The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

In what is considered one of Heinlein's most hair-raising, thought-provoking, and outrageous adventures, the master of modern science fiction tells the strange story of an even stranger world. It is 21st-century Luna, a harsh penal colony where a revolt is plotted between a bashful computer and a ragtag collection of maverick humans, a revolt that goes beautifully until the inevitable happens. But that's the problem with the inevitable: it always happens.

Winner of the 1967 Hugo award, this novel marked Heinlein's partial return to his best form. He draws many historical parallels with the War of Independence, and clearly shows his own libertarian political views.

©1965 Robert A. Heinlein (P)1999 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award, 1967

"Adrenalizing, mind-stretching, conviction-testing...unmatched by any contemporary!" (Theodore Sturgeon)

Interesting story... ok narration...

Any additional comments?

I liked the story a lot it but I didn't care for the whole story being narrated with a bad Russian accent. It was distracting for about the first 3rd of the book....luckily I enjoyed the concepts of the book enough to get past it....

Excellent narration / fascinating sci fi classic

Luna was set up years ago as a penal colony where prisoners were sent to serve time. They do not have cells and the peace keepers are few since there is no place to escape to. There are no laws but common sense rules of society have developed over the years that maintain order. There is now a large population of free people on Luna, either having served their time or having been born free. But the Warden still governs and he answers to Luna Authority which keeps the population at a level of slavery by controlling the exports and finances.

Manuel, “Mannie”, Davis is a free born citizen who lost an arm in a work accident. He now has a collection of six or seven arms designed for specialized purposes. Mannie works as a computer technician on the main computer that controls the life systems on the moon. When the computer asks about a joke, Mannie realizes that it has become “sentient”. Mannie, with his new friend “Mike” (the lonely computer), inadvertently ends up as one of a handful of leaders of a revolution to free Luna.

Mannie meets a beautiful young activist, Wyoh, at a political rally he attends mostly out of curiosity. The event is interrupted by a police raid and the police, and a few citizens, are killed. Mannie leads Wyoh out of the crowd to a safe place, ultimately bringing her into his interesting family farm. Wyoh is named a fugitive, and Mannie’s longtime friend, Prof, is suspect, but Mannie has not caught the eye of the authorities. The three enlist Mike to help them as they form an Emergency Committee to Free Luna.

The revolutionists have limited weapons and know that they are facing the vast technological resources of Terra. Their best secret is Mike with his analytical skills and circuits of control. Mike warns them that their circumstances are more urgent than they know when he predicts starvation in only seven years. After some brainstorming with Mike the leaders recognize that they do have a weapon they can use… they will become like David slinging stones at Goliath.

I became fascinated with the society make-up of Luna, the differences resulting from the lesser gravity and the values developed. The marriage and family system was creatively adjusted to accommodate large family groups with multiple husbands and wives. The set up and progress of the Revolution is interesting study in strategies.

Mike’s multiple roles as a friend, co-conspirator, party leader and political satirist make him a wonderful character. I enjoyed Prof’s initial manipulations of the temporary council and later efforts to direct the nature of the ‘new government’. I grew very attached to Mannie who tells the story, first person, as a form of memoir of the revolutionary years. The language is a mixture of English and Russian with a few other words thrown in. Mannie was an easy going fellow who didn’t choose to be a leader but stepped up, with support of his friends, to complete the mission, even if the results weren’t quite as planned.

The story has a great blend of humor, social and political issues, revolutionary strategy, danger, and that touch of irony I now anticipate as an element of science fiction. I highly recommend this as a fun and intriguing story.

Audio Notes: Lloyd James does a great job with the narration. The Russian accent for Mannie is at first surprising but soon becomes friendly and natural. James nails the multiple personalities of Mike and does a good job with the other characters too. I was delighted by the story and the audio.

Goverance

love the historical references
great treatise on need for limited government.
excellent philosophy of life

Harsh Mistress Is A Fun Light Read

Heinlein makes an interesting plot around the idea that the moon is turned into a penal colony and then declares independence. Little of his speculative science (growing wheat on the moon? Electromagnetic slingshots for sending things to earth?) has worked out but he makes some good guesses about the future of computing considering this was written in the late 60's.
Oh, by the way, the narrator fakes a russian accent, which is off putting but you do get used to it.

The more interesting sub plot is about a computer that becomes self aware. This was the fun part that drew me in for the first third of the book. The rest of the story focuses heavily on the political circumstances they had to go through to be free and I found it trying to slog through, maybe because I was hoping for some emotional development that never materialized. The ending was good. Heinlein is a great concept guy and plotter so if that's your thing by all means get this audiobook

Some of the best Heinlein

I enjoyed this book more than the many other Heinlein books I've read. It creates a good sense of place and culture, and remains funny and engaging without dropping too far into the political and social proselytizing that in my opinion mars many of his other works (Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers). Being a product of the time, and of the author's own [off-putting] beliefs, it still contains some of his casual misogyny, which is irritating. It takes a certain mindset to think up a future where an eye-groping following by a wolf-whistle is the traditional way to greet a (and I quote) "fem". But taken on its own, it's a good story.

The narrator is good. I haven't read the paper book, so I don't know how much license was taken in doing the ENTIRE THING in a broken-english pseudo-Russian accent. But after a while I got used to it.

This is the Jewel of my Audible Collection

I was first introduced to this book in an anthropology class named Science Fiction and Social value. The instructor pointed out numerous aspects of the book, from it being written literally with a Russian accent, often dropping articles, to the range of emotions. Lloyd James does an outstanding job of providing the proper emotion and inflection to make this audiobook a truly compelling experience. I have to admit, it was among my first purchases when I joined Audible years ago and I listen to it at least once a year.

An enjoyable listen, beginning to end.

The story is well written, and the narration is top notch. While some of the computer related references are dated, they still hold together with a little suspension of disbelief.

A classic by a master on audio

This book as always been one of my favorite books. A such I reread it every 10 years or so. Having it on audio allowed me to more easily and plesently pass long hours in my car as I traveled from Missouri to Texas and back.

A fantastic story brought to life

TMIAHM is one ify my favorite Heinlein books, and sci-fi books in general. This version was wonderfully read and produced, with clear characterization and natural- sounding dialogue. Highly recommended, both the print version and this audiobook version.

for a story written 50 years ago this book is just

Heinlein was a far seen this story is a fresh today as it was when first published. there are some technical developments he did not predict but given it was written 4 years before our first moon landing he did pretty well.

of course people are people and it is about people....enjoy your journey