What do you think?
Rate this book
Citizen of the Galaxy
In a distant galaxy, the atrocity of slavery was alive and well, and young Thorby was just another orphaned boy sold at auction. But his new owner, Baslim, is not the disabled beggar he appears to be: adopting Thorby as his son, he fights relentlessly as an abolitionist spy. When the authorities close in on Baslim, Thorby must ride with the Free Traders — a league of merchant princes — throughout the many worlds of a hostile galaxy, finding the courage to live by his wits and fight his way from society's lowest rung. But Thorby's destiny will be forever changed when he discovers the truth about his own identity...
282 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1957
About the author
Robert A. Heinlein
792 books9,101 followersWorks of American science-fiction writer Robert Anson Heinlein include
Stranger in a Strange Land
(1961) and
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
(1966).
People often call this novelist "the dean of science fiction writers", 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 standards of literary quality of the genre. He was the first science-fiction writer to break into mainstream, general magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, in the late 1940s. He was also among the first authors of bestselling, novel-length science fiction in the modern, mass-market era.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
People often call this novelist "the dean of science fiction writers", 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 standards of literary quality of the genre. He was the first science-fiction writer to break into mainstream, general magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, in the late 1940s. He was also among the first authors of bestselling, novel-length science fiction in the modern, mass-market era.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 717 reviews
July 22, 2020
Citizen of the Galaxy (Heinlein's Juveniles #11), Robert A. Heinlein
Thorby is a young, defiant slave boy recently arrived at the slave auction at planet Jubbul's capital Jubbulpore, where he is purchased by an old beggar, Baslim the Cripple, for a trivial sum and taken to the beggar's surprisingly well-furnished underground home.
Thereafter Baslim treats the boy as a son, teaching him not only the trade of begging, but also mathematics, history, and several languages, while sending Thorby on errands all over the city, carefully passing along information and keeping track of the comings and goings of starships.
Thorby slowly realizes that his foster father is not a simple beggar but is gathering intelligence, particularly on the slave trade. In addition, Baslim has Thorby memorize a contingency plan and a message to deliver to one of five starship captains in the event of Baslim's arrest or death.
When Baslim is captured by the local authorities and commits suicide, Thorby and local innkeeper 'Mother Shaum' convey the message to Captain Krausa of the starship Sisu.
Because the 'Free Trader' society to whom Krausa belongs owes a debt to Baslim for the rescue of one of their crews from a slave trader, the captain takes Thorby aboard the Sisu at great risk to himself and his clan. One of the my all-time favorite since-fiction novels.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: سال 1970 میلادی
عنوان: ساکنان کهکشان: نویسنده: راب‍رت انسن ه‍ای‍ن لای‍ن؛ مت‍رج‍م: م‍ح‍م‍ود م‍ص‍اح‍ب؛ تهران، معرفت - فرانکلین، 1339، 360ص؛ چاپ دیگر تهران، انتشارات علمی فرهنگی، 1395؛ در 378ص؛ شابک 9786004360951؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان آمریکایی - سده 20م
در کتاب «ساکنان کهکشان»، «ثوربی» کودکی برده است، که در پایتخت امپراتوری «سارگن»، ملقب به «نه جهان» به حراج گذاشته شده است، پیرمرد گدایی به نام «باسلیم»، او را می‌خرد، و در کنار گدایی، کمر همت به آموزش او می‌بندد.؛ آموزش‌هایی که از دانش یک گدای معمولی، خیلی فراتر هستند.؛ «ثوربی» بزرگ می‌شود، و «باسلیم» او را آزاد می‌کند، و به او ماموریتهایی می‌دهد.؛ روزی ماموران گارد «سارگن» به زاغه ی آنها می‌ریزند، و «باسلیم» پیش از دستگیر شدن با سم خود را می‌کشد.؛ به زودی مشخص می‌شود، که «باسلیم» جاسوس مدار «فائقهٔ ارضی (حکومت زمین)» در «نه جهان» بوده است.؛ این داستان نیز همانند بسیاری دیگر از آثار «هاین‌لاین»، شیفتگی نویسنده نسبت به نظامی‌گری، و اهمیتی که برای نقش زنان در جامعه قائل است در این کتاب خود را به خو��ی نشان می‌دهد.؛ ...؛ «هاین‌لاین» خود در جوانی، در نیروی دریایی ایالات متحده آمریکا خدمت می‌کرد، اما به دلایل پزشکی مجبور به ترک خدمت شد، اما تا آخر عمر به آن دلبستگی داشت.؛
جلوهٔ ی این دلبستگی‌ها را، می‌توان در بسیاری از آثار او و به طور شاخص در «جنگاوران اخترناو» یافت.؛ تم کلی حاکم بر داستانهای «هاین‌لاین» اجتماعی است، هم‌چنین داستانهای او شامل مواردی از جمله: «فردگرایی»، «آزادی خواهی»، «مذهب»، «ارتباط بین عشق جسمی و ذهنی»، و «روابط حاکم بر خانواده های غیررسمی» می‌شدند؛ نگاه و رویکرد سنت شکن او، که باعث به وجود آمدن این مفاهیم شده بود، به طور گسترده ای در آثار ایشان قابل مشاهده است.؛ «هاین‌لاین» همواره نامی میان «آسیموف» و «آرتور سی کلارک» بودند، که به ادعای برخی، این سه، بزرگان علمی-تخیلی نویس را، در دوره ی طلایی این کتاب‌ها تشکیل داده بودند.؛ ایشان باورها و مواردی را به همراه علمی-تخیلی وارد دنیای نویسندگی کردند، که این هنر را بسیار زیباتر از گذشته کرد.؛ نخستین کسی بودند که علمی-تخیلی را با سود بردن از دانش خود در زمینه ی مهندسی، به شکوفایی رساندند؛ ایشان اکتشاف در فضا را، از یک رویا به حد یک امکان رساندند، و جنگ سرد را پیش از رخدادن آن پیش بینی کردند.؛ داستانهای ایشان در روزنامه ها چاپ می‌شدند، و همگان امکان دسترسی به نوشته های ایشان را داشتند
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 31/04/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
Thorby is a young, defiant slave boy recently arrived at the slave auction at planet Jubbul's capital Jubbulpore, where he is purchased by an old beggar, Baslim the Cripple, for a trivial sum and taken to the beggar's surprisingly well-furnished underground home.
Thereafter Baslim treats the boy as a son, teaching him not only the trade of begging, but also mathematics, history, and several languages, while sending Thorby on errands all over the city, carefully passing along information and keeping track of the comings and goings of starships.
Thorby slowly realizes that his foster father is not a simple beggar but is gathering intelligence, particularly on the slave trade. In addition, Baslim has Thorby memorize a contingency plan and a message to deliver to one of five starship captains in the event of Baslim's arrest or death.
When Baslim is captured by the local authorities and commits suicide, Thorby and local innkeeper 'Mother Shaum' convey the message to Captain Krausa of the starship Sisu.
