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The Cat Who Walks Through Walls
(The World As Myth #3)
by
When a stranger attempting to deliver a cryptic message is shot dead at his table, Dr. Richard Ames is thrown headfirst into danger, intrigue, and other dimensions, where a plot to rescue a sentient computer could alter human history...
Paperback, 388 pages
Published
June 1st 1988
by Ace Books
(first published November 11th 1985)
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Linda
I just finished it without knowing it was part of a series. I enjoyed it immensely. Now I will look for the others.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
There is a saying that when pizza is good, it is great, and when it’s bad it’s still pretty good. This saying may also apply to RAH titles.
This is not one of his greatest, but not bad either, pretty good. Heinlein's the world as myth concept, imaginative and entertaining is as good as his earlier work, even though this is a product of his later, weirder phase. The return of some older RAH characters is also fun. Books about time travel are always confusing, maybe by default (see Piers Anthony B ...more
This is not one of his greatest, but not bad either, pretty good. Heinlein's the world as myth concept, imaginative and entertaining is as good as his earlier work, even though this is a product of his later, weirder phase. The return of some older RAH characters is also fun. Books about time travel are always confusing, maybe by default (see Piers Anthony B ...more
What I learned from "The Cat Who Walks Through Walls":
1) If a government official refuses to speak with you, just threaten to walk out and he'll change his mind immediately.
2) A fez, not unlike Clark Kent's glasses, makes an impenetrable disguise.
3) Sexism will make a big comeback in the future. Incest, too.
4) Alternate universes and time travel can be used to fill any plot hole.
5) Cutting in line is a death-penalty offense, but murder... meh.
6) Just like in "Field of Dreams," Iowa is teh awesom ...more
1) If a government official refuses to speak with you, just threaten to walk out and he'll change his mind immediately.
2) A fez, not unlike Clark Kent's glasses, makes an impenetrable disguise.
3) Sexism will make a big comeback in the future. Incest, too.
4) Alternate universes and time travel can be used to fill any plot hole.
5) Cutting in line is a death-penalty offense, but murder... meh.
6) Just like in "Field of Dreams," Iowa is teh awesom ...more
This was my very first RAH book...the one that got me hooked. I thought it had a cool cover and was in the discount bin so I had just enough for it. I was 15. I couldn't put it down. Since then, I've read almost everything he has written and have loved every single one!
I haven't read any Heinlein previous to this novel, and I'm somewhat glad, as it gave me an opportunity to evaluate it based on its (lack of) merits as a story, rather than any fanservice appeals to classic Heinlein characters.
The story starts off as a decent sci-fi action romp. The charismatic protagonist is likable in a James Bond sort of vein, his banter with his girlfriend is punchy, his quirks are endearing.
Things start getting weird the moment another female character enters the story. Sud ...more
The story starts off as a decent sci-fi action romp. The charismatic protagonist is likable in a James Bond sort of vein, his banter with his girlfriend is punchy, his quirks are endearing.
Things start getting weird the moment another female character enters the story. Sud ...more
Review from 01:
I am a great lover of the words of Heinlein. But this book has got to be one of his worst. While it has some very interesting quantum physics threads, and some interesting character as aware entity moments, it does not hold together. The relationships of the main character and his children (near the end of the book) are confusing and more explicit than needed/wanted. The 'mysteries' the main character was trying to solve fell apart like wet tissue paper. I was dissapointed that th ...more
I am a great lover of the words of Heinlein. But this book has got to be one of his worst. While it has some very interesting quantum physics threads, and some interesting character as aware entity moments, it does not hold together. The relationships of the main character and his children (near the end of the book) are confusing and more explicit than needed/wanted. The 'mysteries' the main character was trying to solve fell apart like wet tissue paper. I was dissapointed that th ...more
I believe this novel is the last Heinlein in my reading project and I can’t say that distresses me. I realize that this was written late in RAH’s career, after bouts of serious illness. Maybe that had something to do with the quality of these later works. The Cat picks up where Time Enough for Love and The Number of the Beast left off, retreading much of the same territory.
I must say in Cat’s favour that there are far fewer sex scenes, and as a result less incest and pedophilia. There is still a ...more
I must say in Cat’s favour that there are far fewer sex scenes, and as a result less incest and pedophilia. There is still a ...more
WARNING: You must read Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress," "The Rolling Stones," "Time Enough for Love," and "The Number of the Beast" before reading this book. It would also be helpful to have read "Stranger in a Strange Land," and "Friday." Familiarity with Baum's Oz stories and Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars series is recommended. I think that a lot of the negative reviews here stem from people reading the series out of order or just picking this book up independently of the series or any
...more
When I bought this book a couple of weeks ago, I was with two friends, one of whom is a fairly decent sci-fi fan, and the other of whom is a completely nutty sci-fi fan. Both of them started lyricising about how wonderful this book was, how absolutely fantastic, how I definitely had to read it. And, similarly, a week ago, another friend saw the book on our coffee table, and again, this lyrical Heinlein-is-amazing rhapsody was replayed.
