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Future History or "Heinlein Timeline" #12
It's Great to Be Back!
Zurück nach Hause!
Seit die McRaes die Erde verlassen haben, weil sie in Luna City arbeiten, kennen sie nur noch einen einzigen Zur Erde zurückzukehren. Die anderen Mondbewohner, die ihre Heimat lieben, verstehen die sich ständig beklagenden McRaes nicht und meiden das unglückliche Ehepaar. Als die schließlich auf die Erde zurückkehren, erleben sie eine Überraschung … Die Kurzgeschichte „Wie schön, wieder zu Hause zu sein!“ erscheint als exklusives E-Book Only bei Heyne und ist zusammen mit weiteren Stories und Romanen von Robert A. Heinlein auch in dem Sammelband „Die Geschichte der Zukunft“ enthalten. Sie umfasst ca. 25 Buchseiten.
Seit die McRaes die Erde verlassen haben, weil sie in Luna City arbeiten, kennen sie nur noch einen einzigen Zur Erde zurückzukehren. Die anderen Mondbewohner, die ihre Heimat lieben, verstehen die sich ständig beklagenden McRaes nicht und meiden das unglückliche Ehepaar. Als die schließlich auf die Erde zurückkehren, erleben sie eine Überraschung … Die Kurzgeschichte „Wie schön, wieder zu Hause zu sein!“ erscheint als exklusives E-Book Only bei Heyne und ist zusammen mit weiteren Stories und Romanen von Robert A. Heinlein auch in dem Sammelband „Die Geschichte der Zukunft“ enthalten. Sie umfasst ca. 25 Buchseiten.
First published July 26, 1947
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188 people want to read
About the author
Robert A. Heinlein
1,057 books10.5k followersRobert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction, and was thus a pioneer of the subgenre of hard science fiction. His published works, both fiction and non-fiction, express admiration for competence and emphasize the value of critical thinking. His plots often posed provocative situations which challenged conventional social mores. His work continues to have an influence on the science-fiction genre, and on modern culture more generally.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 15, 2017
Book #12 out of #21. First published in The Saturday Evening Post in the July 26, 1947. Sadly, Heinlein tells a great story while making the main foil a nagging wife who can't make up her mind. Looking past that, the story is an interesting commentary on what makes a transplant.
June 26, 2021
An excellent short story from the apparently right-wing author of Starship Troopers. Here, the Moon has become inhabited, and human society flourishes within it. Two former Earthlings, however, are keen to return to their former home, and so with less than a backward glance, they relocate to Earth. Only, as they struggle to adjust to the differences in hygiene, physics, and even the "groundhog" society that fosters quite a prejudice against the "lunatics", this husband and wife grow homesick for the Moon.
This is a humorous and very relatable story for anyone who has tried to leave their home, only to find how much they took it all for granted.
This is a humorous and very relatable story for anyone who has tried to leave their home, only to find how much they took it all for granted.
December 21, 2024
La traducción del titulo ¡Qué grande es estar de vuelta!, a partir del original: It's Great to Be Back! me hacía sangrar los ojos cada vez que lo leía.
Ahora me rio, el traductor ese día claramente no tenía ganas de laburar.
¿La historia? unas personas que se dan cuenta que extrañan su hogar, no pidan más. Ah, si, viven en la luna, pero bueno es un detalle casi sin importancia.
Creo que lo que sirve de estas lecturas puede ser la imagen que van formando al unirse todas ellas. En esta en particular vemos quienes son elegidos para vivir en la luna, los calificados y más capaces, pero más allá de estos pequeños detalles las historias por sí solas son muy aburridas.
Ahora me rio, el traductor ese día claramente no tenía ganas de laburar.
¿La historia? unas personas que se dan cuenta que extrañan su hogar, no pidan más. Ah, si, viven en la luna, pero bueno es un detalle casi sin importancia.
Creo que lo que sirve de estas lecturas puede ser la imagen que van formando al unirse todas ellas. En esta en particular vemos quienes son elegidos para vivir en la luna, los calificados y más capaces, pero más allá de estos pequeños detalles las historias por sí solas son muy aburridas.
December 28, 2019
First published in 1947, while the technology depicted here is outdated or simply wrong, the psychology is perfect. After three years on the moon, Allen and Jo are happy to get back to Earth, where they can see blue skies and walk on grass and feel the rain on their faces. But three years can change people and a place, and that’s really the point of this story, although Heinlein was good about trying to capture the details of what a moon colony might resemble. It could have been titled “You Can’t Go Home Again,” but Thomas Wolfe had already grabbed that one in 1940. Recommended.