Because the 'Free Trader' society to whom Krausa belongs owes a debt to Baslim for the rescue of one of their crews from a slave trader, the captain takes Thorby aboard the Sisu at great risk to himself and his clan. One of the my all-time favorite since-fiction novels.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: سال 1970 میلادی
عنوان: ساکنان کهکشان: نویسنده: راب‍رت انسن ه‍ای‍ن لای‍ن؛ مت‍رج‍م: م‍ح‍م‍ود م‍ص‍اح‍ب؛ تهران، معرفت - فرانکلین، 1339، 360ص؛ چاپ دیگر تهران، انتشارات علمی فرهنگی، 1395؛ در 378ص؛ شابک 9786004360951؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان آمریکایی - سده 20م
در کتاب «ساکنان کهکشان»، «ثوربی» کودکی برده است، که در پایتخت امپراتوری «سارگن»، ملقب به «نه جهان» به حراج گذاشته شده است، پیرمرد گدایی به نام «باسلیم»، او را می‌خرد، و در کنار گدایی، کمر همت به آموزش او می‌بندد.؛ آموزش‌هایی که از دانش یک گدای معمولی، خیلی فراتر هستند.؛ «ثوربی» بزرگ می‌شود، و «باسلیم» او را آزاد می‌کند، و به او ماموریتهایی می‌دهد.؛ روزی ماموران گارد «سارگن» به زاغه ی آنها می‌ریزند، و «باسلیم» پیش از دستگیر شدن با سم خود را می‌کشد.؛ به زودی مشخص می‌شود، که «باسلیم» جاسوس مدار «فائقهٔ ارضی (حکومت زمین)» در «نه جهان» بوده است.؛ این داستان نیز همانند بسیاری دیگر از آثار «هاین‌لاین»، شیفتگی نویسنده نسبت به نظامی‌گری، و اهمیتی که برای نقش زنان در جامعه قائل است در این کتاب خود را به خو��ی نشان می‌دهد.؛ ...؛ «هاین‌لاین» خود در جوانی، در نیروی دریایی ایالات متحده آمریکا خدمت می‌کرد، اما به دلایل پزشکی مجبور به ترک خدمت شد، اما تا آخر عمر به آن دلبستگی داشت.؛
جلوهٔ ی این دلبستگی‌ها را، می‌توان در بسیاری از آثار او و به طور شاخص در «جنگاوران اخترناو» یافت.؛ تم کلی حاکم بر داستانهای «هاین‌لاین» اجتماعی است، هم‌چنین داستانهای او شامل مواردی از جمله: «فردگرایی»، «آزادی خواهی»، «مذهب»، «ارتباط بین عشق جسمی و ذهنی»، و «روابط حاکم بر خانواده های غیررسمی» می‌شدند؛ نگاه و رویکرد سنت شکن او، که باعث به وجود آمدن این مفاهیم شده بود، به طور گسترده ای در آثار ایشان قابل مشاهده است.؛ «هاین‌لاین» همواره نامی میان «آسیموف» و «آرتور سی کلارک» بودند، که به ادعای برخی، این سه، بزرگان علمی-تخیلی نویس را، در دوره ی طلایی این کتاب‌ها تشکیل داده بودند.؛ ایشان باورها و مواردی را به همراه علمی-تخیلی وارد دنیای نویسندگی کردند، که این هنر را بسیار زیباتر از گذشته کرد.؛ نخستین کسی بودند که علمی-تخیلی را با سود بردن از دانش خود در زمینه ی مهندسی، به شکوفایی رساندند؛ ایشان اکتشاف در فضا را، از یک رویا به حد یک امکان رساندند، و جنگ سرد را پیش از رخدادن آن پیش بینی کردند.؛ داستانهای ایشان در روزنامه ها چاپ می‌شدند، و همگان امکان دسترسی به نوشته های ایشان را داشتند
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 31/04/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
July 23, 2016
Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert A, Heinlein was first published in 1957 and is generally considered one of his juvenile novels as Scribner’s published it.
An astute reader of Heinlein, though, may consider that this was published just a year before Have Space Suit—Will Travel, the last of the Scribner’s juveniles, in the same year as The Door Into Summer and only four years before Stranger in a Strange Land, so his transition from the more typical pure science bildungsroman of his earlier works and a more mature, serious work of the sixties had begun.
Without a doubt, Heinlein reached his zenith in the sixties with The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Stranger in a Strange Land and Starship Troopers (actually published in 1959). Citizen of the Galaxy could be seen as an early embarkation towards these classics.
Telling the tale of Thorby and his journeys as a slave, a beggar, a trader, a soldier and finally as a tycoon, Heinlein uses the tale as a vehicle to explore many futuristic ideas still grounded in everyday life. Heinlein succeeds as he has in so many of his works, by creating an entertaining story while at the same time using the science fiction as an allegory to describe his libertarian ideals about a great many subjects such as family relationships and dynamics, freedom, work ethics, and loyalty.
Slavery is a central subject of the novel and Heinlein spends his time well with some provocative dialogue. At the end of the day, Heinlein is a great writer simply because he tells a good story. Give him that he provokes thought from his reader and that the story works well on more than one level, and Heinlein has once again delivered a good read.
An astute reader of Heinlein, though, may consider that this was published just a year before Have Space Suit—Will Travel, the last of the Scribner’s juveniles, in the same year as The Door Into Summer and only four years before Stranger in a Strange Land, so his transition from the more typical pure science bildungsroman of his earlier works and a more mature, serious work of the sixties had begun.
Without a doubt, Heinlein reached his zenith in the sixties with The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Stranger in a Strange Land and Starship Troopers (actually published in 1959). Citizen of the Galaxy could be seen as an early embarkation towards these classics.
Telling the tale of Thorby and his journeys as a slave, a beggar, a trader, a soldier and finally as a tycoon, Heinlein uses the tale as a vehicle to explore many futuristic ideas still grounded in everyday life. Heinlein succeeds as he has in so many of his works, by creating an entertaining story while at the same time using the science fiction as an allegory to describe his libertarian ideals about a great many subjects such as family relationships and dynamics, freedom, work ethics, and loyalty.
Slavery is a central subject of the novel and Heinlein spends his time well with some provocative dialogue. At the end of the day, Heinlein is a great writer simply because he tells a good story. Give him that he provokes thought from his reader and that the story works well on more than one level, and Heinlein has once again delivered a good read.
July 13, 2008
Some of my all-time favorite sci-fi novels were written by Robert Heinlein. Some of the worst, stupidest, most incoherent, hipper-than-thou sci-fi novels were also written by Robert Heinlein. So every time I check out a Heinlein from the library, it is with great trepidation.
I am happy to say that Citizen of the Galaxy is one of the first category – a good Heinlein. It is creative, likeable, possibly even inspiring. The hero, Thorby, is one of his better characters. A lot of things happen to him, but he manages to walk the fine line between comic book superhero and passive victim, while escaping the kind of brash obnoxiousness that sometimes afflicts Heinlein heros. The minor characters are fairly well done too.
When Heinlein really gets it right, he is one of the best writers I know at creating fascinating settings, cultures, and societies. This is true in Citizen of the Galaxy. Like many of his novels, there's a political bent to the ending of the book, but he doesn't draw it out too much, and ends the book quickly but satisfyingly. I have no idea how he does it, but he even manages to make stock transactions fairly interesting.
The plot is pretty coherent with a nice arc to it. It does get a little uneven in places, devoting too much time to details and skipping too quickly over large sections of events the author is less interested in, but which could have been instrumental in really capturing the reader. Again, rambling plots and unevenness of pacing are some of Heinlein's biggest flaws when he's at his worst, but he manages to hold it together here.
I wouldn't rate this as high as my all-time fav Heinlein, The Door into Summer , but it's pretty near my second, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress . I recommend it, even for non-Heinlein-fans.
I am happy to say that Citizen of the Galaxy is one of the first category – a good Heinlein. It is creative, likeable, possibly even inspiring. The hero, Thorby, is one of his better characters. A lot of things happen to him, but he manages to walk the fine line between comic book superhero and passive victim, while escaping the kind of brash obnoxiousness that sometimes afflicts Heinlein heros. The minor characters are fairly well done too.
When Heinlein really gets it right, he is one of the best writers I know at creating fascinating settings, cultures, and societies. This is true in Citizen of the Galaxy. Like many of his novels, there's a political bent to the ending of the book, but he doesn't draw it out too much, and ends the book quickly but satisfyingly. I have no idea how he does it, but he even manages to make stock transactions fairly interesting.
The plot is pretty coherent with a nice arc to it. It does get a little uneven in places, devoting too much time to details and skipping too quickly over large sections of events the author is less interested in, but which could have been instrumental in really capturing the reader. Again, rambling plots and unevenness of pacing are some of Heinlein's biggest flaws when he's at his worst, but he manages to hold it together here.
I wouldn't rate this as high as my all-time fav Heinlein, The Door into Summer , but it's pretty near my second, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress . I recommend it, even for non-Heinlein-fans.
July 13, 2016
Somehow I had managed (over the decades) to miss this Heinlein novel. It like so many others is in many ways a masterpiece. We begin with a young boy who's a slave. His memories of who or what he was before his slavery are essentially nil. On the block he still shows some spirit, enough to get him cuffed.
But he doesn't sell. Being young, small and scrawny no one seems willing to put in the time and money it would take to train him up into a useful slave... No one buys him that is until a local beggar buys him.
We will follow this "person" through the years and as we do we'll find an interesting story concerning the Galaxy and the humans therein.
This is considered (by most anyway) to be one of Heinlein's youth or teen books. However the subject matter and the story telling are on an adult level and I don't think any science fiction fan who tries this one will be disappointed.
So, I've said what I have to say. I like it, I recommend it, enjoy.
But he doesn't sell. Being young, small and scrawny no one seems willing to put in the time and money it would take to train him up into a useful slave... No one buys him that is until a local beggar buys him.
We will follow this "person" through the years and as we do we'll find an interesting story concerning the Galaxy and the humans therein.
This is considered (by most anyway) to be one of Heinlein's youth or teen books. However the subject matter and the story telling are on an adult level and I don't think any science fiction fan who tries this one will be disappointed.
So, I've said what I have to say. I like it, I recommend it, enjoy.
October 24, 2018
"No puedes ver un pensamiento, no puedes medirlo, ni pesarlo, ni saborearlo... pero los pensamientos son las cosas más reales en la galaxia"
Esta es la segunda novela juvenil que leo de Heinlein depués de El granjero de las estrellas. En conclusión, no me parece que es lo mejor que he leído del autor pero llega a ser entretenida al fin y al cabo. Es difícil superar la valla después de la obra maestra La luna es una cruel amante, de Estrella doble o Starship Troopers.
