Methuselah's Children

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 7 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

After the fall of the American Ayatollahs as foretold in Stranger in a Strange Land and chronicled in Revolt in 2100, the United States of America at last fulfills the promise inherent in its first Revolution: for the first time in human history there is a nation with Liberty and Justice for All. No one may seize or harm the person or property of another, or invade his privacy, or force him to do his bidding. Americans are fiercely proud of their re-won liberties and the blood it cost them; nothing could make them forswear those truths they hold self-evident. Nothing except the promise of immortality…

©1958 Robert A. Heinlein (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

I'T CAN'T ALWAYS BE TIME FOR TEA

SERVICE
From start to finish this is an ever changing book. We start on Earth, travel interstellar space, visit two planets and come back to Earth. I have read a lot of Heinlein, but this book seems different in his use of words. Since the rest of his books don't sound like this I think he spent a lot of time studying a dictionary. I am not complaining, it seems to add to the story and it is not over anybody's head. Her is a small example: ANY MINORITY DURING THAT PERIOD OF SEMANTIC DISORIENTATION AND MASS HYSTERIA WAS A PROBABLE TARGET FOR PERSECUTION, DISCRIMINATORY LEGISLATION AND EVEN MOB VIOLENCE. Throughout the book he uses words that seem a little heavier than needed. When he starts talking about science it almost sounds like pseudo science. Fans of Alan Greenspan should love this.

I WOULDN'T BE YOUNG AGAIN FOR OVERTIME WAGES
The story is told in different parts and several issues are in play, so to pin down a feeling on the book is difficult. At the beginning Immortality is the main issue and Heinlein's vision of society is an interesting one. Cars are controlled by traffic towers, men wear kilts, privacy is highly valued, etc..., it is a Heinlein envisioned future. Then we get into conspiracies and politics. We then have space travel and lots of talk about the mechanics of it, lots of talk about time and space and other science. Did you know that carp and amoeba's never die? At the first planet I thought Heinlein was going to copy H.G. Wells. The second planet is even more interesting with lots of philosophy on living in paradise.

YOU CAN DEPEND ON A WOMAN TO BLOW HER TOP AT THE WRONG TIME
As far as character development, there is basically Lazarus Long. He is the Archie Bunker of the book and all other characters are their to support him. To be honest I did not care for him. He is a pushy have it his way type of guy and when someone disagrees with him he is put down soundly. He will ask for discussion, let those who agree with him speak and those who disagree with him are made fun of.

SANDWICH
The book has a whole was entertaining and thought provoking. I did not like it enough for five stars, but I am glad I listened.

Excellent story!

I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time I read. it! still a great story.

One of the Grand Master's best....

I've read this book dozens of times but have just now listened to it on Audible. The story is decades ahead of it's time and Heinlein's writing is superb. I enjoyed the narration as well.

Ahead of its time

I’m working on a science-fiction series myself, and although the actual science behind this one is more space magic than actual science, the concepts are still pretty cutting edge and have modern application. Expertly performed as well. Didn’t have too much trouble telling characters apart, despite the wide cast of characters.

Now I can't say which Heinlein is my favorite.

Before getting this, Starship Troopers was unquestionably my favorite thing Robert Heinlein wrote. Now, I'm not so sure.

In a sort of odd quirk, I've read almost all of Heinlein's works in reverse chronological order. This wasn't my introduction to Lazarus Long and the Howards, this was actually the last thing I read about them. It didn't make a difference. The storytelling is fantastic, and even knowing in principle where each leg of the plot would lead, it was still great to watch the details unfold.

Heinlein Classic

One of my favorite books written by Heinlein. Great story about mass psychology and how it effects discrimination and hatred. Very well written and read.

I loved it, and I will listen to it again.

As good as I remembered it. I recommend it to any classic SF buff

The begining!

Nice to hear the story of the start for Lazarus. Kinda did it backwards and this was satisfying!

Classic story

What did you love best about Methuselah's Children?

Heinlein creates memorable characters. He tells a great story. This is one of his best.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Methuselah's Children?

Lazarus Long's interactions with people are terrific. Chutzpa should be his middle name rather than Wilson.

Andrew Libby is also a terrific character. I don't understand why Heinlein changed him into a woman in one of his later books.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

This old favorite holds up pretty well

I don't know that an audio edition really adds much to this book, a long-time favorite. But this was better, in the sense that it didn't seem as silly/outdated, than *The Number of the Beast*, which was my first RAH audiobook attempt (returned that mess to Audible).

The narrator used more of a corn-pone/hick sort of accent for Lazarus than I would have preferred, but overall he did a good job.