Robert A. Heinlein was the most influential science fiction writer of his era, an influence so large that, as Samuel R. Delany notes, “modern critics attempting to wrestle with that influence find themselves dealing with an object rather like the sky or an ocean.” He won the Hugo Award for best novel four times, a record that still stands. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress was the last of these … Hugo-winning novels, and it is widely considered his finest work.
It is a tale of revolution, of the rebellion of the former Lunar penal colony against the Lunar Authority that controls it from Earth. It is the tale of the disparate people–a computer technician, a vigorous young female agitator, and an elderly academic–who become the rebel movement’s leaders. And it is the story of Mike, the supercomputer whose sentience is known only to this inner circle, and who for reasons of his own is committed to the revolution’s ultimate success.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is one of the high points of modern science fiction, a novel bursting with politics, humanity, passion, innovative technical speculation, and a firm belief in the pursuit of human freedom.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is the winner of the 1967 Hugo Award for Best Novel.
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Told in first person, this story takes place in a future where the Moon is a prison colony (much like Australia), settled by criminals, political dissenters, and their descendants. The narration style is very unique, as the inhabitants of Luna have their own bastardized language, and the world-building is outstanding. I reread this book once every five years or so, and every time I appreciate it just a bit more.
“The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” – what a title, sometimes I wonder if this book is considered such a classic in large part due to that title. Despite some imperfections, it does have much to offer, especially being published in the mid-1960’s. The setting revolves around a former Lunar penal colony, which has evolved into a highly functioning colony with ice mining and highly successful grain farming. The colony is tightly managed by the Lunar Authority which is controlled from Earth. Set in the later 21st century, Heinlein imagines an intriguing future, publicizing some groundbreaking technology and ideas. We not only have sentient computers, railguns, fusion power, space battles with laser guns, we also have a Lunar dialect, unique family and marital structures, and different social norms, sprung out of living in a harsh and compact environment. After establishing this future, the book explores a lunar revolution. Take the American Revolution narrative, mix it with the Australian evolution from a penal colony to an independent nation, stir in some libertarian ideology and you have the plot.
When I first read this book in the mid-1980’s it was later high school or early college years, I can’t quite remember. I was astonished by the concepts in this book. I was also intrigued by the sentient computer and the concept of using a railgun for space travel/logistics. Moreover, It was the first time I was truly interested in politics and political principals. I mean, I had some lessons in high school around government, but I found it mind-numbingly boring. This book trigged something intellectually that made me think deeply about government philosophy. Since then, I’ve considered the book one of my favorite science fiction books, if not overall favorite books. So, I almost regret this reread, as I just couldn’t ignore some of its flaws.
The primary issue with this book is sexism. I’m sure at the time of its writing it was probably considered progressive in terms of how it treated female characters. I mean one of the central figures of the revolt is a woman. And the women on the moon control large, extended families with polygamous relationships. Women are revered and sexual advances are not allowed without permission. Advanced thinking for the early 1960’s, right? Well, unfortunately, you only need to go one step deeper to dig down to the issues. Women are only revered and not touched or raped due to their scarcity. The constant threat of other males tossing violators out an airlock is what creates this situation. It’s still socially acceptable to catcall and ogle women, and in this reality, women enjoy this type of lecherous attention because they don’t have to worry about rape. While one of the central characters is one of four founding members of the revolution, her role is often to gain interest and support due to her attractiveness. And when miners are reluctant to main defensive laser positions, the solution is to provide pretty women at the posts as well, problem solved!
Another issue includes a tremendous amount of exposition. It does help that its written in first person, so at least the infodumps are coming from the mind of the protagonist, instead of an anonymous narrator. The exposition also serves to move the plot along quickly at times, when complex setting, political, and technical information needs to be established. However, it did limit my enjoyment to continuously run into large blocks of narration.
Despite these flaws, it’s still an important book. Using science fiction to explore political affairs and alternate social structures set a foundation that many future authors built upon. Might we not have “The Handmaids Tale” without this book? Possibly. Was it brave in the 1960’s to explore alternate social structures such as polygamy? Definitely. Did the book popularize some intriguing concepts such as the importance of the moon’s weak gravity well, sentient computers, and rail guns? Absolutely. In the context of history, I still rate this book highly. However, I feel compelled to take away at least half a star in recognizing some underlying issues – TANSTAAFL! Four and a half stars, rounded up to five for this Hugo Award winning, philosophical yet action packed tale.
Mind opener
Old classic sci-fi
Everything Helnlein wrote was a classic. Highly recommended.
Organized oppression will often lead to rebellion, especially when death itself almost seems to be the preferable option.
This is one of my favorite Heinlein tales. Inventive, great characters, a rousing story line, hidden social commentary (dear Lord – gasp – 3/4 of the way through we discover the lead is black and one of his alternating male-female “line marriage” wives is a white blonde: pretty scary fir the 60s when this book came out). Also neat and inventive speculative sci-fi that still feels fresh 40+ years later. Wow indeed. Highly recommended indeed as well.
One of Mr Heinlein’s best stories. He built a believable story line, without boring us with “Science facts.” I especially enjoyed his treatment of the personality of his Artificial Intelligent character, Mike. The book as a whole took me the reader through the rebellion of a repressed society to a satisfying ending though tinged with some sadness. I recommend “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” to anyone who enjoys a good adventurous story, science fiction or not.
Great early Heinlein
one of the best books I’ve ever read. Tops on my Heinlein list
Economic theory disguised as a novel. Ranks with Starship Trooper (Political theory in spite of the mangling of the political thought in the atrocious movie version)
As usual full of Heinlein’s philosophy. But it all hold together as he builds towards the revolution of the Lunies. Mike Holmes is one of the best characters RAH has created.
One of his best.
Read this as a teenager and loved it.
I was introduced to Heinlein as a child through The Past Through Tomorrow, a collection of short stories that mysteriously appeared in our house (my parents are non-fiction types). The stories are diverse, but as you progress through the book, you realize they are all connected, culminating in the final story that ties everything together. A wonderful book.
I love Heinlein’s works and could wax poetic about all of them, but I’m reviewing The Moon is a Harsh Mistress because it is the first Heinlein novel I read. I thought it marvelous–the moon as a penal colony, the “inmates” developing their own cultural mores and the like. It was the first time I’d heard of group marriage, which seems like a good idea if that’s your sort of thing. I also liked the idea of stuffing a computer with so much information that it not only “wakes up,” but hey, it’s friendly, too!
Some of Heinlein’s worldviews are deemed not-quite-acceptable today, but in his time he was daring, tearing into society’s expectations about the role of women, for example. His female characters are strong and capable, but distinctly feminine, as compared to many female heroines nowadays who are strong and capable but definitely not feminine. For me, neither of these are a good thing or a bad thing, but merely a reflection of how the world has moved on from his time to ours. So I can read Heinlein without cringing, and enjoy him as much now as I did then.
I read this back in the ’60’s or ’70’s and it is still one of my favorite books. Great story.
One of the best libertarian Science Fiction novels out there. A must-read for any fan of colonization and space travel.
My favorite Heinlein story. I love the origins of Mike the computer and the relationship with his human best buddy Manuel, plus the great world he created in Luna. The action and portrayal of a revolutionary uprising with good doses of humor always makes me smile, and each time I read it I feel like I’m coming home to an old friend.
Awesome!
I started reading Heinlein in grade school (Have Spacesuit Will Travel) and haunted the library and used book stores for more! Now I have three copies of almost every thing he wrote, the first 2copies are just about worn out, and I am working on the third. The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress (was and still is my favorite!!) And I still ask my computer every once in a while “Mike are you in there?”