El tema principal en "Ciudadano de la galaxia" es la esclavitud y, como es de su estilo, no se queda corto en plasmar sus ideas sobre el tema a través de sus personajes.
A seguir con Heinlein. ¡Todavía queda muchísimo!
Esta es la segunda novela juvenil que leo de Heinlein depués de El granjero de las estrellas. En conclusión, no me parece que es lo mejor que he leído del autor pero llega a ser entretenida al fin y al cabo. Es difícil superar la valla después de la obra maestra La luna es una cruel amante, de Estrella doble o Starship Troopers.
El tema principal en "Ciudadano de la galaxia" es la esclavitud y, como es de su estilo, no se queda corto en plasmar sus ideas sobre el tema a través de sus personajes.
A seguir con Heinlein. ¡Todavía queda muchísimo!
April 27, 2020
I haven't gotten to read anything by Heinlein before - and as far as first experiences go, it's not bad at all. It flows well and has a bunch of curious scifi settings and cultures, and raises questions about freedom and what it really means, and that perhaps no one is really free. Also, slavery is bad.
That said, I feel like there was a bit of a missed opportunity with Thorby's heritage. I thought the book was going to go with the route of making him a nobody all along, which would have prompted him to rise up on his own terms, but instead it ended up giving him a lift towards the end. Still good, though.
That said, I feel like there was a bit of a missed opportunity with Thorby's heritage. I thought the book was going to go with the route of making him a nobody all along, which would have prompted him to rise up on his own terms, but instead it ended up giving him a lift towards the end. Still good, though.
June 11, 2018
A rags to riches story that takes us across a good fraction of the universe & into several cultures. It's full of adventure & interesting characters. I really liked the description of the life of The People, 'free' spacers who travel the universe trading & willingly give up their individual freedom in a totalitarian society far more stringent than anything save perhaps Orwell's world of 1984 yet they're seemingly happy & well adjusted. It's one of RAH's juveniles, one of the best of a good bunch. Highly recommended in any format.
March 3, 2015
This book was incredibly jarring. I felt like Robert Heinlein had a good idea...then he had another one...then he had another one. And since he liked all three of them, he decided "What the Hell!" and combined them. The book features a boy named Thorby. At the beginning of the book, he is sold as a slave to a beggar man. The beggar man (surprise) turns out to be more then he appears. He trains up Thorby and turns him into a super smart and clever beggar.
Then he is murdered. We don't know why. I'm serious. I finished the book and I don't know why he died. During the book they make it sound like it was part of a conspiracy, but then they just never get around to explaining what that is. Doesn't matter, Thorby stows away on a ship and part 2 of the book has begun!
Now he becomes one of the "People". Yes, that is their name. They are so busy being superior to everyone that no one ever realizes that they aren't very creative. They're amazed that Thorby is so smart and now he quickly moves up the ranks. However, the captain of the vessel feels guilty because Thorby is obviously destined for greatness. So he turns him over to the inter-galatic army. They discover that Thorby is a long lost heir from Earth and off we go to part 3!
After a lot of conspiracy and complicated jargon, Thorby discovers that part of his new empire is...wait for it...seriously...running the slave trade! How ironic. Thorby vows to clean it up and the book ends.
When I finished the last page, I literally checked to make sure that some of the book hadn't accidentally gotten cut out. I couldn't believe it was such a weird ending.
Also, Thorby had no sexual interest in women. People kept trying to match make him up to girls and he kept getting uncomfortable. Not because he was gay, but because he kept acting like he was six. I just thought that was an odd trait. You'd think he'd at least have been interested in sex, but nothing.
However, it was an easy read and everyone ended up happy, except the bad guys, but they're not supposed to. So I guess I'll give it two stars.
Then he is murdered. We don't know why. I'm serious. I finished the book and I don't know why he died. During the book they make it sound like it was part of a conspiracy, but then they just never get around to explaining what that is. Doesn't matter, Thorby stows away on a ship and part 2 of the book has begun!
Now he becomes one of the "People". Yes, that is their name. They are so busy being superior to everyone that no one ever realizes that they aren't very creative. They're amazed that Thorby is so smart and now he quickly moves up the ranks. However, the captain of the vessel feels guilty because Thorby is obviously destined for greatness. So he turns him over to the inter-galatic army. They discover that Thorby is a long lost heir from Earth and off we go to part 3!
After a lot of conspiracy and complicated jargon, Thorby discovers that part of his new empire is...wait for it...seriously...running the slave trade! How ironic. Thorby vows to clean it up and the book ends.
When I finished the last page, I literally checked to make sure that some of the book hadn't accidentally gotten cut out. I couldn't believe it was such a weird ending.
Also, Thorby had no sexual interest in women. People kept trying to match make him up to girls and he kept getting uncomfortable. Not because he was gay, but because he kept acting like he was six. I just thought that was an odd trait. You'd think he'd at least have been interested in sex, but nothing.
However, it was an easy read and everyone ended up happy, except the bad guys, but they're not supposed to. So I guess I'll give it two stars.
October 31, 2011
Highly regarded as one of the best of Heinlein’s juvies, Citizen of the Galaxy is indeed, for the most part, worthy of the praise that has been heaped upon it. I do have one qualm with this novel; it seems to lack a nemesis, or antagonist. There is quite a bit that happens – but to what end? There are no “bad guys” so it’s a bit bland at times. The slavers, and slavery, are the closest the novel ever comes to real conflict, but that is handled in such a peripheral fashion that there is never any real sense of threat. In the end, the novel turns into a courtroom and boardroom drama. This is connected to the overlying plot, but the coincidences involved are a bit hard to swallow.
On the other hand, this novel succeeds fairly well as a bildungsroman and as a science fiction novel aimed at younger readers. There is almost no violence and the scientific expositions are fairly straightforward and interesting. There is a lot of allegory and Heinlein gets positively preachy about the importance of family and owning up to responsibility.
So where does that leave me? It isn’t a bad novel by any definition, but it did leave me feeling a bit unsatisfied. Perhaps I’ve just become desensitized…
On the other hand, this novel succeeds fairly well as a bildungsroman and as a science fiction novel aimed at younger readers. There is almost no violence and the scientific expositions are fairly straightforward and interesting. There is a lot of allegory and Heinlein gets positively preachy about the importance of family and owning up to responsibility.
So where does that leave me? It isn’t a bad novel by any definition, but it did leave me feeling a bit unsatisfied. Perhaps I’ve just become desensitized…
March 13, 2010
4.0 to 4.5 stars. My second favorite Heinlein novel after The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. Good writing, excellent characters and an interesting plot. Recommended!!
March 23, 2012
Citizen of the Galaxy is a throw back to the days when a complete story could be told in 250 pages or less. A nice 3 Star diversion to a simpler time in SciFi, when "atomics" were all the rage and everyone had them, strictly for defense you know. Heinlein tells a tale of a young lad, sold as a slave to an old beggar--who is not what he seems. The boy grows and has adventures as he goes on a mission for the old beggar that will journey through several different cultures. Heinlein paints 3 different cultures in full enough detail in just a few pages. Very enjoyable. Well worth a couple of hours -- that is all it will take.
March 13, 2017
Originally published on my blog here in August 1999.
At one stage of his career, Heinlein wrote a series of novels aimed at what is now termed the "young adult" market; Citizen of the Galaxy is one of the best of these. This is partly because it has something of a message yet is still entertaining escapism.
The moral is hardly a revolutionary one; it has been pretty generally accepted throughout the twentieth century. It can be summed up as "slavery is evil", and though mainly concerned with slavery as traditionally practised, it contains rather subtler references to extend the idea of slavery to cover any life determined by involuntary rules imposed from outside. The central character, Thorby, basically passes through several different sorts of 'slavery' - ownership by another, membership of a ritually constrained culture, the discipline imposed by the armed forces. (I am not sure that Heinlein would have considered this a form of slavery when enlistment is voluntary.)
The plot of the novel is fairly implausible. Thorby, a slave for as long as he can remember, is sold at the market on the planet Sargon VIII, part of a group of planets (the Imperium) where slavery is an important social institution. He is bought - at a knock down price - by an old beggar, Baslim, and adopted as his son. Baslim is not what he appears to be; he turns out to be a spy dedicated to eradicating slavery. When suspected by the Imperium he kills himself when capture is inevitable; but Thorby escapes with the help of the Free Traders Baslim had used as couriers for his messages.
The Free Traders are basically spacegoing merchant princes, who have subordinated their entire lives to ritual designed to maximise profit and make it possible for a large community to live in the restricted environment of a spaceship. When Thorby finds this new slavery constricting, he is able to join the armed forces of the Terran Hegemony, in which Baslim had been an important officer. The identity check performed on new recruits then causes the most implausible twist in the book: Thorby is actually Thor Rudbek, heir to one of Earth's biggest corporate fortunes, presumed dead after his parents' space yacht went missing when he was a baby.
