Podkayne of Mars

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

A tale beloved by many fans of Robert A. Heinlein, Podkayne of Mars tells the story of a young Marswoman and her interplanetary adventures with her uncle and her genius brother. Told largely through Podkayne's diaries, the story details her travel to Earth with her two companions. Podkayne has definite plans on what to do and how to do it, but not everything is as it seems. She is suddenly thrust into the middle of life-or-death situations when the liner they are traveling on makes a stop at Venus.

Heinlein was originally asked to change the controversial ending, and he reluctantly did. But he felt the original ending better suited the story and was never satisfied with the modified "safer" ending. This edition restores the book to how Heinlein originally wrote it. It also includes a letter to his agent decrying the changes asked for by his original publisher.

©2016 Robert A. Heinlein (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Good story if a bit misogynistic.

Good story, but a bit of a creature of its time. The protagonist come through as overly emotional and naive. They way men of the era regarded women.

Twisted ending

I have always enjoyed this author and he's has been as much as the teacher as an author. Most of his books have happy or semi happy endings. This one doesn't come close to a happy in it, but it's more real life than previous books endings.

This is an abridged version of the original

This version omits the telephone call at the end of the story that uncle Tom had with Podkane's parents and his scolding of them for the way they raised their their children. It also makes clear that Podkane survived the explosion. This version infers that she died. I don't know why they had to change the story this way.

Revised Ed

Not my favorite HEINLEIN title,but enjoyable all the same. I believe the other audio book available on Audible is the original ending. Some one please correct me if Iam wrong

Different ending

I was eagerly awaiting the ending, but they switched it to something sadder. I had to go back and reread my book ending to be sure; Podkayne is supposed to live(in ICU for a bit) and Clark is supposed to still be on Venus waiting for their father to get there to pick them up.

Return of An Old Favorite

Read this book as a child in the late 60's...just before Star Trek came out. It was the time of the great classic SciFi authors---Clarke, Anderson, Norton, Ellison, Heinlein & a few others. Analog was my favorite magazine, & I remember feeling so grown up when my parents gave me a year's subscription for one birthday. Podkayne of Mars was the first SciFi book I ever read, and I loved it! I still do. Sci-fi has evolved over the years, & this is certainly a book aimed at a younger audience & as a kind of intro to SciFi. However, for me, Podkayne of Mars is old friend I enjoy visiting with every so often. Ms. Nankani captured Podkayne perfectly.

Give it time and listen till the end

I was becoming bored but slightly amused at how this story had sucked me in with a teen girls prattling account of her first adventure. I understood what and why the writer had done to me at the huge reveal near the end of the story. One of my adult daughters had listened to much of the story with me and I will insist she listen to the last chapter. The narration of the story is excellent and I hope all enjoy as much as I did.

Another great book

Creat story, told as a dialogue. Hard to put down once you start. Interesting use of science while relaxing the story.

A miss

I like Heinlein but his work is hit or miss for me. Some of his books are truly great while others…. less so. I can’t call this one bad but it’s definitely not for me.

Narrator is terrible

Maybe the story is good. I don’t know anymore. The narrator ruined it for me. Cannot stand either the female or imitated male voices from this narrator.