The Door into Summer

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Dan Davis, an electronics engineer, had finally made the invention of a lifetime: a household robot that could do almost anything. Wild success was within reach, but then Dan's life was ruined. In a plot to steal his business, his greedy partner and greedier fiancée tricked him into taking the "long sleep": suspended animation for 30 years.

When he awoke in the far different world of A.D. 2000, he made an amazing discovery. And suddenly Dan had the means to travel back in time and get his revenge.

Once again, the author of Stranger in a Strange Land and Starship Troopers displays his genius. The Door into Summer proves why Robert Heinlein's books have sold more than 50 million copies while winning countless awards and earning him the title of Grand Master of Science Fiction.

Don't miss our other Robert Heinlein audiobooks.

©2003 the Robert A. and Virginia Heinlein Prize Trust; 1956 Fantasy House; 1957, 1984 Robert A. Heinlein (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Heinlein is] one of the grandmasters of science fiction." ( Wall Street Journal)
"Heinlein...has the ability to see technologies just around the bend. That, combined with his outstanding skill as a writer and engineer-inventor, produces books that are often years ahead of their time." ( Philadelphia Inquirer)
"[Heinlein is] not only America's premier writer of speculative fiction but the greatest writer of such fiction in the world. He remains today as a sort of trademark for all that is finest in American imaginative fiction." (Stephen King)

Not Heinlein's Best

Any additional comments?

But still Heinlein. The best part of the book is looking retrospectively at a futurist's take on the 70's and 2000's. There are things which he completely misses, and some surprisingly accurate predictions. The roomba was not invented until the late 90's (or 2000's?, I forget), but it never needed any sort of vacuum tubes. And of course no one would need to write letters and wade through mountains of paper to find out information in 2001. But how could anyone on the 50's predict the internet?

The narration was very well done, as well.

One of the very best!

Wonderfully imaginative! A must read for everyone. Heinlein got so much of the future right.

One of my favorite books growing up.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend reading the book, mainly because I felt like there were some things missing from the book. But it's still a great story.

What did you like best about this story?

It's well thought out. But unfortunately the time it describes is now in the past and things are not like the author expected. But it's well written and the vocabulary is eloquent and intelligent.

What about Patrick Lawlor’s performance did you like?

Great reader.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Of course

This book is my new favorite from Robert Heinlein

This one is well very well written. You will think you know where it's going but then not so much. The twists and turns work very well. I cannot got detailed without ruining it. I've been a Heinlein fan since high school, (early 1970s) and had somehow missed this one. Excellent Listen while driving.

Pay attention

Great story, great narrator. I thought the technical details in the story were a bit much. Most important is that you must pay attention so you can keep up with character as to where and when he is. I loved the cat!

good fun

good fun, amazing insight into what the writer thought the future would be like...a bit creepy when you contemplate the whole Rickki scenario but, it was a different world back then... suspension of disbelief....gives a fun classic sifi read

Just as good as when I read it 60 years ago

I have been a Heinlein fan since I first learned to read. This particular tale is a wonderful fantasy. Since I have lived in 1970 when the story begins and in 2001 when the story concludes, it is and was fun to see the futures that Heinlein envisioned. When I read this the first time both periods were in my future and now as I listen on Audible both periods are in my past. But this is still a jolly good tale.

Entertaining, will listen again

the reader did a very good job presenting this interesting take on time travel by a master of the craft

Perfectly executed.

During the golden age of Science Fiction, when the genre transcended its pulp fiction origins to become an established literary form, Robert.A.Hienlein was without question one of the “stars”. An original voice with a wide vision he was also a writer who knew how to tell a story. While many aspects of his work now seem a little dated, such as the technology - ( he was writing in a time that had no preconception of the digital revolution that would begin to transform technology 30 odd years on ), and the social commentary - ( Heinlein was a liberal voice coming of age as a literary force at the cusp of the sexual revolution ). This does not however detract from his mastery of the basic elements of his craft. This particular novel, “The Door into Summer”, finds him at his peak as a story teller, and the pace fairly rips along, keeping the reader totally engaged and on tender hooks throughout. The central character Dan Davis has been thoroughly done over by his scheming fianc?e and his best friend. Seeking solace in escape, he plans to cryogenically freeze himself and awaken to a future free of trouble. Of course nothing turns out the way he expects and his only hope lies in returning to his past by way of new and untried technology. The plot is sublime, and has become a standard template for writers and film makers. The story is infused with all the usual Heinlein elements; talky commentary, glib wisecracks, smart-alecky rapid fire dialogue, nudity and lots of gadgetry. Everything about this story works. Heinlein at his best. A wonderful audio experience, perfectly executed and highly recommended. I loved it!

If opportunity knocks open the door

This is another good period SF by one of the best. It deals with time travel treachery and true love. In this story a guy is trapped by people he trusted into a dead end with no way out. Dan found that although you can't truly run away from your troubles sometimes there is another way to beat the odds and find your "door into summer".