The implausibility is hidden by skilful writing; the characters are believable' and this makes it one of Heinlein's best books.
At one stage of his career, Heinlein wrote a series of novels aimed at what is now termed the "young adult" market; Citizen of the Galaxy is one of the best of these. This is partly because it has something of a message yet is still entertaining escapism.
The moral is hardly a revolutionary one; it has been pretty generally accepted throughout the twentieth century. It can be summed up as "slavery is evil", and though mainly concerned with slavery as traditionally practised, it contains rather subtler references to extend the idea of slavery to cover any life determined by involuntary rules imposed from outside. The central character, Thorby, basically passes through several different sorts of 'slavery' - ownership by another, membership of a ritually constrained culture, the discipline imposed by the armed forces. (I am not sure that Heinlein would have considered this a form of slavery when enlistment is voluntary.)
The plot of the novel is fairly implausible. Thorby, a slave for as long as he can remember, is sold at the market on the planet Sargon VIII, part of a group of planets (the Imperium) where slavery is an important social institution. He is bought - at a knock down price - by an old beggar, Baslim, and adopted as his son. Baslim is not what he appears to be; he turns out to be a spy dedicated to eradicating slavery. When suspected by the Imperium he kills himself when capture is inevitable; but Thorby escapes with the help of the Free Traders Baslim had used as couriers for his messages.
The Free Traders are basically spacegoing merchant princes, who have subordinated their entire lives to ritual designed to maximise profit and make it possible for a large community to live in the restricted environment of a spaceship. When Thorby finds this new slavery constricting, he is able to join the armed forces of the Terran Hegemony, in which Baslim had been an important officer. The identity check performed on new recruits then causes the most implausible twist in the book: Thorby is actually Thor Rudbek, heir to one of Earth's biggest corporate fortunes, presumed dead after his parents' space yacht went missing when he was a baby.
The implausibility is hidden by skilful writing; the characters are believable' and this makes it one of Heinlein's best books.
March 29, 2016
Robert A. Heinlein ought to be required reading. He thinks differently and through his imaginitive universes, plays out his lines of though into conceivable, possible futures. Here he is dealing with a humanity that is wide spread across the universe, interacting with alien species and creating and adapting to cultures far beyond the imaginations of most, but he doesn't spend time in the wild, huge, mind bending sci fi details, he focuses on the life of a young boy who is forced to adapt to several different cultures and explore what makes each tick. Through this process, one of the more insightful aspects of this book, is the way Heinlein interacts with how customs aren't learned on the conscious level but that we all pick them up unawares, rarely questioning them and looking down upon those who do not fit. We don't do it on purpose and most aren't even aware they are doing it, but Heinlein shows it here deftly and, hopefully, opens our eyes to what it might look like to be the victim of unconscious, cultural prejudice, as well as trying to understand even the prejudiced.
Heinlein had plenty more to say in this book through the course of an engaging story, interesting characters, and plenty of clever dialogue. While this is far from Heinlein's best work, it is worth reading for enjoyments sake and hopefully, through the process, will challenge our perceptions.
Heinlein had plenty more to say in this book through the course of an engaging story, interesting characters, and plenty of clever dialogue. While this is far from Heinlein's best work, it is worth reading for enjoyments sake and hopefully, through the process, will challenge our perceptions.
December 13, 2018
"Ciudadano de la galaxia" o cómo leer un libro sin darse cuenta. Hay libros que te obligan a repetir que escribir ciencia ficción no es ser sesudo y utilizar teorías y términos rebuscados, intentando mostrar lo buen científico que eres. Una simple idea puede llevarte a disfrutar y a reflexionar al mismo tiempo. Tal vez venía de haber leído otro más denso y, por eso, este me ha parecido como una brisa de aire fresco. Se trata de uno de esos libros en los que, al llegar al final, te sorprendes y te lamentar de que ya haya terminado. Aventuras con su fondo moral en contra de la esclavitud y uan reflexión de hasta qué punto se es libro.
Solo un par de pegas. Echo de menos un poco más de la historia de Baslim porque me parece que no nos cuenta todo lo que podría contarnos de él, aunque eso es simple opinión subjetiva mía. Mi otra pega es referida a Thorby, el protagonista. Se trata de un personaje muy creíble y en seguida conecté con él, pero al final esa evolución abrupta que muetra no me ha parecido muy acertada. Más bien parece que hablara de dos personas completamente diferentes. Y, sabiendo que se trata del mismo personaje, se ve un cambio demasiado drástico. Se rompe esa evolución y nos presenta a un Thorby demasiado serio y "mayor". Por lo demás, un libro muy recomendable para acercarse a Heinlein.
Solo un par de pegas. Echo de menos un poco más de la historia de Baslim porque me parece que no nos cuenta todo lo que podría contarnos de él, aunque eso es simple opinión subjetiva mía. Mi otra pega es referida a Thorby, el protagonista. Se trata de un personaje muy creíble y en seguida conecté con él, pero al final esa evolución abrupta que muetra no me ha parecido muy acertada. Más bien parece que hablara de dos personas completamente diferentes. Y, sabiendo que se trata del mismo personaje, se ve un cambio demasiado drástico. Se rompe esa evolución y nos presenta a un Thorby demasiado serio y "mayor". Por lo demás, un libro muy recomendable para acercarse a Heinlein.
July 27, 2016
Es bien sabido el ESPECIAL MENSAJE ALECCIONADOR Y FILOSÓFICO VITAL DE HEINLEIN EN SU TRABAJOS JUVENILES. PERO ÉSTE ES, QUIZÁ, EL MÁS INSISTENTE CON RESPECTO A LA LIBERTAD INDIVIDUAL QUE DEBE CONFORMAR EL CAMINO DE TODO SER, Y EL APRENDIZAJE A BASE DE ESFUERZO PARA LABRARSE UNA VISIÓN ACORDE CON LO QUE SERÁ SU POSIBLE FUTURO Y SU ELECCIÓN EN LA VIDA.
Se podría definir entre UN ‘OLIVER TWIST’ (PERO MUCHO MÁS DINÁMICO Y DIRECTO) Y ‘EL PRINCIPITO’ ( IGUAL DE REALISTA PERO SIN EL TONO PESIMISTA DEL CLÁSICO INFANTIL)
Y es que la presente novela nos habla de Thorby, un esclavo infantil con un pasado nebuloso a la vez que tormentoso (por lo que deja entrever el autor; tremendo y duro), que llega a la capital de los nueve Reinos (un cooperativa de planetas totalmente fascista y autoritaria, regida por Sargon) y es nuevamente subastado. En ésta ocasión un mendigo con licencia: Baslim, el lisiado lo comprará y se convertirá en su amo, pero con el propósito de protegerlo, HACERLE VER LA VALÍA DE SU PERSONA, INCULCARLE UNOS PRINCIPIOS MORALES Y UN CONOCIMIENTO SUFICIENTE PARA QUE TOME LAS RIENDAS DE SU CAMINO.
Ésta primera parte se DEDICA A HABLARNOS DE LOS BUENOS VALORES QUE DEBEN REGIR AL INDIVIDÚO, LA IMPORTANCIA DE LA PRECISA EDUCACIÓN Y CONOCIMIENTO PARA EL DESARROLLO DE CUALQUIER PERSONA ADEMÁS DE LA EXPERIENCIA, IMPRESCINDIBLE, DE CADA UNO, BUENA O MALA, PARA SU EVOLUCIÓN VITAL:
‘Tampoco Baslim hubiese removido los recuerdos [...] tenía la firme creencia que las experiencias de un hombre le pertenecen y ni siquiera las peores deben extraerse sin su consentimiento’
Es un tramo de la novela tierno, aleccionador y con un final de aventuras tipo espionaje, en el que se sienta la premisa del resto de la obra.
