Time for the Stars

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Barrett Whitener

Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Travel to other planets is now a reality, and with overpopulation stretching the resources of Earth, the necessity of finding habitable worlds is growing ever more urgent. There’s a problem though—because the spaceships are slower than light, any communication between the exploring ships and Earth would take years.

Tom and Pat are identical twin teenagers. As twins they’ve always been close, so close that it seemed like they could read each other’s minds. When they are recruited by the Long Range Foundation, the twins find out that they can, indeed, peer into each other’s thoughts. Along with other telepathic duos, they are enlisted to be the human transmitters and receivers that will keep the ships in contact with Earth. But there’s a catch: one of the twins has to stay behind—and that one will grow old—while the other explores the depths of space and returns as a young man still.

©1956 ; 1983 by Robert A. Heinlein; 2003 by the Robert A. and Virginia Heinlein Prize Trust (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“One of the superb Heinlein stories that has excitement, urbanity, humanity, rationality, pace, understanding, and is a joy to read.” ( New York Times)

“Rarely has Heinlein pushed his imagination further…A vivid, stirring experience.” ( Chicago Tribune)

“He showed us where the future is.” (Tom Clancy)

timeless

I didn't realize that this book was written in 1956 until the end. the story was very enjoyable.

Pretty Good

Any additional comments?

This book was pretty good, but not quite as good as Stranger in a Strangeland.

Exciting Space Adventure

Any additional comments?

This book was fast-paced and exciting. There were several twists I didn't see coming. There were some weird Heinlein quirks, but they were less noticeable until other reviewers pointed them out. I would re-read this. The narrator was good.

Another fine story by the grandmaster

Another fine story by the grandmaster, Robert A. Heinlein. This one involves humanity's first slow trips to the stars, and the discovery of the fast way.

Dated or intended for the teens?

This was pleasant. Gives lots of fatherly advice.
I imagined several times that Heinlein was writing this for a 16-18 year old progeny.

I definitely enjoyed and appreciated his view of the future from 1956.
He got a lot of it right. I also enjoy and appreciate his imagination.

Vintage: entertaining, ironic and introspective.

Space travel is a reality but there is a problem with getting communication back and forth in a timely fashion. The Long Range Foundation has discovered that twins, or more rarely other family members, can share thoughts even at a distance… through space.

Tom and Pat are identical twins who have always been close but didn’t realize the skill they have until they were tested. They are able to communicate by telepathy. This is good news for the young men and their family as their talents are sought after and will bring good pay. The only problem is that one will travel in space, barely aging, while the other will remain on Earth growing old.

Pat has always been the bit more aggressive of the twins so he steps forward to go. But Tom isn’t ready to take second place this time. All of this distresses their mother and causes some resentment in Tom. But space can be dangerous and things rarely remain the same.

The story is told in first person by Tom. Although there is some space adventure and danger, much of the story is centered on the inner thought struggles that Tom experiences through the situations. This makes it more than just a fun space tale. Although there is retrospection and self-searching the pacing is good so the text moves forward well.

I enjoyed the story. It has the science fiction irony I have come to expect and admire in the classic sci fi stories. I recommend this as a fun vintage sci fi.

Audio Notes: Barrett Whitener does a good job with the narration. The performance is not vibrant or exciting but it suits the character of Tom, especially as a good part of it is set as journal entries. I enjoyed the audio version.

Vintage Sci Fi; this is entertaining, ironic and introspective sci fi. My rating 4.25.

My First Heinlein

I think I must have been around 12 or 13 and just starting Jr High School when my twin sister checked "Time for the Stars" out of the school library. She was disappointed that we weren't telepathic, but I was curious about the book and picked it up. It was the first of many hours enjoying the worlds of RAH. Although this was one of the series of books that Heinlein wrote for young people, it was, and still is, an engaging story for people of any age. Heinlein is at his best when describing ordinary people struggling with extraordinary situations. If you are a Heinlein fan, you won't be disappointed. As with so many of Heinlein's books, I look forward to listening to this one again.

great sf book.

I met Mr. Heinlein in 1962 when I was in the tenth grade in 1962, living in Security, Colorado. My father was an avid reader of SF books and got me involved in reading. I have read Mr. Helnlein's books over and over and now I had a chance to listen to them and the books were and are some of the greatest SF that there are.

one of RAH's best

I love Heinlein..this book is about coming of age and it is awesome. He takes his protagonist from a youth to an adult who knows himself. His wit and intelligence keeps you with the story ...you hate for it to end.

Not as good as it could be

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Narrator ruins this. He is flat in his reading. His lack of interpretation and enthusiasm ruined the story. I would have been happier reading this myself.

What didn’t you like about Barrett Whitener’s performance?

He is not qualified to narrate Heinlein.

Any additional comments?

The producers at Audible need to be more discriminating in selecting readers.