Message-ID: <5800001@hpfcma.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 13-Dec-84 16:02:00 EST
Article-I.D.: hpfcma.5800001
Posted: Thu Dec 13 16:02:00 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 27-Dec-84 02:43:35 EST
References: <-12500@ahuta.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard - Fort Collins, CO
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Nf-ID: #R:ahuta:-12500:hpfcma:5800001:37777777600:1193
Nf-From: hpfcma!marc    Dec 19 13:02:00 1984

>      This one starts out with more promise than other recent Heinlein novels
> (NUMBER OF THE BEAST and FRIDAY, in particular), but about halfway through
> Heinlein once again reverts to his stock characters and the novel loses
> steam.

What's wrong with stock characters?  I think Heinlein has been in the
process of perfecting his "stock" characters through the generations of his
work.  Should Mozart have shifted in his prime to dabbling in fusion-jazz?
I think not.

>      Then about three-quarters of the way through, Heinlein does an abrupt
> left turn and the novel becomes something else entirely.  Unfortunately,
> what it becomes is not nearly as interesting as what it was.

I soaked in the "left turn."  It flowed well and yet was unexpected -- two
qualities I find rare in writing.  Perhaps some will be dissapointed because
there are no strange aliens, nor any evil empire.  The book requires some
insight into religion and values -- two things that make many people shy
away from the arts.

Call me illiterate.  Call me old fashioned.  Call me a lover of Heinlein's
works.

			Marc "an unpleasant profession..." McKenzie
			Hewlett-Packard, Co.
			...!hpfcla!hpfcma!marc