En su segunda parte, Thorby viajará a bordo de una nave de Mercaderes libres : La Sisu (por encargo de su ‘Pa’, Lisbom). Allí se sentirá menospreciado al principio, PUES LA NOVELA TOCA, PRINCIPALMENTE EL TEMA DEL ESCLAVISMO EN TODAS SUS VERTIENTES (LOS INEVITABLES CONVENCIONALISMOS Y COSTUMBRES DE TODA SOCIEDAD O GRUPO, Y SUS NORMAS, OSTRACISMO GENERALIZADO), la nave está regida por un, para ellos, evolucionado Matriarcado ( ahora son ellas las que eligen con quién casarse y cómo llevarlo al éxito) pero a toda vista inamovible y semi dogmático, COSA QUE VERÁ EL PROTAGONISTA A TRAVÉS DE UNA ANTROPÓLOGA INVITADA EN LA NAVE:
‘La mayoría de las sociedades- continuó ella- practica tanto la exogamia como la endogamia: un hombre debe casarse fuera de su familia pero dentro de su nación, raza, religión o algún grupo grande’ [...] vosotros no sois una excepción’
Pero, además, ésta parte tiene acción armada con combate y prácticas ( Y teoría científica, descrita de manera simple y aclaratoria), ya que la nave debe eliminar a los piratas espaciales que trabajan para los nueve reinos traficando con esclavos. A todo esto nuestro joven SE PREGUNTARÁ SI A PESAR DE SER LIBRE, LO ES REALMENTE, SI CUENTAN SUS DECISIONES O NO Y SUS DESEOS DENTRO DE LA SISU, ya que por su desvinculación obligada, por costumbres culturales, con dos personas arraigadas a nivel sentimental allí, sentirá mal estar:
‘ [... ] hubo dicho Pa era que un hombre no debía ser más libre que en su propia mente’
Los miembros de su ‘presente familia’ son UNOS CLASISTAS SIN APENAS VERLO, PERO SÍ MÁS ABIERTOS QUE OTROS, CLARO ESTÁ’
En el tercer tramo de la narración, Thorby es trasladado a una nave militar y se encarga de ser un guardián artillero hasta que su cuidador encuentre sus verdaderas raíces..la cual cosa el muchacho nunca pidió. Allí CONOCERÁ EL VERDADERO TRABAJO DE ‘PA’ BASLIM ( UN REBELDE, INCLUSO EN SU CÍRCULO, PERO MUY ADMIRADO, NO OBSTANTE) Y CASI ENCONTRARÁ SU PROPÓSITO EN LA VIDA, PUÉS AÚN LE QUEDA UNA VUELTA MÁS QUE DAR...¡EL CAMINO NO ES SIEMPRE EL QUE UNO DESEA, AUNQUE LA FINALIDAD SEA LA MISMA! (conforme vives, eso queda muy patente, ya lo creo). Allí se sentirá a gusto y SABRÁ SER UN SER INDIVIDUAL Y LIBRE PENSADOR, GRACIAS A SU CÚMULO DE EXPERIENCIAS Y PUNTOS DE VISTA, pero sabe que no debe ser optimista aunque sí positivo con la ESCLAVITUD IMPERANTE DEL PLANETA:
‘[...]Cuando una cultura enferma de esclavismo, ése mal se arraiga en el sistema económico y en las leyes, en los hábitos y la actitud de los hombres. Si se logra abolir se convierte en clandestina [...]la gente de la mente que cree cómo su derecho natural a poseer otras personas’
¿EL LIBRO MÁS INDIVIDUALISTA DE HEINLEIN Y LIBERALISTA? EL JUVENIL, SIN DUDA ALGUNA Y EN GENERAL EL DE MENSAJE MÁS INDIVIDUALISTA.
Aquí el autor plantea al lector si todos somos o no esclavos (quizá parezca manido actualmente) pero para tratarse de un libro juvenil de los cincuenta, es casi un atentado a las restricciones que quieren imponer los fascistas...bien seguro que sería quemado en otra época).
Ya en la última parte asistimos a la llegada a la Tierra de Thorby, la conexión con sus familiares opulentos y codiciosos, y su DESCONTENTO GENERAL CON SU FAMILIA Y ACTUAL STATUS. ODIA LAS VÍVORAS CON LAS QUE TRATA Y SUS VERICUETOS LEGALES, SUS RESTRICCIONES BUROCRÁTICAS, SUS TRAPICHEOS POR EL PODER Y SU, AL FIN, INFELICIDAD SIN DARSE CUENTA. Pero ahí es cuando él TOMARÁ ASIENTO DEL POTENCIAL DE SU SITUACIÓN Y EN ENCAUZAMIENTO DE LAS PREMISAS DE SU MISIÓN VITAL IDEAL: LA ABOLICIÓN DEL ESCLAVISMO, NO SIN SACRIFICAR SU PROPIA LIBERTAD DE POR MEDIO ( la victoria nunca es completa) Y SU CAMINO Y TEMPO IDEAL PARA LLEVARLO A CABO:
‘La gente es libre....a costa de la libertad individual de cada uno de vosotros [...]’
‘Significa dedicarse tanto a la libertad que se debe estar dispuesto a dar la propia..o
Así pues ‘Ciudadano de la galaxia’ ES UNA GRAN FÁBULA ACERCA DE LA ESCLAVITUD INHERENTE EN TODAS LAS SOCIEDADES, LLENAS DE PROTOCOLOS, NECESARIAS PERO DOGMÁTICAS COSTUMBRES DEL HOMBRE, SUS VERICUETOS LEGALES, PODER Y AMBICIÓN, OSTRACISMOS, ANCLAJES Y, PRINCIPALMENTE, SOBRE LA LIBERTAD DEL INDIVIDUO, CON UN MENSAJE IMPERECEDERO: Labrar tu propio yo, buscar tu sitio y destino en la galaxia, sin intromisión en demasía de terceros, mediante tu juicio vital.
DEMASIADO DENSO PARA UN ADOLESCENTE, CREO QUE ENCAJA MEJOR EN UN LIBRO ADULTO DEL GÉNERO.
¿ACASO NO TODOS ANSIAMOS ESO, EN EL FONDO? PERO...¿ES TOTALMENTE POSIBLE?
‘Ya hace unos cuantos años que soy libre y te anticipo que te sentirás más suelto pero no siempre más cómodo’.
Se podría definir entre UN ‘OLIVER TWIST’ (PERO MUCHO MÁS DINÁMICO Y DIRECTO) Y ‘EL PRINCIPITO’ ( IGUAL DE REALISTA PERO SIN EL TONO PESIMISTA DEL CLÁSICO INFANTIL)
Y es que la presente novela nos habla de Thorby, un esclavo infantil con un pasado nebuloso a la vez que tormentoso (por lo que deja entrever el autor; tremendo y duro), que llega a la capital de los nueve Reinos (un cooperativa de planetas totalmente fascista y autoritaria, regida por Sargon) y es nuevamente subastado. En ésta ocasión un mendigo con licencia: Baslim, el lisiado lo comprará y se convertirá en su amo, pero con el propósito de protegerlo, HACERLE VER LA VALÍA DE SU PERSONA, INCULCARLE UNOS PRINCIPIOS MORALES Y UN CONOCIMIENTO SUFICIENTE PARA QUE TOME LAS RIENDAS DE SU CAMINO.
Ésta primera parte se DEDICA A HABLARNOS DE LOS BUENOS VALORES QUE DEBEN REGIR AL INDIVIDÚO, LA IMPORTANCIA DE LA PRECISA EDUCACIÓN Y CONOCIMIENTO PARA EL DESARROLLO DE CUALQUIER PERSONA ADEMÁS DE LA EXPERIENCIA, IMPRESCINDIBLE, DE CADA UNO, BUENA O MALA, PARA SU EVOLUCIÓN VITAL:
‘Tampoco Baslim hubiese removido los recuerdos [...] tenía la firme creencia que las experiencias de un hombre le pertenecen y ni siquiera las peores deben extraerse sin su consentimiento’
Es un tramo de la novela tierno, aleccionador y con un final de aventuras tipo espionaje, en el que se sienta la premisa del resto de la obra.