Having now read the book myself, I have to confess that I di ...more
Having now read the book myself, I have to confess that I di ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Ok, I'm only partway through, but I'm going to post my thoughts so far.
The first Heinlein book I read was Stranger in a Strange Land, which I found among my mother's book when I was 12. I adored that book, and read it many, many times. However, I'd never really read much other Heinlein.
This book started out great - James Bond style space adventure with witty banter and a clever female sidekick. Despite the sagacity of the girl (actually much older than we initially think), Heinlein has sprinkled ...more
The first Heinlein book I read was Stranger in a Strange Land, which I found among my mother's book when I was 12. I adored that book, and read it many, many times. However, I'd never really read much other Heinlein.
This book started out great - James Bond style space adventure with witty banter and a clever female sidekick. Despite the sagacity of the girl (actually much older than we initially think), Heinlein has sprinkled ...more
Robert Heinlein has always been near the top of my favorite science fiction authors. His stories, projected through lush language and vivid images, have always given me a chance to escape whatever task I'm doing and invite me to "live" in his world for a bit.
THE CAT WHO WALKS THROUGH WALLS is a bit different. Heinlein takes a romance and tries to stuff it between space opera and detective fiction. I can't say that this ménage a trois fails, exactly, but I have a feeling that space opera and det ...more
THE CAT WHO WALKS THROUGH WALLS is a bit different. Heinlein takes a romance and tries to stuff it between space opera and detective fiction. I can't say that this ménage a trois fails, exactly, but I have a feeling that space opera and det ...more
Aug 04, 2009
Peter
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
Heinlein fans
Shelves:
fantasy,
science-fiction
One of Heinlein's last books, and not one of his best. It represents yet another installment in the "World As Myth" theme that he used so often later in life, and therefore includes many characters from his older, better works - including, inevitably, Lazarus Long, who continues his long (pun intended) degeneration from the original interesting protagonist of "Methuselah's Children" into an annoying incest-freak, Heinlein surrogate, self-parody (I suspect), and all-around jerk-who-must-be-worshi
...more
When a messenger is shot dead at the protagonist's table, he is thrown into action which turns out to be interdimensional.
HIghly recommended.
HIghly recommended.
By this time in RAH's long career - well aware that his time was short, I suppose - he wrote for those familiar with his work, therefore, I have reread all of the novels that are referred to in this one (which has an absolutely great cover, by the way), in order to fully appreciate it. They include primarily, "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress", "Time Enough for Love" and "The Number of the Beast" as well as "Stranger in a Strange Land" and "The Rolling Stones".
Besides a few utterly uncomfortable sug ...more
Besides a few utterly uncomfortable sug ...more
This book ended. That is definitely the best part of it. I have enjoyed some of Robert Heinlein's books, but I struggle with his Luna series. This book is part of that series. The story is about Richard Ames who takes his girlfriend Gwen out to dinner. While there someone comes up to the table and tries to hire Richard as an assassin. That man is then killed at the table. When does that little plot point get resolved? Why the next to last page of course! Why resolve it sooner?
Anyway Richard and ...more
Anyway Richard and ...more
At some distant point in time down the road, a fan of mine will stumble onto my goodreads account and read my reviews. This fan will notice that of all of the Heinlein books, only one book was given a five star review. This fan will wonder why.
Unfortunately, when this fan reads this review of the book, he will find himself disappointed as I do not intend to explain why this book is getting the rating I'm giving it. The reason for the fifth star is just too personal.
The Cat Who Walks Through Wall ...more
Unfortunately, when this fan reads this review of the book, he will find himself disappointed as I do not intend to explain why this book is getting the rating I'm giving it. The reason for the fifth star is just too personal.
The Cat Who Walks Through Wall ...more
May 23, 2008
Sara
rated it
liked it
Recommends it for:
People familiar with Robert Heinlein, people willing to accept broadly impossible sci-fi plots
This is kind of two separate books smooshed together. The first half is pretty straight-forward space adventures, and then everything gets weird after that. Not bad, just weird and very separate-feeling from the first half. This is not uncommon with Heinlein, and it didn't ruin the book or anything, but I did kind of feel betrayed that the first half was somewhat meaningless. Also, the ending left me hanging more than I would have liked. I plan on reading the rest of this "series" (having alread
...more
I remember liking this book less when I read it long ago. Robert A. Heinlein's "World As Myth" series doesn't appeal to me and I tend to prefer the older juvenilia and middle novels much more. The thing is, I've become such a fan of his, and particularly of his wonderful characters, that the opportunity to meet most of the characters from most of his novels again was a happy one.
