Book Review: The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein
In 2075, the moon is used as a penal colony, controlled by the Earth-based Lunar Authority. However, the residents of Luna (known as “Loonies”), have grown tired of slaving for the Authority. They have become restive…and a revolution is brewing.
Computer technician Manuel Garcia O’Kelly has developed a friendship with Luna’s central computer. Nicknaming the computer Mycroft—“Mike” for short—Mannie is surprised to find that the computer has been learning human tendencies such as humor, subterfuge…and conspiracy.
Meanwhile, a protest meeting gathers. After his shift ends, Mannie decides to attend the meeting, during which he meets the lovely and outspoken agitator Wyoming Knott (call her Wyoh, call her Wye, but never call her Why Not).
During the meeting, Wyoh speaks her mind about the raw deals dealt to the farmers and laborers on Luna. The Loonies begin to rally behind her—until the Lunar Authority police disrupt the meeting, resulting in a violent and bloody riot.
Mannie and Wyoh escape to a hotel room where they are later joined by the elder scholar, Professor Bernardo de la Paz, who Mannie simply dubs “Prof”. Assisted by “Mike”, the three begin to hatch a plan for revolution.
As time progresses, another violent uprising against the Authority leaves Luna’s warden in a vegetative state. Lunar Authority police are all but completely eliminated by the Loonies. Some of the police are executed for crimes of murder and rape.
Eventually, Mannie and the Prof venture to Earth to negotiate for the independence of Luna and recognition as a free state. Life on the moon renders them incapable of coping with Earth’s gravity, leaving the Prof bedridden and Mannie wheelchair bound throughout their visit. When the negotiations fail and the Federated Nations of Earth plot to have Luna’s ambassadors assassinated, Mannie and the Prof are smuggled off Earth and catapulted back to the moon where they receive a hero’s welcome.
In his advanced years, the Prof barely survives the journey, but survive he does as Luna and Earth prepare for war. With its limited resources, will the Loonies be able to defeat the overwhelming forces of the Lunar Authority and gain their independence? If so, what will be the cost of freedom?
Heinlein’s Hugo-award winning novel is told in the first-person POV of Mannie. While I thoroughly enjoyed the character’s voice and attitude, his outlook on life, his family interactions, and his participation as an officer in the revolution, there were several parts of the story that were told to the reader instead of shown simply because of the chosen POV. Mannie cannot be everywhere at once, so he sometimes imparts to the reader what he learns as if writing in a journal, or speaks of events that happened to other characters, after the fact. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is also not known for generous portions of white space as most of the chapters, while short, consist of seemingly interminable paragraphs of description.
I did not necessarily mind this, knowing full well that this novel was written in 1966, a time when storytelling styles were much different than what we find in contemporary novels. As a fan of SF’s Golden Age, I’ve become accustomed to it. As a writer, the style differences leap out at me.
All told, I recommend The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Heinlein’s characters are unique, their story is engaging, and while the plot is sluggish at times, the characters more than make up for it. Heinlein’s world building is exceptionally detailed and believable.
Computer technician Manuel Garcia O’Kelly has developed a friendship with Luna’s central computer. Nicknaming the computer Mycroft—“Mike” for short—Mannie is surprised to find that the computer has been learning human tendencies such as humor, subterfuge…and conspiracy.
Meanwhile, a protest meeting gathers. After his shift ends, Mannie decides to attend the meeting, during which he meets the lovely and outspoken agitator Wyoming Knott (call her Wyoh, call her Wye, but never call her Why Not).
During the meeting, Wyoh speaks her mind about the raw deals dealt to the farmers and laborers on Luna. The Loonies begin to rally behind her—until the Lunar Authority police disrupt the meeting, resulting in a violent and bloody riot.
Mannie and Wyoh escape to a hotel room where they are later joined by the elder scholar, Professor Bernardo de la Paz, who Mannie simply dubs “Prof”. Assisted by “Mike”, the three begin to hatch a plan for revolution.
As time progresses, another violent uprising against the Authority leaves Luna’s warden in a vegetative state. Lunar Authority police are all but completely eliminated by the Loonies. Some of the police are executed for crimes of murder and rape.
Eventually, Mannie and the Prof venture to Earth to negotiate for the independence of Luna and recognition as a free state. Life on the moon renders them incapable of coping with Earth’s gravity, leaving the Prof bedridden and Mannie wheelchair bound throughout their visit. When the negotiations fail and the Federated Nations of Earth plot to have Luna’s ambassadors assassinated, Mannie and the Prof are smuggled off Earth and catapulted back to the moon where they receive a hero’s welcome.
In his advanced years, the Prof barely survives the journey, but survive he does as Luna and Earth prepare for war. With its limited resources, will the Loonies be able to defeat the overwhelming forces of the Lunar Authority and gain their independence? If so, what will be the cost of freedom?
Heinlein’s Hugo-award winning novel is told in the first-person POV of Mannie. While I thoroughly enjoyed the character’s voice and attitude, his outlook on life, his family interactions, and his participation as an officer in the revolution, there were several parts of the story that were told to the reader instead of shown simply because of the chosen POV. Mannie cannot be everywhere at once, so he sometimes imparts to the reader what he learns as if writing in a journal, or speaks of events that happened to other characters, after the fact. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is also not known for generous portions of white space as most of the chapters, while short, consist of seemingly interminable paragraphs of description.
I did not necessarily mind this, knowing full well that this novel was written in 1966, a time when storytelling styles were much different than what we find in contemporary novels. As a fan of SF’s Golden Age, I’ve become accustomed to it. As a writer, the style differences leap out at me.
All told, I recommend The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. Heinlein’s characters are unique, their story is engaging, and while the plot is sluggish at times, the characters more than make up for it. Heinlein’s world building is exceptionally detailed and believable.
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