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/lit/ - Literature

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18632390 No.18632390 [Reply] [Original]

Compared to the movie that bears its name, the book is a different beast. Whereas the movie is almost a fascist ridicule and comedic take on a grave topic, the book is geared towards actual philosophical and political questions. Such a shame it took me so long to get around to it.

But on the topic of Heinlein's works, have anyone else actually read another of his works? Would you recommend those?

>> No.18632685

Nobody else read any of Heinlein's book? Must not be too big these days then

>> No.18632697

>>18632390
Great book.

I also liked Stranger in a Strange Land, although the last time I read it was 15 years ago.

>> No.18632698

>>18632390
Paul didn't read it. Heinlein is just okay.

>> No.18632778

>>18632697
What joy - to be an almost different person and get to experience the journey you once love again. Rereading is a blessing.

>> No.18632790

>>18632390
I only read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It was entertaining but at the same time very cringey

>> No.18632804

>Whereas the movie is almost a fascist ridicule

Not even.

>> No.18632813

>>18632697
Stranger in a Strange Land is a great idea, but it was so badly executed by Heinlein that it was disappointing as hell.

>> No.18632817

>>18632804
Prove your claim.

I didn't personally find it as such, yet I can easily see how the "normie" might take it as satire of the mid century germans.

>> No.18633178

>>18632390
It's definitely much better than the movie.

>>18632697
Stranger is enjoyable if read as a parody on both American religion and 60s counterculture. It's so ridiculous it's entertaining.

>> No.18633192

>>18632697
I was shocked by how great the hook is in that book. The first 5 pages are great.

>> No.18633202

"Fartship" Troopers

>> No.18633212

>>18632390
I love this book. Absolutely brilliant

>> No.18633219

>>18633178
The funny thing is Manson took pretty direct inspiration for his public persona from Stranger.

>> No.18633311

>>18632390
I read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress in college. I remember it being pretty good, though Heinlein's idea of how to organize an insurgency is ridiculously overcomplicated and would result in absolute chaos.

>> No.18633327

>>18633311
I bought into it purely because there was an AI in charge. Presumably Mike could outthink the whole rest of Luna combined and made it work somehow.

>> No.18633364
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18633364

>>18632390
Why do a lot of people think that Heinlein was a fascist when in reality he was a liberal with a disdain for pacifists

>> No.18633446

>>18633364
Fascism in modern parlance means capitalist societies that use their militaries to do things.

>> No.18633615

>>18633311
To be fair, it did result in an abysmal clusterfuck. The only reason the Loonies weren't annihilated was the arrogance on the Earth authorities causing them to not take the rebellion seriously.

>> No.18633637

>>18632813
Stranger in a Strange land was the worst book I’ve ever read in my entire life. It is the most self-serving, shallow piece of fiction ever written. The plot is nonexistent and Jubal is a mouthpiece of Heinlein’s kindergarten level understanding of 50s-60s critical perspectives on society.

>> No.18633799

>>18633446
They see the militancy and squirm

>> No.18633904

>>18632390
>the movie is almost a fascist ridicule and comedic take
It isn't really, though. Verhoeven's whole career is filled with fascist machismo, thinly hidden from himself and his audience with a layer of satire. But it's only there because he's a European of a certain age and uncomfortable with these tropes. His movies couldn't be the way they are unless he felt the pull. It's like a straight guy directing gay porn, but "satirical" gay porn. Uh-uh.

>> No.18633936

>>18632390
>>18632685
I also enjoyed Stranger in strange land and moon is harsh mistress OP

>> No.18634188
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18634188

For a slightly more obscure choice, check out Podkayne Of Mars. It's really enjoyable. Get the edition that has Heinlein's original ending as an appendix. The original is much better, and it's still powerful even now. If Heinlein's editor hadn't gotten cold feet, Podkayne would have been revolutionary for the time.

>> No.18635220

>>18633799
>>18633446
When you hail peace as the ultimate virtue, then our boys in uniform become amoral. Imagine that, those willing to defend and sacrifice become the enemies of those that stuff their bellies with consumer products. Imagine my shock.