Staff Book Review

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein

A friend of mine recommended this piece of work to me and I am so glad to have read it. Heinlein truly is a genius when it comes to creating a believable fictional culture such as that on the Moon colony.

When you read the first few pages, you may begin to wonder why this book was published in the first place since it seems to have so many grammatical errors. But you find out later that the narrator is a Loonie (born and raised on the Moon, referred to as "Luna") and that the numerous fragment sentences are nothing more than Loonie dialect. If you are a big grammar person and are bothered by excessive grammar errors, you will find relief when Heinlein introduces the Earthlings who speak "proper" and modern English.

In The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, the Loonies are unhappy with the poor treatment they are receiving from Earth. They wish to become an actual "state" rather than a colony and so a small group forms their own revolutionary coalition. Heinlein does a terrific job explaining how a "proper" revolution is to be run. Although I couldn't always follow, the "rules" and tactics used in successfully creating an effective underground political/revolutionary group are expertly illustrated with superb intelligence.

The book is also funny. Like Hal in 2001: A Space Odyssey, one of Heinlein's characters is an advanced computer nicknamed "Mike". From the beginning of the book, the narrator describes his attempts to teach Mike how to create and tell jokes. The reader is able to reflect upon what we as human beings consider humorous and why. As the story goes on, you notice Mike's growth and development into resembling an actual person. Heinlein's writing is so solid and fluid that it feels natural, not rushed.

Perhaps one of the strangest books I've read, The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress is also one of most original and intelligent. Heinlein KNOWS about what he's writing. I look forward to reading more of his work in the very near future.

RATING: 4 / 5 STARS

Book Review by Colin Lenehan at Cranesbill Books

Do You Love Books?

Readers of all ages are invited to share a book review with the community by submitting it to Cranesbill Books. Visit our Community Book Review page to learn more.