on one, you’ll water down the other and end up with some kind of middle-of-the-road Heinlein, which is basically what Citizen of the Galaxy is – it is not his best, but not his worst either, in fact it probably would make a good introduction for people new to Heinlein to find out whether they can stomach him at all, or even for people who otherwise dislike his works.
It is an entertaining romp, even if there is not really much happening – it’s bascially a classical Bildungsroman, with the hero wandering around, seeing places and getting to know people, all of which makes him grow as a person and finally become fully himself. There is of course an SFnal element, in that that he also encounters a variety of different societies in space and on planets - and I think this is something that makes Citizen of the Galaxy stand out among other sci-fi novels of the period, in so far as back in the day (1957, to be precise) there was not that much Science Fiction around that placed its emphasis on anthropology and sociology rather than on the hard sciences.
And a final point in which I find this novel noteworthy is in clearing up Heinlein’s attitude towards women which is a persistently recurring debate. While none of them are primary characters, there are a lot of female secondary characters around – and not a single one of them is the simpering, helpless wifey sort that would conform to the period stereotype, but without exception they are all extremely intelligent and highly competent persons. I don’t think anybody who reads Citizen of the Galaxy with an open mind will in good conscience be able to call Heinlein a misogynist. However, while there is nothing wrong with his female characters per se, the way he depicts their role in future society and in relationships appears to me to be deeply problematic – it seems even in the future, women cannot hold a position of power by themselves, but need to be married to a powerful man to achieve anything, with the male being in public view and the female using their relationship to manipulate and pull strings in the background to exert any influence. That is a very 19th century attitude, and seems strangely anachronistic for a future society. But then, they still have slavery, too, and the struggle to abolish it is Citizen of the Galaxy’s main plot point… except that there is no Hegemonic Guard to fight for female emancipation. show less
People may think what they want about Robert Heinlein but man had a lot to say about the society and how people should act and behave.
Story starts on a feudal world called Sargon where young boy is given for sale on the slave market. Thus starts the story of Thorby, kid slave that went through unimaginable horrors until he was bought by Baslim the Beggar and given chance to live and prosper. By telling us the story of Thorby, Heinlein gives us story of growing up and how no matter where and when one starts the life journey if one wants to live righteous and good life there are no obstacles, there needs to be a will to live a good life, will to live and respect all around.
Thorby starts learning from the Baslim how to survive in the show more streets and [as time goes by] gets schooled in pretty advanced subjects by his benefactor (and later finds out his benefactor is much more than it meets the eye), learning about Sargonites and their culture, pushed to another more exotic environment after escaping with the help of so called Free Traders, star roamers, closely knit and isolated communities living on board vast trade ships, only to finally end his travels by reaching the greatest enigma of all, Earth, cradle of humanity. It is story of search for one's identity but also story of young person seeing and experiencing humanity in its worse (Sargonite slavers), best (Baslim, people helping him escape Sargon), isolated (Free Traders) and all in the between (Earth). Seeing and experiencing but never feeling resentment and hate toward individuals, toward some societies and their cruel cultures sure but never general populace. Can you imagine this today, in our times? I sure cant.
Author tells a wonderful story in which all people are people, maybe divergent from the mainstream humanity due to conditions in which they live and maybe living a cruel life of banditry - but people. People who have hopes, dreams not unlike every other person.
What one decides to do with one's life is what makes the difference, change can be done and needs to be done but must not be marred by hatred and barbarism. Again, something that is unthinkable in this day and time.
While we follow Thorby in his adventures we encounter various societies and how they are placed in relation to individual freedom. Some are outright class/caste society where there is no individual freedom for lower castes, some again are so isolated and family bound that they function perfectly but no-one is actually free [individually] because they need to follow certain rules, commands and taboos, and finally some are insidious, societies of free and equal but where we have those that are more equal than the others and where one is not exactly in power of his life but controlled from shadows, those true policy makers.
So we are given a story of a sound-minded and logical person, capable of change and seeking knowledge, who feels a lot but does not allow his feelings to sideline him. Some might call him that terrible world nowadays - stoic (oh my....). Again, in these times where one needs to feel, and feel to the extreme, pick sides, look at the others with nothing but disdain...... can you imagine this book was written at times where there was sanity? Those times are no nearer than Barsoom or Avalon of old these days.
Ending seems rushed a bit but sounds real so it did not ruin the experience for me.
Wonderful book, highly recommended to all fans of space adventure. show less
Story starts on a feudal world called Sargon where young boy is given for sale on the slave market. Thus starts the story of Thorby, kid slave that went through unimaginable horrors until he was bought by Baslim the Beggar and given chance to live and prosper. By telling us the story of Thorby, Heinlein gives us story of growing up and how no matter where and when one starts the life journey if one wants to live righteous and good life there are no obstacles, there needs to be a will to live a good life, will to live and respect all around.