I wouldn't suggest this book for anyone not already a serious Heinlein fan. I imagine it would be pretty much a failur ...more
I wouldn't suggest this book for anyone not already a serious Heinlein fan. I imagine it would be pretty much a failur ...more
Inventive, funny, uncomfortable at times - what was it with Heinlein's "paddle your bottom"/ pubescent girls fetish? - and a little bit hard to remember who is who with all the name changing. In its favour, you would be hard-pressed to call it dull. Plus it was great to catch up with one of my favourite Heinlein characters, Jubal Harshaw. "Front!"
Abandoned 3/4ths of the way through. Life is too short for this shit.
Jan 02, 2018
Tine!
added it
Undecided rating. 5 stars for dialogue. 5 stars for Mike the Computer but Negative 5 for that plot thread never obtaining resolution(??).
Why, why, why? Why am I so stupid? After I finished my last Heinlein book some months ago (can't remember which one, sorry), in my review I said I'd never read another one of his books, I was so disgusted with him as a perverted writer. I mean, he's a De Sade pervert. Dirty old man. And I'm no prude. But I don't want to pick up a decent seeming sci fi book only to find it full of nothing more than gratuitous sex and little else, likely designed to shock and titillate. It's stupid and, frankly, b
...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Jun 02, 2011
Tim
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
fans of Heinlein's works
Shelves:
audiobook,
science-fiction
I've read this book many times, but just finished the audiobook for the first time and as such I've finally decided to review this book.
I love this book. That said, there are other Heinlein books that are better overall. The main problem with this book is that this book can be viewed as two books pushed together. In some sense, it seems like he wrote himself into a corner for the first half and pulled out the second half so he can hand wave the questions that arise in the first half.
So, why I do ...more
I love this book. That said, there are other Heinlein books that are better overall. The main problem with this book is that this book can be viewed as two books pushed together. In some sense, it seems like he wrote himself into a corner for the first half and pulled out the second half so he can hand wave the questions that arise in the first half.
So, why I do ...more
This was not a book. This was 386 pages of setting up for the book and 2 pages of frantically trying to sum things up. As the story really went nowhere for most of the book it was incredibly difficult to read. Heinlein uses the same gambit in every single meeting the main character goes through which I have summed up here: "I must see these people/they say they must see me on matters of huge import but they're being jerks and making me wait. Ok, I'm going to pretend to get offended and start wal
...more
Do you know how the cat can walk through walls? Because he doesn't know he can't. The first 2/3rds of the book played out like a James Bond novel. It was a lot of fun to read and the two main character's dialogue had me laughing out loud. All this takes place 200 hundred years in the future but it didn't feel so futuristic at first. But then starting on page 255 everything changed...no more repartee, no more thrilling chases, no more edge of your seat fight scenes (did finally get to meet that c
...more
The book was disappointing. Long, rambling & full of 'sage' advice from his various father figures, free love, & the promotion of incest. More tying his various universes together, unnecessarily. If you like any of his books originally published after 1970, you might give it a try, but I wouldn't put it high on my list. If you like "To Sail Beyond the Sunset" you'll like this.
This was Heinlein's penultimate novel, and is very interesting in the way it fits in with the rest of his works both philosophically and contextually, though it's not nearly as good a novel on its own as most of his others. He had reached a point in his career where he could stipulate that the book had to appear as he wanted it without editorial interference, and I believe that may have worked against him in this case. The dialog between the married couple is extremely awkward and overly prolong
...more
So, this book was going to be a three-star review, and swerved into 4-star territory at the last minute. This is a characteristically weird and fantastic piece of sci-fi from Heinlein, and I think my major problem with it is that I should have read most of his other work before reading this one. There are apparently a number of recurring characters that this book ties together, and I've never met most of them before.
I'm not sure why, but I was under the impression that this book fell earlier in Heinlein's career. No, instead this is his penultimate book, full of all the thinks he became notorious for: blatant sexism; looser plots; more libertarianism; and much, much more perversity. I mean, I'm no prude, but when the book opens with a woman telling the male narrator that he's stretched her out and made her no good for anyone else, it sets an uncomfortable tone.
The book is peppered with Heinlein's philsophy ...more
The book is peppered with Heinlein's philsophy ...more
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Robert Anson Heinlein was an American novelist and science fiction writer. Often called "the dean of science fiction writers", he is one of the most popular, influential, and controversial authors of "hard science fiction".
He set a high standard for science and engineering plausibility and helped to raise the genre's standards of literary quality. He was the first SF writer to break into mainstre ...more
He set a high standard for science and engineering plausibility and helped to raise the genre's standards of literary quality. He was the first SF writer to break into mainstre ...more
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