January 30, 2018
I had 15 minutes to kill and ran into a board that posted this 6-pages story online. The interesting question is whether a total story can be told within 6 pages and have an impactful ending. The answer to the question is surely "yes" based on this story. Excellent build-up to a twist and the story had all the trademarks of early Heinlein, definitely a must-read since it doesn't take up much of your time!
March 11, 2018
Yet another tale of the era, but with a science fiction slant. Just your typical tale of there's no place like home.
Have a GoodReads.
Have a GoodReads.
March 27, 2021
Unique and a bit humorous. Though also rather simple.
June 22, 2023
You have to keep moving to avoid the LCD.
January 27, 2025
#11/¡Qué grande es estar de vuelta! (1947)
Periodo en que está basada: el 2000, principios
Los Sres. McRae, antiguos colonos y profesionales especialistas en la luna, regresan a la tierra movidos, principalmente, por la nostalgia (la lluvia, el aire libre, el cielo azul...),
y por la redacción de un libro basado en las investigaciones del cónyuge llevadas en el planeta durante tres años. A su regreso, el matrimonio comprobará de primera mano, el RACISMO Y AGRAVIO DE LOS SUYOS PROPIOS, MOVIDOS POR EL ESCEPTICISMO Y EL DESCONOCIMIENTO, QUE LOS LLEVA INMEDIATAMENTE AL RECHAZO. Unido a esto, comprobarán los efectos del regreso su planeta nativo (POLUCIÓN, PROBLEMAS DE LA GRAVEDAD, RUIDO, TEMPERATURA Y LAS INSTALACIONES OBSOLETAS CON SUS DEFICIENCIAS.) ...COSA QUE LES HARÁ REPLANTEARSE SU SUBJETIVIDAD IDEALIZADA DE UNA TIERRA, AÚN CAÓTICA Y XENÓFOBA, lo que los conducirá a REENCONTRARSE CON SU VERDADERO HOGAR...
Nos situamos en pleno desarrollo de la fundación Harriman, dotada de profesionales terrícolas y ya alguna generación nacida allí (se nos menciona por primera vez la palabra ‘lunáticos’, que los mismos ciudadanos de Luna city se han puesto como seña de identidad). La luna es ya un planeta totalmente avanzado y próspero, con una ciudad subterránea terminada, unos buenos sistemas de temperatura estable, gravedad, transporte, energía, defensa y acondicionamiento de aire en los túneles así como en las granjas Hidropónicas, que toman anhídrido de aire y lo convierte en oxigeno, que los dota de un vasto cultivo interminable de frutas y verduras (UNO DE LOS CONFLICTOS PRINCIPALES ENTRE TIERRA Y LUNA EN SU POSTERIOR NOVELA: ‘La luna es una cruel amante’)
GRAN HISTORIA DE DENUNCIA SOCIAL TÍPICA DE HEINLEIN (EL SER HUMANO Y SU ESTRECHEZ DE MIRAS), CON EL RACISMO IMPERANTE HACIA LOS MISMOS TERRÍCOLAS POR HABER SIDO COLONOS DE LA LUNA. El RELATO DE UNOS EMIGRANTES QUE ENCUENTRAN EL DESAMPARADO Y EL ALEJAMIENTO SOCIAL DE LOS QUE SE SUPONEN ERAN SUS ANTIGUOS AMIGOS Y CONOCIDOS.
Avances y/ o predicciones tecnológicas:
· Plantas lunares de acondicionamiento de aire, dispuesta para el cultivo (granjas hidropónicas)
· Conservación de Cohetes combustible químico para el viaje luna - tierra con transbordos ('Jockey del espacio')
·Establecimientos de Cohetes con combustible atómico para vuelos espaciales directos
Avances y/ o predicciones sociales:
· Asociación de la comunidad de Luna city
·Desarrollo del proyecto de la fundación Harriman y el gobierno para la investigación cósmica
Periodo en que está basada: el 2000, principios
Los Sres. McRae, antiguos colonos y profesionales especialistas en la luna, regresan a la tierra movidos, principalmente, por la nostalgia (la lluvia, el aire libre, el cielo azul...),
y por la redacción de un libro basado en las investigaciones del cónyuge llevadas en el planeta durante tres años. A su regreso, el matrimonio comprobará de primera mano, el RACISMO Y AGRAVIO DE LOS SUYOS PROPIOS, MOVIDOS POR EL ESCEPTICISMO Y EL DESCONOCIMIENTO, QUE LOS LLEVA INMEDIATAMENTE AL RECHAZO. Unido a esto, comprobarán los efectos del regreso su planeta nativo (POLUCIÓN, PROBLEMAS DE LA GRAVEDAD, RUIDO, TEMPERATURA Y LAS INSTALACIONES OBSOLETAS CON SUS DEFICIENCIAS.) ...COSA QUE LES HARÁ REPLANTEARSE SU SUBJETIVIDAD IDEALIZADA DE UNA TIERRA, AÚN CAÓTICA Y XENÓFOBA, lo que los conducirá a REENCONTRARSE CON SU VERDADERO HOGAR...
