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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One of the best books from one of the all time greats. Politics, economics, revolution, and artificial intelligence rolled up into a great story.
The 4th and final Hugo Award for the 1st SFWA Grand Master.
First read this book in high school. A classic well ahead of its time and could still be considered a valid forecast of the future. Many of Heinlein’s concepts and politics is as strangely valid today as they were in 1966.
One of his best. Engaging and interesting.
Since I think Heinlein is the greatest SF author ever, not an unbiased review. As usual, an unconventional society but based on solid technology and social science. The big plot is of a society on the moon that has grown from exiles and convicts (see how Australia was colonized) being driven to a rebellion. Small scale, a very unconventional marriage and a computer character that is the exact opposite of a HAL 9000.
Fits somewhere between his young adult early stories and his more serious later works.
Classic Heinlein. Great characters. Heinlein’s view of things is unique. But, you have to buy the book because TINSTAAFL.
The grand master’s best work, in my opinion. There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch, INDEED.
Classic juvenile science fiction.
It’s a classic, albeit with problematic aspects. One of the first “friendly AI” examples, rather than “evil AI.”
Read this book as a young person very long ago. Loved it then. Holds up 100% and may be even more relevant today when all want something for nothing.
Tanasavall , no free lunch.
A good to great science fiction book from an earlier era by a master storyteller.
I am a fan of the author and couldn’t believe that I had missed this book. I finally read it and although it starts a bit slow the plot picked up and I was hooked. There are a lot of references to American history in the story but it was a fun read.
In spite of its famous title, and its awards, I actually think this is not one of Heinlein’s best books. Still, if you share my love/hate relationship to Heinlein, you’ll probably enjoy reading it.
I read this book over 20 years ago and shared it with the rest of my family.
One of Heinlien’s best. It’s not just a great SiFi story, but an informative outline of revolutionary cell structure. I gave this to a grad school prof and she used it as a requirement in her future classes.
Possibly the best of classic sci-fi. Heinlein at his best!
a Political Thriller, where people aren’t allowed to govern themselves, even after they and their descendants finish their Penal Colony time, and find themselves Permanent residents of the moon.
they plot a revolution and ask the hard questions of how to govern themselves once they win
Classic Heinlein!
This is my #1 all-time favorite book.
This is one of my all-time favorite books
From the golden age of sci-fi. The computer is somewhat dated, but the plot and characters are very enjoyable.