• The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

  • By: Robert A. Heinlein
  • Narrated by: Lloyd James
  • Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (10,772 ratings)

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The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress  By  cover art

The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

By: Robert A. Heinlein
Narrated by: Lloyd James
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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)

Featured Article: The Most Stellar Sci-Fi Authors of All Time


Science fiction is a genre as diverse as you can imagine. There are stories that take place in deep space, often depicting teams exploring or running away from something; stories that focus on life at the most cellular level, such as a pandemic tale; and stories that take place in times that feel similar to our own. Depicting themes of existentialism, philosophy, hubris, and personal and historical trauma, sci-fi has a cadre of topics and moods.

What listeners say about The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

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Great classic Heinlein

The moon really IS a harsh mistress! Read/ listened to this 3 times. Enjoy it

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A very good reading of a science fiction classic

I read this decades ago, then purchased it for a relative for Christmas and decided I wanted to listen again too. It’s a fabulous story, that stands up well, if you make a few allowances for differing times. The reading is top notch, and I could easily follow which characters were speaking, though it did take a little getting used to, because my mind hadn’t conjured up those same accents when I’d first read it.

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Initially jarring narration, but grows on you.

The narrator, although initially jarring with the accent, did a great job. The book is read mostly in a psuedo Russian accent which suits the main character well and follows the speech patterns as written. I just wasn't expecting it.

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weird, political, and great voice performance.

This book was narrated very well, great pacing, and political. Weird politics and strange customs were a put off but overall good writing.

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Heinlein at his best

I have read this story multiple times and it never gets old. Some things are dated but it’s solid in the significant science.

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amazing sci-fi

one of the best books I've ever listened to, Heinlein was an amazing author.

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Get this book it's not describable

Mike the computer steals the show! Perhaps the most well written computer in all of science fiction to date.

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Ultimate favorite

This book is one of my all time favorites. Best feel good brain candy that I love to indulge in regularly. It's nice to have it in an audio version now.

This presentation isn't the worst, though it is filled with poorly edited cuts that are sometimes jarring, the voice selections and accents chosen are fairly done and entertaining.

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Classic Heinlein

Story has always been one of my favorites, but this audio brings it alive with proper rendition of Manny’s Russian-inspired accent. Very well done. Loved it.

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