The Pursuit of the Pankera is one of the most audacious experiments ever done in science fiction by the legendary author of the classic bestseller Starship Troopers. Robert A. Heinlein wrote The Number of the Beast, which was published in 1980. In the book Zeb, Deety, Hilda and Jake are ambushed by the alien “Black Hats” and barely escape with their lives on a specially configured vehicle (the … lives on a specially configured vehicle (the Gay Deceiver) which can travel along various planes of existence, allowing them to visit parallel universes.
However, unknown to most fans, Heinlein had already written a “parallel” novel about the four characters and parallel universes in 1977. He effectively wrote two parallel novels about parallel universes. The novels share the same start, but as soon as the Gay Deceiver is used to transport them to a parallel universe, each book transports them to a totally different parallel world.
From that point on the plot lines diverge completely. While The Number of the Beast morphs into something very different, more representative of later Heinlein works, The Pursuit of the Pankera remains on target with a much more traditional Heinleinesque storyline and ending, reminiscent of his earlier works.
The Pursuit of the Pankera was never published and there have been many competing theories as to why (including significant copyright issues in 1977). Over time the manuscript was largely forgotten but survived in fragments. A recent re-examination of these fragments, however, made it clear that put together in the right order they constituted the complete novel.
And here it finally is: Robert A. Heinlein’s audacious experiment. A fitting farewell from one of the most inventive science fiction writers to have ever lived: a parallel novel about parallel universes as well as a great adventure pitting the forces of good versus evil only the way Heinlein could do.
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This is certainly not Number of the Beast, despite it’s similar start. In a lot of ways, this book is better. No spoilers, but if you like Heinlein, especially his later works, you should like this. Highly recommended.
Any Heinlein is good Heinlein in my book. I am so glad that they found this and published it. I won’t say it is better than Number of the Beast, but I am so glad to be able to read it.
Heinlein is a very reliable story teller, with interesting characters embedded in very interesting science fiction backgrounds. He always has an ending that pulls the disparate threads of the plot together. The backgrounds are described clearly enough that I can build a picture in my mind. The only quirk, and in light of his many virtues it is easy to to forgive, is he has now (2020) what have become very dated (1930’s to 1970’s, and seeming quite old fashioned by the end of his career) attitudes toward the nature and social roles of women.