Methuselah's Children
by Robert A. Heinlein
science fiction
copyright 1958
read in April 2013
rated 6 out of 10: read to pass the time
Sure, this is Heinlein. And"Heinlein defined modern science fiction." Frederick Pohl said so. It says so on the cover.
Yes, this book is good, solid science fiction: the characters are cardboard, the plot is thin and the scientific what-if is the best part. It's an interesting take on mankind's reaction to people who are believed to be holding a valuable secret.
Easy to read but not much more than a scientific what-if. Somewhere in between exciting and boring.
The book is dedicated, "To Edward E. Smith, Ph.D". And yes, it is clear that this is Heinlein inspired by Doc Smith. Except that Doc Smith is a lot more fun.
Take, for example, the limiting factor of the speed of light...
The captain of Doc Smith's Skylark mentions Einstein's theoretical limit. But, says the captain, that is only a theory... So he simply puts his foot flat to the floor -- and exceeds the speed of light. Heinlein's captain takes three pages of scientific gobbledegook -- then decides to not even try.
Doc Smith also offers a more positive view of humanity's place in the universe... No matter where they go, no matter what aliens they meet, the heroic humans are superior. Not necessarily in all ways. But, somehow, humans are at the head of the species pecking order.
Heinlein skips the challenge of plot and introduces us to several alien races. In each case, humans are overawed and overwhelmed. Okay, the heroes agree that, we'll improve and we'll be back... More realistic, perhaps. Just not as much fun.
Then the heroes arrive home and... all their problems have been solved. Ho hum.
A book worth writing. Just not a great book for reading.
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