Thorby starts learning from the Baslim how to survive in the show more streets and [as time goes by] gets schooled in pretty advanced subjects by his benefactor (and later finds out his benefactor is much more than it meets the eye), learning about Sargonites and their culture, pushed to another more exotic environment after escaping with the help of so called Free Traders, star roamers, closely knit and isolated communities living on board vast trade ships, only to finally end his travels by reaching the greatest enigma of all, Earth, cradle of humanity. It is story of search for one's identity but also story of young person seeing and experiencing humanity in its worse (Sargonite slavers), best (Baslim, people helping him escape Sargon), isolated (Free Traders) and all in the between (Earth). Seeing and experiencing but never feeling resentment and hate toward individuals, toward some societies and their cruel cultures sure but never general populace. Can you imagine this today, in our times? I sure cant.
Author tells a wonderful story in which all people are people, maybe divergent from the mainstream humanity due to conditions in which they live and maybe living a cruel life of banditry - but people. People who have hopes, dreams not unlike every other person.
What one decides to do with one's life is what makes the difference, change can be done and needs to be done but must not be marred by hatred and barbarism. Again, something that is unthinkable in this day and time.
While we follow Thorby in his adventures we encounter various societies and how they are placed in relation to individual freedom. Some are outright class/caste society where there is no individual freedom for lower castes, some again are so isolated and family bound that they function perfectly but no-one is actually free [individually] because they need to follow certain rules, commands and taboos, and finally some are insidious, societies of free and equal but where we have those that are more equal than the others and where one is not exactly in power of his life but controlled from shadows, those true policy makers.
So we are given a story of a sound-minded and logical person, capable of change and seeking knowledge, who feels a lot but does not allow his feelings to sideline him. Some might call him that terrible world nowadays - stoic (oh my....). Again, in these times where one needs to feel, and feel to the extreme, pick sides, look at the others with nothing but disdain...... can you imagine this book was written at times where there was sanity? Those times are no nearer than Barsoom or Avalon of old these days.
Ending seems rushed a bit but sounds real so it did not ruin the experience for me.
Wonderful book, highly recommended to all fans of space adventure. show less
Thoroughly meh mid-period Heinlein—published only a few years before Stranger in a Strange Land, probably his best book, and one that shares the theme of an orphan finding his place in the universe after wrestling with questions of freedom and morality. As with nearly all Heinlein from the 1950s on, there's a lot of reader-lecturing here, partly from wise older characters and partly from the omniscient narrator. Some of it is edifying, even if you don't agree; these days, you don't see much philosophical opinion about the inherent conflict between individual liberty and the good of society as a whole that doesn't come down squarely on one side or the other. On the other hand, there's the usual alarming Heinlein stuff carried over from show more his early-20th-century upbringing: in this case, his belief (referenced several times) that children learn better when they're slapped around by their teachers. Apparently, at the time of writing, Heinlein was reading in anthropology—the middle section of the book includes extended discussion of clans and moieties (arbitrary divisions of society to prevent inbreeding) in relation to the large closed-system pirate starship on which the hero lives for a while. There's even a social scientist based on Margaret Mead. Sadly, this section of the book ends abruptly by a deus ex machina plot development that neatly sets up the moral the author wanted to get across. If you're a Heinlein completist, you won't find Citizen a waste of time, but if you only read a few Heinlein books, you'll be better off with others. show less
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Author Information
459+ Works 173,819 Members
Robert Anson Heinlein was born on July 7, 1907 in Butler, Mo. The son of Rex Ivar and Bam Lyle Heinlein, Robert Heinlein had two older brothers, one younger brother, and three younger sisters. Moving to Kansas City, Mo., at a young age, Heinlein graduated from Central High School in 1924 and attended one year of college at Kansas City Community show more College. Following in his older brother's footsteps, Heinlein entered the Navel Academy in 1925. After contracting pulmonary tuberculosis, of which he was later cured, Heinlein retired from the Navy and married Leslyn MacDonald. Heinlein was said to have held jobs in real estate and photography, before he began working as a staff writer for Upton Sinclair's EPIC News in 1938. Still needing money desperately, Heinlein entered a writing contest sponsored by the science fiction magazine Thrilling Wonder Stories. Heinlein wrote and submitted the story "Life-Line," which went on to win the contest. This guaranteed Heinlein a future in writing. Using his real name and the pen names Caleb Saunders, Anson MacDonald, Lyle Monroe, John Riverside, and Simon York, Heinlein wrote numerous novels including For Us the Living, Methuselah's Children, and Starship Troopers, which was adapted into a big-budget film for Tri-Star Pictures in 1997. The Science Fiction Writers of America named Heinlein its first Grand Master in 1974, presented 1975. Officers and past presidents of the Association select a living writer for lifetime achievement. Also, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame inducted Heinlein in 1998. Heinlein died in 1988 from emphysema and other related health problems. Heinlein's remains were scattered from the stern of a Navy warship off the coast of California. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- Cittadino della galassia
- Original title
- Citizen of the Galaxy
- Original publication date
- 1957
- People/Characters
- Thorby; Baslim
- Dedication
- To Fritz Leiber
- First words
- "Lot ninety-seven," the auctioneer announced. "A boy."
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Goodnight, son," the old beggar whispered. "Good dreams . . . and good luck!"
- Publisher's editor*
- Editrice Nord S.r.l.
- Original language
- English
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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