En su segunda parte, Thorby viajará a bordo de una nave de Mercaderes libres : La Sisu (por encargo de su ‘Pa’, Lisbom). Allí se sentirá menospreciado al principio, PUES LA NOVELA TOCA, PRINCIPALMENTE EL TEMA DEL ESCLAVISMO EN TODAS SUS VERTIENTES (LOS INEVITABLES CONVENCIONALISMOS Y COSTUMBRES DE TODA SOCIEDAD O GRUPO, Y SUS NORMAS, OSTRACISMO GENERALIZADO), la nave está regida por un, para ellos, evolucionado Matriarcado ( ahora son ellas las que eligen con quién casarse y cómo llevarlo al éxito) pero a toda vista inamovible y semi dogmático, COSA QUE VERÁ EL PROTAGONISTA A TRAVÉS DE UNA ANTROPÓLOGA INVITADA EN LA NAVE:
‘La mayoría de las sociedades- continuó ella- practica tanto la exogamia como la endogamia: un hombre debe casarse fuera de su familia pero dentro de su nación, raza, religión o algún grupo grande’ [...] vosotros no sois una excepción’
Pero, además, ésta parte tiene acción armada con combate y prácticas ( Y teoría científica, descrita de manera simple y aclaratoria), ya que la nave debe eliminar a los piratas espaciales que trabajan para los nueve reinos traficando con esclavos. A todo esto nuestro joven SE PREGUNTARÁ SI A PESAR DE SER LIBRE, LO ES REALMENTE, SI CUENTAN SUS DECISIONES O NO Y SUS DESEOS DENTRO DE LA SISU, ya que por su desvinculación obligada, por costumbres culturales, con dos personas arraigadas a nivel sentimental allí, sentirá mal estar:
‘ [... ] hubo dicho Pa era que un hombre no debía ser más libre que en su propia mente’
Los miembros de su ‘presente familia’ son UNOS CLASISTAS SIN APENAS VERLO, PERO SÍ MÁS ABIERTOS QUE OTROS, CLARO ESTÁ’
En el tercer tramo de la narración, Thorby es trasladado a una nave militar y se encarga de ser un guardián artillero hasta que su cuidador encuentre sus verdaderas raíces..la cual cosa el muchacho nunca pidió. Allí CONOCERÁ EL VERDADERO TRABAJO DE ‘PA’ BASLIM ( UN REBELDE, INCLUSO EN SU CÍRCULO, PERO MUY ADMIRADO, NO OBSTANTE) Y CASI ENCONTRARÁ SU PROPÓSITO EN LA VIDA, PUÉS AÚN LE QUEDA UNA VUELTA MÁS QUE DAR...¡EL CAMINO NO ES SIEMPRE EL QUE UNO DESEA, AUNQUE LA FINALIDAD SEA LA MISMA! (conforme vives, eso queda muy patente, ya lo creo). Allí se sentirá a gusto y SABRÁ SER UN SER INDIVIDUAL Y LIBRE PENSADOR, GRACIAS A SU CÚMULO DE EXPERIENCIAS Y PUNTOS DE VISTA, pero sabe que no debe ser optimista aunque sí positivo con la ESCLAVITUD IMPERANTE DEL PLANETA:
‘[...]Cuando una cultura enferma de esclavismo, ése mal se arraiga en el sistema económico y en las leyes, en los hábitos y la actitud de los hombres. Si se logra abolir se convierte en clandestina [...]la gente de la mente que cree cómo su derecho natural a poseer otras personas’
¿EL LIBRO MÁS INDIVIDUALISTA DE HEINLEIN Y LIBERALISTA? EL JUVENIL, SIN DUDA ALGUNA Y EN GENERAL EL DE MENSAJE MÁS INDIVIDUALISTA.
Aquí el autor plantea al lector si todos somos o no esclavos (quizá parezca manido actualmente) pero para tratarse de un libro juvenil de los cincuenta, es casi un atentado a las restricciones que quieren imponer los fascistas...bien seguro que sería quemado en otra época).
Ya en la última parte asistimos a la llegada a la Tierra de Thorby, la conexión con sus familiares opulentos y codiciosos, y su DESCONTENTO GENERAL CON SU FAMILIA Y ACTUAL STATUS. ODIA LAS VÍVORAS CON LAS QUE TRATA Y SUS VERICUETOS LEGALES, SUS RESTRICCIONES BUROCRÁTICAS, SUS TRAPICHEOS POR EL PODER Y SU, AL FIN, INFELICIDAD SIN DARSE CUENTA. Pero ahí es cuando él TOMARÁ ASIENTO DEL POTENCIAL DE SU SITUACIÓN Y EN ENCAUZAMIENTO DE LAS PREMISAS DE SU MISIÓN VITAL IDEAL: LA ABOLICIÓN DEL ESCLAVISMO, NO SIN SACRIFICAR SU PROPIA LIBERTAD DE POR MEDIO ( la victoria nunca es completa) Y SU CAMINO Y TEMPO IDEAL PARA LLEVARLO A CABO:
‘La gente es libre....a costa de la libertad individual de cada uno de vosotros [...]’
‘Significa dedicarse tanto a la libertad que se debe estar dispuesto a dar la propia..o
Así pues ‘Ciudadano de la galaxia’ ES UNA GRAN FÁBULA ACERCA DE LA ESCLAVITUD INHERENTE EN TODAS LAS SOCIEDADES, LLENAS DE PROTOCOLOS, NECESARIAS PERO DOGMÁTICAS COSTUMBRES DEL HOMBRE, SUS VERICUETOS LEGALES, PODER Y AMBICIÓN, OSTRACISMOS, ANCLAJES Y, PRINCIPALMENTE, SOBRE LA LIBERTAD DEL INDIVIDUO, CON UN MENSAJE IMPERECEDERO: Labrar tu propio yo, buscar tu sitio y destino en la galaxia, sin intromisión en demasía de terceros, mediante tu juicio vital.
DEMASIADO DENSO PARA UN ADOLESCENTE, CREO QUE ENCAJA MEJOR EN UN LIBRO ADULTO DEL GÉNERO.
¿ACASO NO TODOS ANSIAMOS ESO, EN EL FONDO? PERO...¿ES TOTALMENTE POSIBLE?
‘Ya hace unos cuantos años que soy libre y te anticipo que te sentirás más suelto pero no siempre más cómodo’.
February 1, 2021
Un viatge iniciàtic al·legòric sobre què és la llibertat. Heinlein aconsegueix que el plantejament d’ideals amb els quals estic totalment en contra, com són el neoliberalisme i el militarisme (per molt bones intencions que tingui l’autor), em facin tenir unes reflexions interessants. A banda, trobem una història suficientment entretinguda (malgrat tenir alguns alts i baixos) i, sobretot, un esbòs de diferents organitzacions socials espacials que se m’ha fet molt hipnòtic.
January 24, 2009
I've read a LOT of Heinlein, and this book doesn't read as much like a "typical" Heinlein book as others I've read. The main character is very serious --yes, he was a slave, but usually Heinlein books involve a certain witty dialogue that this character lacked.
That said, it was still an amazing book. We meet Thorby as he's being unloaded from a slave ship, and follow him through his life from there on. He's adopted by a begger/slave trade fighter in disguise, Baslim, who he calls Pop. From there, Thorby goes on to be adopted into the complicated "family" of a Free Trade ship, who's captain is fulfilling an oath to Baslim by adopting Thorby. We learn all about the Free Traders through an anthropologist on the ship who is studying them, and I found this break down of their culture very interesting. Thorby is then transferred into the hands of the military, as part of the Captain's oath to Baslim-- find out who Thorby really is.
Begin Thorby's stint serving in the military, gaining status because of his arms defense knowledge learned from the traders. Eventually we find out who he really is, and who Baslim really was. The rest of the book is finished on Earth, where Thorby finally fulfills his destiny, and his legacy to Pop.
As this book was ending, I kept looking at the remaining pages and thinking "no WAY this is going to resolve itself in 10, 5, 2 pages!!". And I was right, it didn't. The end of the book left me wanting more, as I don't feel it fully wrapped up the story. Aside from this, Citizen Of The Galexy was a great read!
That said, it was still an amazing book. We meet Thorby as he's being unloaded from a slave ship, and follow him through his life from there on. He's adopted by a begger/slave trade fighter in disguise, Baslim, who he calls Pop. From there, Thorby goes on to be adopted into the complicated "family" of a Free Trade ship, who's captain is fulfilling an oath to Baslim by adopting Thorby. We learn all about the Free Traders through an anthropologist on the ship who is studying them, and I found this break down of their culture very interesting. Thorby is then transferred into the hands of the military, as part of the Captain's oath to Baslim-- find out who Thorby really is.
Begin Thorby's stint serving in the military, gaining status because of his arms defense knowledge learned from the traders. Eventually we find out who he really is, and who Baslim really was. The rest of the book is finished on Earth, where Thorby finally fulfills his destiny, and his legacy to Pop.
As this book was ending, I kept looking at the remaining pages and thinking "no WAY this is going to resolve itself in 10, 5, 2 pages!!". And I was right, it didn't. The end of the book left me wanting more, as I don't feel it fully wrapped up the story. Aside from this, Citizen Of The Galexy was a great read!
March 21, 2020
VALUTAZIONE PERSONALE:3,7
Recuperato per pochi euro, quasi per caso, nella bella edizione a copertina rigida Cosmo Oro della Editrice Nord, Cittadino della Galassia rappresenta a tutti gli effetti il primo vero romanzo di R. Heinlein letto dal sottoscritto.
Lo si può senz'altro definire un juvenile, una classica opera di formazione inquadrata in un contesto di ancor più classica sci-fi avventurosa, dalla struttura semplice e lineare ma solida e ben consolidata, da leggere in scioltezza e senza particolari pretese.
Come illustra egregiamente la prefazione all'opera di questa edizione, R. Heinlein è americano fino al midollo e non può far a meno di costruire le proprie opere (in questa lo si può vedere spudoratamente) secondo la visione del mondo americana, magari troppo semplice e banale per noi europei ( non ci sono sfumature di sorta: il bianco è bianco, il nero è nero) ma veicolatrice di un messaggio di ottimismo e di riscatto, al quale l'uomo integerrimo moralmente e instancabile sul lavoro inevitabilmente giungerà, superando ostacoli di qualsiasi sorta.
