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Can I read this book first or do I have to read the books before it to understand what's going on?
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The Cat Who Walks Through Walls,
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Daniel Taylor
"Cat" can be thought of as a sequel to "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress", but if you read that first, it should be because (1) it's a better book and (2) certain revelations in "Cat" will spoil events in "Moon".
"Time Enough for Love" introduces a collection of characters, locales and technology revisited in "Cat." It's not vital to read it first, though.
I would, however, encourage you to read "Number of the Beast" first, as it introduces RAH's take on "World as Myth" theory, of which "Cat" dives headlong into the deep end. It's useful to have seen certain characters and philosophical groundwork before you encounter them here.
"Time Enough for Love" introduces a collection of characters, locales and technology revisited in "Cat." It's not vital to read it first, though.
I would, however, encourage you to read "Number of the Beast" first, as it introduces RAH's take on "World as Myth" theory, of which "Cat" dives headlong into the deep end. It's useful to have seen certain characters and philosophical groundwork before you encounter them here.
Linda
I just finished it without knowing it was part of a series. I enjoyed it immensely. Now I will look for the others.
James
I will add one more book to the list: The Rolling Stones. Hazel is also in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. I think you have to read in this order, to get the most out: Methuselah's Children, Time enough for Love, Moon is a Harsh Mistress, The Rolling Stones, either or both Pursuit of Pantera or Number of the Beast. Nice but not needed, Stranger in a Strange land.
I just read Pursuit of Pantera and it is a far better book than Number of the beast. Stories use the same characters and basic plot, but different universes. P of P was recently released.
I just read Pursuit of Pantera and it is a far better book than Number of the beast. Stories use the same characters and basic plot, but different universes. P of P was recently released.
Amber
I recommend reading The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress first. Then you'll have the whole backstory on Adam Seline and Papa Manny and will know exactly who they are and why they matter.
Maybe also The Number of the Beast, Methuselah's Children, and/or Time Enough For Love. These are the ones that will give you a feel for the Lazarus Long clan and the children of the red-haired Maureen, as well as introduction to the multiverse. (full disclosure: I've read Number of the Beast but not the other two.)
Easter Egg-type bonus: Stranger in a Strange Land - a character from it will make a cameo here and you can point and giggle.
Bonus:
Maybe also The Number of the Beast, Methuselah's Children, and/or Time Enough For Love. These are the ones that will give you a feel for the Lazarus Long clan and the children of the red-haired Maureen, as well as introduction to the multiverse. (full disclosure: I've read Number of the Beast but not the other two.)
Easter Egg-type bonus: Stranger in a Strange Land - a character from it will make a cameo here and you can point and giggle.
Bonus:
Joshua Wetenkamp
I finished it not knowing that it would reference other books and was delighted that I had read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress but saddened that I hadn't read any Lazarus Long books. And this book gave me zero incentive to read anything about Mr Long. tbh. I would read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress and a Lazarus book (no idea which those are) before this one. But that's just me. Or better yet, read Stranger in a Strange Land instead (which btw, is not required before reading this one)!
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