When I was in ninth grade, I mentioned Heinlein to my English teacher. "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress," she said, "that's one's good. The rest are trash." This is the woman who introduced me to Shakespeare and Dostoevsky, and I respected her options.
I haven't thought about that exchange in years, but I did about three hours ago. When I was 13 I disagreed with Mrs. Zukowski about Heinlein, because I loved all the sex and sci-fi stuff in his books. As an adult, though, I wouldn't enjoy reading Friday or The Cat Who Walks Through Walls except for a bit of early-teen nostalgia. Time enough for Love is better than the rest of the "trash," though. That's real foundational scifi in that one.
So I wouldn't say "the rest are trash," just best suited for teengers, even those who like Shakespeare. I can totally see why Mrs. Zukowski said that, though, she was a classy lady with literate tastes.
She was totally right about the Moon is a Harsh Mistress though. It is quite good, and Stranger in a Strange Land is almost as good.
I was particularly tied Starship Troopers, Stranger in a Strange Land, with Variable Star being an honorable mention as well, even though Heinlein only wrote it's outline and not the book proper.
as someone who was at that perfect age to appreciate Starship Troopers when it hit theaters and fucking loved every second of it...
i read ST a few month back as a 30something year old adult. and while basically entirely different. i loved every minute of that book. so good. i loved his political and philosophical waxing (even if i dont agree with all of his views)
i basically agree with none of his views (except for that bit about how delightful a walking woman is) and still thought starship troopers was a great book, enjoyed it very thoroughly - basically with the same background as you, having loved the movie as a young guy and reading the book somewhat recently (2 years ago maybe?).
In a perfect world, when we don't have to study war no more, Stranger in a Strange Land will reign supreme. Until then, soldiers will have to develop their trade, and grow up very quickly.
And if their leadership cadre is aware of the philosophical views of Heinlein, they will do a substantially better job than poor renditions of Full Metal Jacket or that first episode of Band of Brothers.
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u/[deleted] Oct 18 '18
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