Insomma, almeno per quanto riguarda Cittadino della Galassia, o si accetta di contestualizzare l'opera considerando l'autore e il periodo in cui essa fu scritta, o risulterà leggermente fastidiosa per i lettori meno "americanizzati", se così li si può definire: è proprio per questo che, tutto sommato, sebbene sia senz'altro un'opera valida sotto molti punti di vista e offra comunque importanti spunti di riflessione (il tema della schiavitù gioca un ruolo centrale nel romanzo; la critica al sistema finanziario senza scrupoli che cominciava ad imporsi nell' America degli anni '60 è anch'essa evidente, per quanto quel sistema sembri essere velatamente accettato, tutto sommato, dall' autore: ma si tratta, quest'ultima, di una pura interpretazione personale), non ha entusiasmato particolarmente il sottoscritto.
Dunque, in virtù delle considerazioni esposte, buon romanzo, scorrevole, solido, ma sicuramente lontano dalle migliori creazioni di R. Heinlein.
Recuperato per pochi euro, quasi per caso, nella bella edizione a copertina rigida Cosmo Oro della Editrice Nord, Cittadino della Galassia rappresenta a tutti gli effetti il primo vero romanzo di R. Heinlein letto dal sottoscritto.
Lo si può senz'altro definire un juvenile, una classica opera di formazione inquadrata in un contesto di ancor più classica sci-fi avventurosa, dalla struttura semplice e lineare ma solida e ben consolidata, da leggere in scioltezza e senza particolari pretese.
Come illustra egregiamente la prefazione all'opera di questa edizione, R. Heinlein è americano fino al midollo e non può far a meno di costruire le proprie opere (in questa lo si può vedere spudoratamente) secondo la visione del mondo americana, magari troppo semplice e banale per noi europei ( non ci sono sfumature di sorta: il bianco è bianco, il nero è nero) ma veicolatrice di un messaggio di ottimismo e di riscatto, al quale l'uomo integerrimo moralmente e instancabile sul lavoro inevitabilmente giungerà, superando ostacoli di qualsiasi sorta.
Insomma, almeno per quanto riguarda Cittadino della Galassia, o si accetta di contestualizzare l'opera considerando l'autore e il periodo in cui essa fu scritta, o risulterà leggermente fastidiosa per i lettori meno "americanizzati", se così li si può definire: è proprio per questo che, tutto sommato, sebbene sia senz'altro un'opera valida sotto molti punti di vista e offra comunque importanti spunti di riflessione (il tema della schiavitù gioca un ruolo centrale nel romanzo; la critica al sistema finanziario senza scrupoli che cominciava ad imporsi nell' America degli anni '60 è anch'essa evidente, per quanto quel sistema sembri essere velatamente accettato, tutto sommato, dall' autore: ma si tratta, quest'ultima, di una pura interpretazione personale), non ha entusiasmato particolarmente il sottoscritto.
Dunque, in virtù delle considerazioni esposte, buon romanzo, scorrevole, solido, ma sicuramente lontano dalle migliori creazioni di R. Heinlein.
October 6, 2012
It just took me fifty years to finish this book.
Yes, it's true, I started this when I was about nine or ten. I had checked it out from the library and I was immediately immersed in the story of the young slave bought by a crippled beggar. But, the life of a ten year old got in the way. And, I had to play baseball, and I had to learn commerce, which I did by trading, marbles, baseball cards, stamps and comics and learned the painful but necessary lessons of childhood like never trade a puree for less than five cat-eyes, and never, ever trust a sixth grader.
My time ran out and I had to return the book or otherwise face the wrath of my father who would not tolerate money spent on expired library books, no matter how reasonable the fines. My family had a lot of pride and paying fines was considered shameful.
Anyway I remembered the title and the author, but sadly the book was always checked out, whenever I returned to the library.
But then many years later (like now) in a nostalgic mood I found an e-book version and decided to finally finish what I had set out to do as a child.
Well, I still enjoyed the part about the young slave and the crippled beggar. But, when it got around to the end with Heinlein trying to explain corporate behavior to young juveniles while sermonizing on freedom and personal responsibility?
It got me to thinking that as a child I was lucky to have left off with only a memory of a young slave adopted by a wise and kindly beggar.
It was like having the good Heinlein without the bizarre parts.
Yes, it's true, I started this when I was about nine or ten. I had checked it out from the library and I was immediately immersed in the story of the young slave bought by a crippled beggar. But, the life of a ten year old got in the way. And, I had to play baseball, and I had to learn commerce, which I did by trading, marbles, baseball cards, stamps and comics and learned the painful but necessary lessons of childhood like never trade a puree for less than five cat-eyes, and never, ever trust a sixth grader.
My time ran out and I had to return the book or otherwise face the wrath of my father who would not tolerate money spent on expired library books, no matter how reasonable the fines. My family had a lot of pride and paying fines was considered shameful.
Anyway I remembered the title and the author, but sadly the book was always checked out, whenever I returned to the library.
But then many years later (like now) in a nostalgic mood I found an e-book version and decided to finally finish what I had set out to do as a child.
Well, I still enjoyed the part about the young slave and the crippled beggar. But, when it got around to the end with Heinlein trying to explain corporate behavior to young juveniles while sermonizing on freedom and personal responsibility?
It got me to thinking that as a child I was lucky to have left off with only a memory of a young slave adopted by a wise and kindly beggar.
It was like having the good Heinlein without the bizarre parts.
August 2, 2017
"Freedom is a hard habit to break."
Geared more toward a YA audience (before there was such a distinct genre categorizing of said audience), Citizen of the Galaxy centers around the theme of slavery, cultural development, and the meaning of freedom.
It follows a young boy named Thorby—an unbroken slave being sold on a distant planet—as he is purchased by an old beggar. This beggar is far more than he seems, and recognizes in Thorby not only his future potential, but the possibility that he’s come from a free world and may still have family left alive somewhere.
Heinlein’s prose is enthralling. It’s clear he’s exploring some deep and difficult topics, but he doesn’t postulate any easy answers—which makes the premise all the more believable. The characterization comes through deft and strong, even in minor side characters. And Thorby himself, for all his training and cleverness, remains endearingly innocent to the point of obtuse. Readers can’t help but want to see his story have a good ending. Or at least, a conclusive one.
The pacing is a bit sluggish at times, but the cultural nuances and politics that occupy much of these periods of slow-down are often intriguing enough to make up for it. And the worldbuilding is impressively rich, without being overwhelming.
Really good overall, but the ending was pretty loose and anti-climactic. I guess I was hoping for more of a showdown, and less of an acquiescence to a backseat role in humanity’s speculatively never-ending struggle with human trafficking.
Geared more toward a YA audience (before there was such a distinct genre categorizing of said audience), Citizen of the Galaxy centers around the theme of slavery, cultural development, and the meaning of freedom.
It follows a young boy named Thorby—an unbroken slave being sold on a distant planet—as he is purchased by an old beggar. This beggar is far more than he seems, and recognizes in Thorby not only his future potential, but the possibility that he’s come from a free world and may still have family left alive somewhere.
Heinlein’s prose is enthralling. It’s clear he’s exploring some deep and difficult topics, but he doesn’t postulate any easy answers—which makes the premise all the more believable. The characterization comes through deft and strong, even in minor side characters. And Thorby himself, for all his training and cleverness, remains endearingly innocent to the point of obtuse. Readers can’t help but want to see his story have a good ending. Or at least, a conclusive one.
The pacing is a bit sluggish at times, but the cultural nuances and politics that occupy much of these periods of slow-down are often intriguing enough to make up for it. And the worldbuilding is impressively rich, without being overwhelming.
Really good overall, but the ending was pretty loose and anti-climactic. I guess I was hoping for more of a showdown, and less of an acquiescence to a backseat role in humanity’s speculatively never-ending struggle with human trafficking.
June 7, 2022
This is another of my favorite Heinlein novels. It has characteristics of the juveniles, centering on a young man coming of age, but has more of the plot structure typical of more mature novels.
In another sense, it is a series of short stories following a (to start) young boy who is a slave, then a freedman beggar in the streets, then a spaceman free trader and finally one of the richest men in the galaxy. At each step he takes what he learns to be better in the roles to come. The progression is more varied than most would experience, but it says a lot about the progression through various stages of our life.
I wasn't sure if this one would work as well for the kids, but it turns out to have been a great choice for them, too!
2017: This was one the kids requested to re-listen to! I'm glad that they love it like I do.
In another sense, it is a series of short stories following a (to start) young boy who is a slave, then a freedman beggar in the streets, then a spaceman free trader and finally one of the richest men in the galaxy. At each step he takes what he learns to be better in the roles to come. The progression is more varied than most would experience, but it says a lot about the progression through various stages of our life.
I wasn't sure if this one would work as well for the kids, but it turns out to have been a great choice for them, too!
