I Will Fear No Evil

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Anthony Heald

Length: 18 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

As startling and provocative as his famous Stranger in a Strange Land, here is Heinlein’s grand masterpiece about a man supremely talented, immensely old, and obscenely wealthy who discovers that money can buy everything.

Johann Sebastian Bach Smith was immensely rich—and very old. Though his mind was still keen, his body was worn out. His solution was to have surgeons transplant his brain into a new body. The operation was a great success—but the patient was no longer Johann Sebastian Bach Smith. He was now fused with the very vocal personality of his gorgeous, recently deceased secretary, Eunice—with mind-blowing results! Together they must learn to share control of her body.

Once again, master storyteller Robert A. Heinlein delivers a wild and intriguing classic of science fiction. Written at the dawn of the 1970s, this novel is the brilliantly shocking story of the ultimate transplant.

©1970 Robert A. Heinlein (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Magnificent. A science fiction masterpiece.” ( Galaxy)

My first return

Very disappointing, It was hard to finish the book, and it felt more like a cheap paper back sex story than science fiction.

Awful. I'm a big Heinlein fan,but this was a turd.

I couldn't finish this book, it was terrible. I only listened to 3/4 of it because I paid 8 dollars for it.

Booooooooooring

What disappointed you about I Will Fear No Evil?

Sorry Robert but this story was boring.

What was most disappointing about Robert A. Heinlein’s story?

The whole thing

What does Anthony Heald bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Very good reader

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from I Will Fear No Evil?

From chapter 2 to THE END

Any additional comments?

I like most Heinlein books but this one just had no plot. Kind of get tired keeping track of who was bedding who. The basic premise of the book was interesting but it went no where. If it wasn't for the very good reader, and the idea that there must be a story in here some where I would have deleted it after the first hour.

Story may be OK, but can't stand the narration

I'm a Heinlein fan and have loved all of his other books. And the reviews indicate that this one will be worthwhile too. But this one, at least in audio form, is a turn off. They really should have gotten a woman to read this book since most of the relevant characters are female. The narrator doesn't have enough vocal variation to help you differentiate between characters and his voicing of women characters comes off really fake.

I plan to "read" this book. I think I'll be able to handle the dialogue. For example, in the last five minutes, before I gave up (almost all the way through part 1), the words "pretty" "sweet" and "dear" were used too many times. If I'm reading, I can tune out those awful word choices. But the way Heald performs, it is just too annoying.

Now to download another Heinlein book that I haven't read yet. Audible doesn't have many more.

Overall the book is glorified smut

The performance was fine and but the story was dreadful. Anyone familiar with Heinlein’s works expects a certain degree of hedonism in his works. However these excerpts usually add yo the story and a relatively sparse. This book uses its story as a frame device for a series of swinging parties. I guess this would be appealing to 12 year old, but it doesn’t make for an entertaining story.

realy realy bad

So bad I couldn't finish the 2nd of the 3 parts. No science except a brain transplant.

Suprisingly Poor

As a long time fan of Heinlein I am used to him being quite close to the mark when describing the social aspects of the human condition. That is why this book was such a shock. Heinlein so completely misses the mark in his exploration of a modern strong woman that is is pathetic. What no doubt began as a tribute by the author to the emerging power of women in the 1960's, comes off as a wistful dream of a sex starved man who sees little potential in women beyond the ability to stir strong feelings in the loins of men.

Not Heinlein's Best, Not Even Close

I was bored with this book. Not a lot happens once the transplant occurs. There's a mildly interesting court hearing and a ton of mildly interesting sex. Unlike most of Heinlein 's work, the future society is not particularly interesting and there aren't any entertaining philosophical diatribes or characters (other than the protagonist).

Awful Awful Awful

Would you try another book from Robert A. Heinlein and/or Anthony Heald?

I have read and loved many a Heinlein novel... but if I had read this one first I might have missed out on some pretty good stuff.

What could Robert A. Heinlein have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

If he had not written it it would be more enjoyable.

What three words best describe Anthony Heald’s performance?

good

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Ever since I read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress I picked up every new Heinlein book with excitement. In the first moments of this one I was dismayed, disgusted and finally angry. Its not even funny if it was meant as a joke.

Any additional comments?

If you are interested in reading Heinlein DO NOT start with this one.

Not what I expected

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This was not the same as most of Heinlein's other works. It was boring and I felt like it was just an expression of 'free sexuality' that he was exploring in his later life. No action. No real mystery.

How could the performance have been better?

The performance was fine.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Heinlein does know how to craft interesting characters and paint vivid pictures of possible futures.