Farnham's Freehold

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Hugh Farnham is a practical, self-made man, and when he sees the clouds of nuclear war gathering, he builds a bomb shelter under his house, hoping for peace and preparing for war. But when the apocalypse comes, something happens that he did not expect. A thermonuclear blast tears apart the fabric of time and hurls his shelter into a world with no sign of other human beings.

Farnham and his family have barely settled down to the backbreaking business of low-tech survival when they find that they are not alone after all. The same nuclear war that catapaulted Farnham 2,000 years into the future has destroyed all civilization in the northern hemisphere, leaving Africans as the dominant surviving people.

In the new world order, Farnham and his family, being members of the race that nearly destroyed the world, are fit only to be slaves. After surviving a nuclear war, Farnham has no intention of being anyone’s slave, but the tyrannical power of the Chosen race reaches throughout the world. Even if he manages to escape, where can he run to?

©1964 Robert A. Heinlein, 1992 by Mrs. Virginia Heinlein (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Heinlein’s story is as engrossing now as it was in its original form decades ago.” ( Midwest Book Review)

Typical Heinlein

Is there anything you would change about this book?

no

What was one of the most memorable moments of Farnham’s Freehold?

Time travel

What three words best describe Tom Weiner’s performance?

Satisfactory

Was Farnham’s Freehold worth the listening time?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Typical Heinlein - challanging accepted sexual practicies coupled with period social issues and of course science fiction.

A Lesson in Slavery

This book, while a bit loose on science, is a harsh look at the logic of slave societies from both sides. While it could be controversial even now, it is well worth a listen.

Strange

I've listened twice, only to escape from boredom. I had a hard time with the main character. his mannerisms and sense of right/wrong are from a long past era.

Thouroughly Enjoyed

I'm disheartened by all the bad reviews on the goodreads social network about this book because I absolutely loved it. I started the novel honestly expecting not to like it. I bought it for the Heinlein name and decided to give it a try. This book never has a "twist," but took me on a journey that I never guessed. It was an apocalyptic novel with time travel and parallel universes. I identified with Farnham, the hero of the novel, and his sweetheart-later wife. I didn't read this as a political satire like some of the other reviewers (understandable because that was probably how Heinlein intended it); I just read it like a novel. Maybe that's why I enjoyed it more? I did love how a white author from Mississippi chose to write about a future society that dark skinned humans are the ruling class and light skinned humans are slaves. I think it shows insights to Heinlein's soul.

Time changes nothing except my memory!

I read this book in the early 1960's when all the events of this story had a personal relevance.
I had discovered sci-if early on and I must have been in the fifth grade(?) when I found this in the school library. It was the last of the Robert Heinlein books they had that I hadn't read, so it too was consumed by my rampant curiosity.

It's funny, but I don't recall so much racism in the story, but perhaps it was just the time period? Racism and misogyny was more accepted as normal. My sensitivities were a little shocked now on listening to this story, but I had to remember to keep it in context. Admittedly, it's a vital part of this storyline as a retelling of the way things were; it's me and society that has changed over time.

The narration is excellent. The story and the characters are relics of a time past. I can vouch for their authenticity. It is this story that got me to reconsider all I had been taught about the desirability of surviving a nuclear outcome to the Cold War, and it started me down the road to questioning all authority. (You may not wish to share this with your children until they are old enough to leave home?) The 1960's were an interesting time!

Enjoy the story and use it to re-familiarize yourself with a time when a large portion of our population had built a bomb shelter in their back yard. Refresh the memory of fear and unsettled life that we lived through that is covered here so well. Just remember that we survived (?).

Timeless

Where does Farnham’s Freehold rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Within the top ten. A great survivor novel with a sifi twist.

What other book might you compare Farnham’s Freehold to and why?

Anamial farm. Because of the predujice overtones.

Which character – as performed by Tom Weiner – was your favorite?

Duke because he is the universal rebellion.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Survivor waves the American flag.

Loved It!

Would you listen to Farnham's Freehold again? Why?

Yes, because it was a solid story with interesting characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hue of course!

What about Tom Weiner’s performance did you like?

He was great. The girl voices didn't bother me like some

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Nuclear collision, social changes through time, how in the new world will you survive?

Any additional comments?

I think this is a very solid story, I think Heinlein might be my favorite author as of listening to this. Before I visited this novel, I listened to Starship Troopers and Have Space Suit Will Travel, both of which were enjoyable.

Meh... Obviously Dated...

I love time travel novels. If you follow my reviews you will see I have reviewed a lot of them Audible offers. This one is in the lower 3rd of that group. To me, I want a minimum of 3 things in a novel: 1) characters I care about 2) A good plot that keeps me guessing 3) A good pace with enough action to maintain my attention. This book is obviously dated compared to others I have read, which isn't always bad. I feel there wasn't enough time devoted to character development at the beginning, so I didn't really feel any of the emotions of the characters or care what happened to them. Also, it really lacked a decent amount of modern time travel theory. There was some interesting thoughts at times, but I feel nothing was explored or explained enough to be satisfying. There is a real lack of scientific vantage point. The characters quickly end up in another time, but the events that transpired in the future were really boring for the most part. It was heavy on social injustices and taboos but time travel itself was absent for a LONG time. If I would've known what you know now, I wouldn't try this one. Instead, I highly recommend 'Replay - Ken Grimwood', 'Lightning - Dean Koontz' and 'Schumann Frequency - Chris Ride' for the best I've read. I really hope this helps. Later.

I love this book!

This book was my first Science Fiction novel and it set the stage for a lifelong love of the genre. It's a perfect book!.

this is one of those I just can't stop listening

what a masterpiece of work this is, hard to put down and sad to get to the end