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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My wife regularly writes reviews, even of books we’ve both read and enjoyed, but I’m taking over the keyboard for this one. Why? Quite simply because Heinlein is not only the one who introduced me to my (gulp, near 6 decades) lifelong love of science fiction but of reading itself. The first book I ever borrowed from a library was Have Space Suit Will Travel and I’ve never looked back. The reason for this in the case of Heinlein is that they were all so astoundingly superb. That certainly included The Number of the Beast, the parallel novel to this one (they diverge at approximately the 1/3rd mark, at the perfect point for parallel story and universe divergence). Happily it’s also true of The Pursuit of the Pankera. I actually got my copy of this book by participating in the Kickstarter campaign for it. It’s the only such campaign I’ve ever participated in. Having now poured through the book, I’m delighted that I did so. It was just perfect and wonderful fun – and, I’m delighted to say – very easy to highly recommend.
Many, many moons ago I read The Number of the Beast. In spite of being an avid Heinlein fan, I didn’t like it – barely managed to finish the book. I like The Pursuit of the Pankera MUCH better (Yes, I know the first part is identical). This is a delightful romp full of Heinlein’s personal opinions on right and wrong, the best ways to live and govern, and lots of politically incorrect ideas. However, the characters are fully realized and fun, the dialogue imaginative, and the writing crisp. Most of all, Heinlein’s classic insistence on honor and love come through loud and clear!
It is The Number of the Beast with some changes. I am not sure whether anyone tells a story better than Robert A. Heinlein.
Same basic outline as NOTB.
I find it interesting that he told/tells this parallel universe story as more evidence of the possibility of parallel universes accumulates. Perhaps it is not fiction at all.
This book makes me exceptionally glad that RAH went with The Number of the Beast at the first time of release as opposed to this version. At the same time, it was a small morsel that if only for a moment or two, sated the hunger for ‘just a little more Heinlein, please’ and I’m quite happy it was there.
Was a Heinlein enthusiast back in the 70s and 80s, and still like his earlier works. Pretty much everything after “Friday”, though, had gotten less and less interesting…
A nice addition to the Heinlein library. We follow our four intrepid explorers as they Dash from universe to universe; sometimes going left to right and sometimes up to down. It turns out that universes are kind of like books… In some of them, you already know the story. In others, its brand new. Sometimes there are just a little differences, and others the changes are huge and sometimes it’s just magical.
The two husband and wife teams are perfect matches. They are smart and witty and opinionated and supportive. It’s amazing how much dialogue is in this story. Sometimes pages and pages at a time of nothing but well written dialogue. Kind of like a Tarantino movie.
All of the authors philosophy is on display. Enjoy! I sure did.
Had to double check it wasn’t The Number of the Beast as it seems to take a long time to get to where the two books diverge. An interesting alternate story, but I still prefer TNofB.
historical re Heinlein
Tough to write a poor review for Heinlein but this book just didn’t measure up.
Boring and dated. Don’t bother.
This is a love letter to Edgar Rice Burroughs and John Carter of Mars.
I first read this story when I was 17 and returning to it felt like slipping into comfy slippers… That said, stories we love as children tend not to age well. I love Jules Verne, but his total aversion to writing female characters make me as uncomfortable now as it didn’t bother me at all before puberty. Jane Austen is fun, but her stories don’t fit well with modern sensitivities. The same is true of Robert A. Heinlein’s writing. If you can forgive the outdated notions and cultural norms from which he wrote, you will have a blast. But sometimes it is difficult… I still give this book 5 stars because I loved it so much when I read it back in high school. I remembered the Gay Deceiver and its bathroom suite for all my life even as I totally forgot the rest of the story. And so many books and authors stood on the shoulders and ideas of Mr. Heinlein — 1Q84 was a strange retelling fo this book…even if Haruki Murakami doesn’t realize it.
i am a huge fan of Heinlein for at least 50 years. I have read several of his books many times. This was the first time that I read The Pursuit of the Pankera. It was just a slight disappointment but only a slight one.
I loved how he blended many scifi legends and stories into one great big wonderful adventure. I recommend it wholeheartedly.
I have loved everything Heinlein wrote and this, as an alternative narrative, is great.
So-so. Childish. Repetitious. I can see why it was not published for many years after it was written. I did not finish reading it.
Heinlein can write. ’nuff said!
It is by Heinlein; that should be enough. This is almost “The Number of the Beast” . Since the book is by Heinlein it is obviously superbly written and entertaining.
rah rides again. it has his flavor. i liked it; it was hard to put down to take care of business…life intruded on my enjoyment. if you’ve enjoyed this series, you’ll enjoy this one and wish there was more to it
The book has a very substantial overlap with “The Number of the Beast” (TNotB).
Differences include a substantially different and extended Barsoom segment, likewise the Lensmen chapters are also very different. It is much more action-oriented and less philosophical than TNotB.
However, the ending feels rushed and rather sparse. I think Heinlein would have fleshed it out if TPotP had been given the green light by his publisher. Likewise he might have changed the chapters in mid-book that are 95%+ identical with TNotB.
Still, it is a must for Heinlein fans. I’m glad they located the pieces and reconstructed this piece of Heinlein lore.
It’s typical Heinlein. Actually its the rough draft for “Number of the Beast”, including up to leaving Earth 0, finding their new “Safe Harbor” on the world where they hung the lawyers, and Lazarus Long by a different name. At first I thought it was written before “Time enough for Love” but it’s obvious that it was written after. I have to wonder if he spiked it because it borrowed too much from the Lensman series.
Unfortunately, Heinlein’s depictions of male/female relations and how women think is so out of kilter with the last 50 years that his depictions are more cringe-worthy than entertaining.