From: "G. D. Akin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: Killer Bs Discussion <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Which Heinlein Book Should You Have Been A Character In? Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 15:49:29 +0900
Jim Sharkey wrote:
> I got Time Enough for Love also. What's it about? I'm afraid my Heinlein
exposure has been minimal.
----------------------------------------------------
And you call yourself a Science Fiction reader ;-)
Ha! The list of authors *I* haven't read is at least as long as my arm. :)
Time Enough for Love follows the exploits of 2000-year old Lazarus Long,
first introduced in Methusela's Children. The book opens with Lazarus
wanting to die, an not really being allowed to by his descendant's. They
are violating the rights of a family of long-lived people. The reason being
is they want his "wisdom." Seems the human race is going to hell in a
handbasket (again) and they think what he's learned over his life time will
help those who intend to escape the downfall (which doesn't necessarily
happen). Lazarus and one of his descendants, Ira, reach and agreement.
Lazarus will tell his story while Ira looks for something "new" for Lazarus
to do; seems he thinks he's about done it all in his 2000 years.
The book then flips back and forth between Lazarus telling stories and the present day (in the book). Eventually they find something new and the latter third of the book or so is him actually doing it as well as setting up a new planet.
All accurate, except I think Lazarus was 4000+ years old. Well, I'm pretty sure he was , anyway. My wife reorganized the shelves while I was in Baltimore recently and now I can't find anything. On the up side, precariously-stacked paperbacks aren't falling off the shelves anymore. :)
Now that I think about it, this book may have began as a series of short stories. Heinlein ties them together seamlessly into a very captivating narrative... although there's an ongoing 'taboo' theme that culminates in a *very* odd ending.
I'm a big Heinlein fan and this book is probably my favorite novel.
I am too. Tied for me with Starship Troopers, and The Man Who Sold The Moon.
I'm a big fan of authors who create universes and then continuity in unexpected places. Asimov and Heinlein were very good at it. Frex, there's a short story in TMWSTM about a Doctor Pinero, who has discovered a foolproof way to predict when someone who is going to die. Lazarus mentions an amusing visit to Pinero in Methuselah's Children.
Jon
Le Blog: http://zarq.livejournal.com
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