2017: This was one the kids requested to re-listen to! I'm glad that they love it like I do.
July 11, 2007
The story of a slave boy who becomes free and grows up, making his way through the Galaxy.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable science fiction book.
There isn't much character development, which is a little lame, because it is a story of a young man growing up.
However, the Heinlein's galaxy provides an interesting allegory for many human institutions such as government, free trade, education, and slavery.
The anti-slavery argument presented in this novel is more than just a condemnation of slavery as "racist." Slavery in the galaxy is not racially based. Rather, the anti-slavery philosophy presented argues from an individualistic point of view; it argues that slavery is wrong because it is a violation of personal rights by the government and economic concerns.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable science fiction book.
There isn't much character development, which is a little lame, because it is a story of a young man growing up.
However, the Heinlein's galaxy provides an interesting allegory for many human institutions such as government, free trade, education, and slavery.
The anti-slavery argument presented in this novel is more than just a condemnation of slavery as "racist." Slavery in the galaxy is not racially based. Rather, the anti-slavery philosophy presented argues from an individualistic point of view; it argues that slavery is wrong because it is a violation of personal rights by the government and economic concerns.
March 2, 2014
-El encanto del neoliberalismo, entre el adoctrinamiento y la sugerencia.-
Género. Ciencia-Ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. Thorby es un muchacho vendido como esclavo en el mercado de la Plaza de la Libertad frente al Capitolio de los Nueve Mundos. Su comprador, el mendigo lisiado Baslim que en realidad es un espía, decide cuidar y formar a Thorby para que crezca camino de ser algo más que un esclavo, lo que le llevará a vivir toda una epopeya.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Ciencia-Ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. Thorby es un muchacho vendido como esclavo en el mercado de la Plaza de la Libertad frente al Capitolio de los Nueve Mundos. Su comprador, el mendigo lisiado Baslim que en realidad es un espía, decide cuidar y formar a Thorby para que crezca camino de ser algo más que un esclavo, lo que le llevará a vivir toda una epopeya.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
December 29, 2018
Es bastante raro este libro. Es como si las 3 "etapas" que lo componen fueran de libros distintos.
La primera parte sería la de Jubbulpore y el tráfico de esclavos, que es la parte que más me gustó (y que por algún motivo me hizo acordar a los libros de Terramar de Ursula K. Le Guin). La segunda, la de la nave mercante, que tiene algunos momentos bastante interesantes. Y la tercera es la que transcurre en la Tierra, donde se conoce la verdadera identidad del protagonista.
Creo que la idea es mostrar la evolución del personaje, y hacer algunos comentarios sociales, pero en la tercera parte perdí casi todo el interés por la historia que se volvió una especie de Dinastía pero con naves espaciales. Y el final es bastante ambiguo porque no sabemos si el protagonista logra o no su objetivo.
En promedio le doy 3 puntos, un poco más a la primera parte en todo caso que para mí es un 4 o 5 y luego va decayendo.
La primera parte sería la de Jubbulpore y el tráfico de esclavos, que es la parte que más me gustó (y que por algún motivo me hizo acordar a los libros de Terramar de Ursula K. Le Guin). La segunda, la de la nave mercante, que tiene algunos momentos bastante interesantes. Y la tercera es la que transcurre en la Tierra, donde se conoce la verdadera identidad del protagonista.
Creo que la idea es mostrar la evolución del personaje, y hacer algunos comentarios sociales, pero en la tercera parte perdí casi todo el interés por la historia que se volvió una especie de Dinastía pero con naves espaciales. Y el final es bastante ambiguo porque no sabemos si el protagonista logra o no su objetivo.
En promedio le doy 3 puntos, un poco más a la primera parte en todo caso que para mí es un 4 o 5 y luego va decayendo.
April 18, 2018
Aunque disfruté muchísimo con el primer tercio de la novela, el segundo se me hizo algo más pesado y el finalme ha dejado un sabor un tanto agridulce porque me hubiera gustado saber alguna cosa más. En cualquier caso, he disfrutado mucho con la novela y entiendo porqué tiene el éxito que tiene :) lectura más que recomendable si os gusta la ciencia ficción y además con una cubierta impresionante ♥
3.5/5
3.5/5
June 11, 2019
I read the serial that was published in Astounding circa 1957, it may be different from the various book editions.
I find it bizarre that this was considered a juvenile book, not that young adults would find it hard to read.
One major theme is the evils of slavery, Heinlein gets almost too preachy at times, when I first read this as a juvenile more than a half century ago, I thought isn't this obvious? As I grew older and started meeting apologists for slavery, I found that this was not so. What caused the American Civil War? The violation of states rights? Err yeah, the right to own slaves. Slavery was good for the slaves? Really? You should give it a try sometime. It's not really slavery? I buy Joe, Joe is my property to do with as I please, classic chattel slavery.
There's no question what many of the sympathetic characters think of slavery, it's pure evil, which is also Heinlein's view on the subject.
The first 2/3rds of the story are a fine adventure read while the corporate takeover bit was decent but less interesting. There are a fair number of strong female characters in this novel, though their societies are a bit patriarchal. Still, an excellent read after 60+ years.
I find it bizarre that this was considered a juvenile book, not that young adults would find it hard to read.
One major theme is the evils of slavery, Heinlein gets almost too preachy at times, when I first read this as a juvenile more than a half century ago, I thought isn't this obvious? As I grew older and started meeting apologists for slavery, I found that this was not so. What caused the American Civil War? The violation of states rights? Err yeah, the right to own slaves. Slavery was good for the slaves? Really? You should give it a try sometime. It's not really slavery? I buy Joe, Joe is my property to do with as I please, classic chattel slavery.
There's no question what many of the sympathetic characters think of slavery, it's pure evil, which is also Heinlein's view on the subject.
The first 2/3rds of the story are a fine adventure read while the corporate takeover bit was decent but less interesting. There are a fair number of strong female characters in this novel, though their societies are a bit patriarchal. Still, an excellent read after 60+ years.
April 6, 2012
This book starts out with a beggar buying a young slave boy for very little money and might set certain expectations in one's mind, but the beggar isn't all he seems to be and it's one of the best things that could happen to the boy.
This is one of Heinlein's better juvenile novels. It really breaks down into three distinct parts. The first two are excellent, but the third (and final) part comes across as rushed and kind of thrown together. It's a problem with many of his novels, but most (including this one) are good enough before this to make up for the poor ending.
While books like The Star Beast and Red Planet are light adventure stories this is a more serious book that's better suited for older children. It deals with more adult themes (like slavery) and Thorby (our protagonist) has more important decisions to make than the protagonists in those other books.
So, I'd recommend that younger readers might want to start with another book (such as the two I've mentioned or Have Space Suit-Will Travel) this is an excellent book for a truly young adult audience.
This is one of Heinlein's better juvenile novels. It really breaks down into three distinct parts. The first two are excellent, but the third (and final) part comes across as rushed and kind of thrown together. It's a problem with many of his novels, but most (including this one) are good enough before this to make up for the poor ending.
While books like The Star Beast and Red Planet are light adventure stories this is a more serious book that's better suited for older children. It deals with more adult themes (like slavery) and Thorby (our protagonist) has more important decisions to make than the protagonists in those other books.
So, I'd recommend that younger readers might want to start with another book (such as the two I've mentioned or Have Space Suit-Will Travel) this is an excellent book for a truly young adult audience.
July 27, 2016
I liked this book less and less, the more I listened to it (be warned: the narrator's accents are occasionally awful) and after I finished it, the more I thought and read about it. There is a dusting of libertarian thought, not a philosophy I personally find very attractive - an anthropologist with a hideous southern accent - remember, I was listening to this - spouts some libertarian thought about mid-way through that made me scratch my head. There are some antiquated views on women (the spaceship captains were all men, the secretaries were all women - but this WAS 1957; that said, there were a couple of strong female characters, feisty old grandmother in particular (but aren't all old grandmothers in books feisty and "in charge" - that's hardly a progressive idea). The book is also dusted with some military glorification; the ideal job seems to the military, certainly not trading or business. Maybe if I'd read this when I was twelve, I would have enjoyed it more; at 46, I couldn't wait for it to end.
April 17, 2018
This is the first of Heinlein's books I've come across. An intriguing set up, but with far too little focus applied to the last 7 chapters. I felt as though I had an in depth experience with the first portion of the book, and suddenly was reading the sparknotes for the later half of the novel. The book was a jarring mass of implied plot lines and then unaddressed instances. At the end of the book the only conclusions I came away with were strictly based on my own guesses and speculation at how things 'might' have panned out. It drives me crazy when writers do this. I had the distinct impression that the end was a set up for further explication (it wouldn't have taken much to wrap stuff up). I was left thinking that the writer was out of things to say. Wouldn't recommend this book, though the characters are memorable and charming in a hazy, inconclusive sort of way.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 717 reviews