Nos situamos en pleno desarrollo de la fundación Harriman, dotada de profesionales terrícolas y ya alguna generación nacida allí (se nos menciona por primera vez la palabra ‘lunáticos’, que los mismos ciudadanos de Luna city se han puesto como seña de identidad). La luna es ya un planeta totalmente avanzado y próspero, con una ciudad subterránea terminada, unos buenos sistemas de temperatura estable, gravedad, transporte, energía, defensa y acondicionamiento de aire en los túneles así como en las granjas Hidropónicas, que toman anhídrido de aire y lo convierte en oxigeno, que los dota de un vasto cultivo interminable de frutas y verduras (UNO DE LOS CONFLICTOS PRINCIPALES ENTRE TIERRA Y LUNA EN SU POSTERIOR NOVELA: ‘La luna es una cruel amante’)
GRAN HISTORIA DE DENUNCIA SOCIAL TÍPICA DE HEINLEIN (EL SER HUMANO Y SU ESTRECHEZ DE MIRAS), CON EL RACISMO IMPERANTE HACIA LOS MISMOS TERRÍCOLAS POR HABER SIDO COLONOS DE LA LUNA. El RELATO DE UNOS EMIGRANTES QUE ENCUENTRAN EL DESAMPARADO Y EL ALEJAMIENTO SOCIAL DE LOS QUE SE SUPONEN ERAN SUS ANTIGUOS AMIGOS Y CONOCIDOS.
Avances y/ o predicciones tecnológicas:
· Plantas lunares de acondicionamiento de aire, dispuesta para el cultivo (granjas hidropónicas)
· Conservación de Cohetes combustible químico para el viaje luna - tierra con transbordos ('Jockey del espacio')
·Establecimientos de Cohetes con combustible atómico para vuelos espaciales directos
Avances y/ o predicciones sociales:
· Asociación de la comunidad de Luna city
·Desarrollo del proyecto de la fundación Harriman y el gobierno para la investigación cósmica
September 22, 2016
“It’s Great to be Back!” by Robert A. Heinlein is a nice short story. While it’s not overly long or a truly unique story, it does a fantastic job adapting the idea to space travel. The story revolves around a couple returning from the moon and seeing what they find when they return, focusing on the differences and the changes between the Earth and Moon to inhabitants.
It’s a relatively simple premise, that works perfectly, and while the resolution is a touch obvious even from my description, the delivery and story is compelling enough. I’d talk more about it, but I’m worried I’ve already spilled to much about it. I’d highly recommend any sci fi fan to read it for an interesting idea of what lunar life could be like.
It’s a relatively simple premise, that works perfectly, and while the resolution is a touch obvious even from my description, the delivery and story is compelling enough. I’d talk more about it, but I’m worried I’ve already spilled to much about it. I’d highly recommend any sci fi fan to read it for an interesting idea of what lunar life could be like.
October 29, 2019
The exception to the rule: "even bad Heinlein is still pretty good". This one was boringly predictable, annoying and short but not short enough.
Did I mention annoying? It was the universal portrayal of small-towners as ignorant hicks. Now, I'm not an unthinking partisan; I just recognize the innate superiority of those who live out in the country and in the little burgs. We are not discriminatory stereotypists, unlike the prejudicial bigots who are the sole occupants of the clogged up population centers.
Did I mention annoying? It was the universal portrayal of small-towners as ignorant hicks. Now, I'm not an unthinking partisan; I just recognize the innate superiority of those who live out in the country and in the little burgs. We are not discriminatory stereotypists, unlike the prejudicial bigots who are the sole occupants of the clogged up population centers.
December 8, 2016
the moon dust is always greener
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews