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Citizen of the Galaxy
In a distant galaxy, the atrocity of slavery was alive and well, and young Thorby was just another orphaned boy sold at auction. But his new owner, Baslim, is not the disabled beggar he appears to be: adopting Thorby as his son, he fights relentlessly as an abolitionist spy. When the authorities close in on Baslim, Thorby must ride with the Free Traders — a league of merchant princes — throughout the many worlds of a hostile galaxy, finding the courage to live by his wits and fight his way from society's lowest rung. But Thorby's destiny will be forever changed when he discovers the truth about his own identity...
282 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1957
292 people are currently reading
6587 people want to read
About the author
Robert A. Heinlein
1,040 books10.4k followersRobert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction, and was thus a pioneer of the subgenre of hard science fiction. His published works, both fiction and non-fiction, express admiration for competence and emphasize the value of critical thinking. His plots often posed provocative situations which challenged conventional social mores. His work continues to have an influence on the science-fiction genre, and on modern culture more generally.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.
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October 15, 2023
Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert A, Heinlein was first published in 1957 and is generally considered one of his juvenile novels as Scribner’s published it.
An astute reader of Heinlein, though, may consider that this was published just a year before Have Space Suit—Will Travel, the last of the Scribner’s juveniles, in the same year as The Door Into Summer and only four years before Stranger in a Strange Land, so his transition from the more typical pure science bildungsroman of his earlier works and a more mature, serious work of the sixties had begun.
Without a doubt, Heinlein reached his zenith in the sixties with The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Stranger in a Strange Land and Starship Troopers (actually published in 1959). Citizen of the Galaxy could be seen as an early embarkation towards these classics.
Telling the tale of Thorby and his journeys as a slave, a beggar, a trader, a soldier and finally as a tycoon, Heinlein uses the tale as a vehicle to explore many futuristic ideas still grounded in everyday life. Heinlein succeeds as he has in so many of his works, by creating an entertaining story while at the same time using the science fiction as an allegory to describe his libertarian ideals about a great many subjects such as family relationships and dynamics, freedom, work ethics, and loyalty.
Slavery is a central subject of the novel and Heinlein spends his time well with some provocative dialogue. At the end of the day, Heinlein is a great writer simply because he tells a good story. Give him that he provokes thought from his reader and that the story works well on more than one level, and Heinlein has once again delivered a good read.
*** 2023 reread -
Debts must be paid.
Heinlein first published Citizen of the Galaxy in 1957 and was the second to last of the published Scribner’s juvenile books. A story goes that he presented his 1959 book Starship Troopers to Scribner’s and they rejected it and that wonderful run of books was over.
Reading Citizen we can see that Heinlein was bursting out of the juvenile mold and was exploring more and more mature themes.
Heinlein’s Bildungsroman is an attack on slavery in all it’s forms, both actual bonded loss of legal freedom as well as more subtle kinds of slavery, where individuals’ free will is sublimated to an outside source.
Finally, it occurred to me that this may be the farthest out in time of his juveniles, maybe of any of his books. We can usually see a connection not just to Terra, but of our civilization. This would need to be hundreds, maybe thousands of years in the future of Heinlein’s “Future History” world building.
An astute reader of Heinlein, though, may consider that this was published just a year before Have Space Suit—Will Travel, the last of the Scribner’s juveniles, in the same year as The Door Into Summer and only four years before Stranger in a Strange Land, so his transition from the more typical pure science bildungsroman of his earlier works and a more mature, serious work of the sixties had begun.
Without a doubt, Heinlein reached his zenith in the sixties with The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Stranger in a Strange Land and Starship Troopers (actually published in 1959). Citizen of the Galaxy could be seen as an early embarkation towards these classics.
Telling the tale of Thorby and his journeys as a slave, a beggar, a trader, a soldier and finally as a tycoon, Heinlein uses the tale as a vehicle to explore many futuristic ideas still grounded in everyday life. Heinlein succeeds as he has in so many of his works, by creating an entertaining story while at the same time using the science fiction as an allegory to describe his libertarian ideals about a great many subjects such as family relationships and dynamics, freedom, work ethics, and loyalty.
Slavery is a central subject of the novel and Heinlein spends his time well with some provocative dialogue. At the end of the day, Heinlein is a great writer simply because he tells a good story. Give him that he provokes thought from his reader and that the story works well on more than one level, and Heinlein has once again delivered a good read.
*** 2023 reread -
Debts must be paid.
Heinlein first published Citizen of the Galaxy in 1957 and was the second to last of the published Scribner’s juvenile books. A story goes that he presented his 1959 book Starship Troopers to Scribner’s and they rejected it and that wonderful run of books was over.
Reading Citizen we can see that Heinlein was bursting out of the juvenile mold and was exploring more and more mature themes.
Heinlein’s Bildungsroman is an attack on slavery in all it’s forms, both actual bonded loss of legal freedom as well as more subtle kinds of slavery, where individuals’ free will is sublimated to an outside source.
Finally, it occurred to me that this may be the farthest out in time of his juveniles, maybe of any of his books. We can usually see a connection not just to Terra, but of our civilization. This would need to be hundreds, maybe thousands of years in the future of Heinlein’s “Future History” world building.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2008
Some of my all-time favorite sci-fi novels were written by Robert Heinlein. Some of the worst, stupidest, most incoherent, hipper-than-thou sci-fi novels were also written by Robert Heinlein. So every time I check out a Heinlein from the library, it is with great trepidation.
I am happy to say that Citizen of the Galaxy is one of the first category – a good Heinlein. It is creative, likeable, possibly even inspiring. The hero, Thorby, is one of his better characters. A lot of things happen to him, but he manages to walk the fine line between comic book superhero and passive victim, while escaping the kind of brash obnoxiousness that sometimes afflicts Heinlein heros. The minor characters are fairly well done too.
When Heinlein really gets it right, he is one of the best writers I know at creating fascinating settings, cultures, and societies. This is true in Citizen of the Galaxy. Like many of his novels, there's a political bent to the ending of the book, but he doesn't draw it out too much, and ends the book quickly but satisfyingly. I have no idea how he does it, but he even manages to make stock transactions fairly interesting.
The plot is pretty coherent with a nice arc to it. It does get a little uneven in places, devoting too much time to details and skipping too quickly over large sections of events the author is less interested in, but which could have been instrumental in really capturing the reader. Again, rambling plots and unevenness of pacing are some of Heinlein's biggest flaws when he's at his worst, but he manages to hold it together here.
I wouldn't rate this as high as my all-time fav Heinlein, The Door into Summer , but it's pretty near my second, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress . I recommend it, even for non-Heinlein-fans.
I am happy to say that Citizen of the Galaxy is one of the first category – a good Heinlein. It is creative, likeable, possibly even inspiring. The hero, Thorby, is one of his better characters. A lot of things happen to him, but he manages to walk the fine line between comic book superhero and passive victim, while escaping the kind of brash obnoxiousness that sometimes afflicts Heinlein heros. The minor characters are fairly well done too.
When Heinlein really gets it right, he is one of the best writers I know at creating fascinating settings, cultures, and societies. This is true in Citizen of the Galaxy. Like many of his novels, there's a political bent to the ending of the book, but he doesn't draw it out too much, and ends the book quickly but satisfyingly. I have no idea how he does it, but he even manages to make stock transactions fairly interesting.
The plot is pretty coherent with a nice arc to it. It does get a little uneven in places, devoting too much time to details and skipping too quickly over large sections of events the author is less interested in, but which could have been instrumental in really capturing the reader. Again, rambling plots and unevenness of pacing are some of Heinlein's biggest flaws when he's at his worst, but he manages to hold it together here.
I wouldn't rate this as high as my all-time fav Heinlein, The Door into Summer , but it's pretty near my second, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress . I recommend it, even for non-Heinlein-fans.
July 13, 2016
Somehow I had managed (over the decades) to miss this Heinlein novel. It like so many others is in many ways a masterpiece. We begin with a young boy who's a slave. His memories of who or what he was before his slavery are essentially nil. On the block he still shows some spirit, enough to get him cuffed.
But he doesn't sell. Being young, small and scrawny no one seems willing to put in the time and money it would take to train him up into a useful slave... No one buys him that is until a local beggar buys him.
We will follow this "person" through the years and as we do we'll find an interesting story concerning the Galaxy and the humans therein.
This is considered (by most anyway) to be one of Heinlein's youth or teen books. However the subject matter and the story telling are on an adult level and I don't think any science fiction fan who tries this one will be disappointed.
So, I've said what I have to say. I like it, I recommend it, enjoy.
But he doesn't sell. Being young, small and scrawny no one seems willing to put in the time and money it would take to train him up into a useful slave... No one buys him that is until a local beggar buys him.
We will follow this "person" through the years and as we do we'll find an interesting story concerning the Galaxy and the humans therein.
This is considered (by most anyway) to be one of Heinlein's youth or teen books. However the subject matter and the story telling are on an adult level and I don't think any science fiction fan who tries this one will be disappointed.
So, I've said what I have to say. I like it, I recommend it, enjoy.
March 15, 2024
This was an. excellent rags to riches story that, although marketed to "juveniles" has adult themes and a great plot. I found it fascinating to see this character arc although I felt the end was a little rushed. It is not as epic as the three major works of Heinlein, Starship Troopers, Stranger in a Strange Land, and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, but it stands its ground and we can see the maturing and expanding of Heinlein's vision and unique style throughout this one. Really worthwhile reading!
April 27, 2020
I haven't gotten to read anything by Heinlein before - and as far as first experiences go, it's not bad at all. It flows well and has a bunch of curious scifi settings and cultures, and raises questions about freedom and what it really means, and that perhaps no one is really free. Also, slavery is bad.
That said, I feel like there was a bit of a missed opportunity with Thorby's heritage. I thought the book was going to go with the route of making him a nobody all along, which would have prompted him to rise up on his own terms, but instead it ended up giving him a lift towards the end. Still good, though.
That said, I feel like there was a bit of a missed opportunity with Thorby's heritage. I thought the book was going to go with the route of making him a nobody all along, which would have prompted him to rise up on his own terms, but instead it ended up giving him a lift towards the end. Still good, though.
October 24, 2018
"No puedes ver un pensamiento, no puedes medirlo, ni pesarlo, ni saborearlo... pero los pensamientos son las cosas más reales en la galaxia"
Esta es la segunda novela juvenil que leo de Heinlein depués de El granjero de las estrellas. En conclusión, no me parece que es lo mejor que he leído del autor pero llega a ser entretenida al fin y al cabo. Es difícil superar la valla después de la obra maestra La luna es una cruel amante, de Estrella doble o Starship Troopers.
El tema principal en "Ciudadano de la galaxia" es la esclavitud y, como es de su estilo, no se queda corto en plasmar sus ideas sobre el tema a través de sus personajes.
A seguir con Heinlein. ¡Todavía queda muchísimo!
Esta es la segunda novela juvenil que leo de Heinlein depués de El granjero de las estrellas. En conclusión, no me parece que es lo mejor que he leído del autor pero llega a ser entretenida al fin y al cabo. Es difícil superar la valla después de la obra maestra La luna es una cruel amante, de Estrella doble o Starship Troopers.
El tema principal en "Ciudadano de la galaxia" es la esclavitud y, como es de su estilo, no se queda corto en plasmar sus ideas sobre el tema a través de sus personajes.
A seguir con Heinlein. ¡Todavía queda muchísimo!
March 13, 2010
4.0 to 4.5 stars. My second favorite Heinlein novel after The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. Good writing, excellent characters and an interesting plot. Recommended!!
March 29, 2016
Robert A. Heinlein ought to be required reading. He thinks differently and through his imaginitive universes, plays out his lines of though into conceivable, possible futures. Here he is dealing with a humanity that is wide spread across the universe, interacting with alien species and creating and adapting to cultures far beyond the imaginations of most, but he doesn't spend time in the wild, huge, mind bending sci fi details, he focuses on the life of a young boy who is forced to adapt to several different cultures and explore what makes each tick. Through this process, one of the more insightful aspects of this book, is the way Heinlein interacts with how customs aren't learned on the conscious level but that we all pick them up unawares, rarely questioning them and looking down upon those who do not fit. We don't do it on purpose and most aren't even aware they are doing it, but Heinlein shows it here deftly and, hopefully, opens our eyes to what it might look like to be the victim of unconscious, cultural prejudice, as well as trying to understand even the prejudiced.
Heinlein had plenty more to say in this book through the course of an engaging story, interesting characters, and plenty of clever dialogue. While this is far from Heinlein's best work, it is worth reading for enjoyments sake and hopefully, through the process, will challenge our perceptions.
Heinlein had plenty more to say in this book through the course of an engaging story, interesting characters, and plenty of clever dialogue. While this is far from Heinlein's best work, it is worth reading for enjoyments sake and hopefully, through the process, will challenge our perceptions.
October 31, 2011
Highly regarded as one of the best of Heinlein’s juvies, Citizen of the Galaxy is indeed, for the most part, worthy of the praise that has been heaped upon it. I do have one qualm with this novel; it seems to lack a nemesis, or antagonist. There is quite a bit that happens – but to what end? There are no “bad guys” so it’s a bit bland at times. The slavers, and slavery, are the closest the novel ever comes to real conflict, but that is handled in such a peripheral fashion that there is never any real sense of threat. In the end, the novel turns into a courtroom and boardroom drama. This is connected to the overlying plot, but the coincidences involved are a bit hard to swallow.
On the other hand, this novel succeeds fairly well as a bildungsroman and as a science fiction novel aimed at younger readers. There is almost no violence and the scientific expositions are fairly straightforward and interesting. There is a lot of allegory and Heinlein gets positively preachy about the importance of family and owning up to responsibility.
So where does that leave me? It isn’t a bad novel by any definition, but it did leave me feeling a bit unsatisfied. Perhaps I’ve just become desensitized…
On the other hand, this novel succeeds fairly well as a bildungsroman and as a science fiction novel aimed at younger readers. There is almost no violence and the scientific expositions are fairly straightforward and interesting. There is a lot of allegory and Heinlein gets positively preachy about the importance of family and owning up to responsibility.
So where does that leave me? It isn’t a bad novel by any definition, but it did leave me feeling a bit unsatisfied. Perhaps I’ve just become desensitized…
August 8, 2025
Re-read.
I have to say I like this better the second time around. I think I judged it harsher for the whole David Copperfield in space kind of vibe--but now? It's really a full circle kind of story, from slave to slaver-busting, with many interesting, educational stops along the way.
Honestly? I think I rather love this novel. It's easily one of Heinlein's best, objectively.
Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews is be interested in reading my SF (Very hard SF, mind you), I'm open to requests.
Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Arctunn.com
I have to say I like this better the second time around. I think I judged it harsher for the whole David Copperfield in space kind of vibe--but now? It's really a full circle kind of story, from slave to slaver-busting, with many interesting, educational stops along the way.
Honestly? I think I rather love this novel. It's easily one of Heinlein's best, objectively.
Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews is be interested in reading my SF (Very hard SF, mind you), I'm open to requests.
Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.
Arctunn.com
June 11, 2018
A rags to riches story that takes us across a good fraction of the universe & into several cultures. It's full of adventure & interesting characters. I really liked the description of the life of The People, 'free' spacers who travel the universe trading & willingly give up their individual freedom in a totalitarian society far more stringent than anything save perhaps Orwell's world of 1984 yet they're seemingly happy & well adjusted. It's one of RAH's juveniles, one of the best of a good bunch. Highly recommended in any format.
March 13, 2017
Originally published on my blog here in August 1999.
At one stage of his career, Heinlein wrote a series of novels aimed at what is now termed the "young adult" market; Citizen of the Galaxy is one of the best of these. This is partly because it has something of a message yet is still entertaining escapism.
The moral is hardly a revolutionary one; it has been pretty generally accepted throughout the twentieth century. It can be summed up as "slavery is evil", and though mainly concerned with slavery as traditionally practised, it contains rather subtler references to extend the idea of slavery to cover any life determined by involuntary rules imposed from outside. The central character, Thorby, basically passes through several different sorts of 'slavery' - ownership by another, membership of a ritually constrained culture, the discipline imposed by the armed forces. (I am not sure that Heinlein would have considered this a form of slavery when enlistment is voluntary.)
The plot of the novel is fairly implausible. Thorby, a slave for as long as he can remember, is sold at the market on the planet Sargon VIII, part of a group of planets (the Imperium) where slavery is an important social institution. He is bought - at a knock down price - by an old beggar, Baslim, and adopted as his son. Baslim is not what he appears to be; he turns out to be a spy dedicated to eradicating slavery. When suspected by the Imperium he kills himself when capture is inevitable; but Thorby escapes with the help of the Free Traders Baslim had used as couriers for his messages.
The Free Traders are basically spacegoing merchant princes, who have subordinated their entire lives to ritual designed to maximise profit and make it possible for a large community to live in the restricted environment of a spaceship. When Thorby finds this new slavery constricting, he is able to join the armed forces of the Terran Hegemony, in which Baslim had been an important officer. The identity check performed on new recruits then causes the most implausible twist in the book: Thorby is actually Thor Rudbek, heir to one of Earth's biggest corporate fortunes, presumed dead after his parents' space yacht went missing when he was a baby.
The implausibility is hidden by skilful writing; the characters are believable' and this makes it one of Heinlein's best books.
At one stage of his career, Heinlein wrote a series of novels aimed at what is now termed the "young adult" market; Citizen of the Galaxy is one of the best of these. This is partly because it has something of a message yet is still entertaining escapism.
The moral is hardly a revolutionary one; it has been pretty generally accepted throughout the twentieth century. It can be summed up as "slavery is evil", and though mainly concerned with slavery as traditionally practised, it contains rather subtler references to extend the idea of slavery to cover any life determined by involuntary rules imposed from outside. The central character, Thorby, basically passes through several different sorts of 'slavery' - ownership by another, membership of a ritually constrained culture, the discipline imposed by the armed forces. (I am not sure that Heinlein would have considered this a form of slavery when enlistment is voluntary.)
The plot of the novel is fairly implausible. Thorby, a slave for as long as he can remember, is sold at the market on the planet Sargon VIII, part of a group of planets (the Imperium) where slavery is an important social institution. He is bought - at a knock down price - by an old beggar, Baslim, and adopted as his son. Baslim is not what he appears to be; he turns out to be a spy dedicated to eradicating slavery. When suspected by the Imperium he kills himself when capture is inevitable; but Thorby escapes with the help of the Free Traders Baslim had used as couriers for his messages.
The Free Traders are basically spacegoing merchant princes, who have subordinated their entire lives to ritual designed to maximise profit and make it possible for a large community to live in the restricted environment of a spaceship. When Thorby finds this new slavery constricting, he is able to join the armed forces of the Terran Hegemony, in which Baslim had been an important officer. The identity check performed on new recruits then causes the most implausible twist in the book: Thorby is actually Thor Rudbek, heir to one of Earth's biggest corporate fortunes, presumed dead after his parents' space yacht went missing when he was a baby.
The implausibility is hidden by skilful writing; the characters are believable' and this makes it one of Heinlein's best books.
March 3, 2015
This book was incredibly jarring. I felt like Robert Heinlein had a good idea...then he had another one...then he had another one. And since he liked all three of them, he decided "What the Hell!" and combined them. The book features a boy named Thorby. At the beginning of the book, he is sold as a slave to a beggar man. The beggar man (surprise) turns out to be more then he appears. He trains up Thorby and turns him into a super smart and clever beggar.
Then he is murdered. We don't know why. I'm serious. I finished the book and I don't know why he died. During the book they make it sound like it was part of a conspiracy, but then they just never get around to explaining what that is. Doesn't matter, Thorby stows away on a ship and part 2 of the book has begun!
Now he becomes one of the "People". Yes, that is their name. They are so busy being superior to everyone that no one ever realizes that they aren't very creative. They're amazed that Thorby is so smart and now he quickly moves up the ranks. However, the captain of the vessel feels guilty because Thorby is obviously destined for greatness. So he turns him over to the inter-galatic army. They discover that Thorby is a long lost heir from Earth and off we go to part 3!
After a lot of conspiracy and complicated jargon, Thorby discovers that part of his new empire is...wait for it...seriously...running the slave trade! How ironic. Thorby vows to clean it up and the book ends.
When I finished the last page, I literally checked to make sure that some of the book hadn't accidentally gotten cut out. I couldn't believe it was such a weird ending.
Also, Thorby had no sexual interest in women. People kept trying to match make him up to girls and he kept getting uncomfortable. Not because he was gay, but because he kept acting like he was six. I just thought that was an odd trait. You'd think he'd at least have been interested in sex, but nothing.
However, it was an easy read and everyone ended up happy, except the bad guys, but they're not supposed to. So I guess I'll give it two stars.
Then he is murdered. We don't know why. I'm serious. I finished the book and I don't know why he died. During the book they make it sound like it was part of a conspiracy, but then they just never get around to explaining what that is. Doesn't matter, Thorby stows away on a ship and part 2 of the book has begun!
Now he becomes one of the "People". Yes, that is their name. They are so busy being superior to everyone that no one ever realizes that they aren't very creative. They're amazed that Thorby is so smart and now he quickly moves up the ranks. However, the captain of the vessel feels guilty because Thorby is obviously destined for greatness. So he turns him over to the inter-galatic army. They discover that Thorby is a long lost heir from Earth and off we go to part 3!
After a lot of conspiracy and complicated jargon, Thorby discovers that part of his new empire is...wait for it...seriously...running the slave trade! How ironic. Thorby vows to clean it up and the book ends.
When I finished the last page, I literally checked to make sure that some of the book hadn't accidentally gotten cut out. I couldn't believe it was such a weird ending.
Also, Thorby had no sexual interest in women. People kept trying to match make him up to girls and he kept getting uncomfortable. Not because he was gay, but because he kept acting like he was six. I just thought that was an odd trait. You'd think he'd at least have been interested in sex, but nothing.
However, it was an easy read and everyone ended up happy, except the bad guys, but they're not supposed to. So I guess I'll give it two stars.
March 23, 2012
Citizen of the Galaxy is a throw back to the days when a complete story could be told in 250 pages or less. A nice 3 Star diversion to a simpler time in SciFi, when "atomics" were all the rage and everyone had them, strictly for defense you know. Heinlein tells a tale of a young lad, sold as a slave to an old beggar--who is not what he seems. The boy grows and has adventures as he goes on a mission for the old beggar that will journey through several different cultures. Heinlein paints 3 different cultures in full enough detail in just a few pages. Very enjoyable. Well worth a couple of hours -- that is all it will take.
January 24, 2009
I've read a LOT of Heinlein, and this book doesn't read as much like a "typical" Heinlein book as others I've read. The main character is very serious --yes, he was a slave, but usually Heinlein books involve a certain witty dialogue that this character lacked.
That said, it was still an amazing book. We meet Thorby as he's being unloaded from a slave ship, and follow him through his life from there on. He's adopted by a begger/slave trade fighter in disguise, Baslim, who he calls Pop. From there, Thorby goes on to be adopted into the complicated "family" of a Free Trade ship, who's captain is fulfilling an oath to Baslim by adopting Thorby. We learn all about the Free Traders through an anthropologist on the ship who is studying them, and I found this break down of their culture very interesting. Thorby is then transferred into the hands of the military, as part of the Captain's oath to Baslim-- find out who Thorby really is.
Begin Thorby's stint serving in the military, gaining status because of his arms defense knowledge learned from the traders. Eventually we find out who he really is, and who Baslim really was. The rest of the book is finished on Earth, where Thorby finally fulfills his destiny, and his legacy to Pop.
As this book was ending, I kept looking at the remaining pages and thinking "no WAY this is going to resolve itself in 10, 5, 2 pages!!". And I was right, it didn't. The end of the book left me wanting more, as I don't feel it fully wrapped up the story. Aside from this, Citizen Of The Galexy was a great read!
That said, it was still an amazing book. We meet Thorby as he's being unloaded from a slave ship, and follow him through his life from there on. He's adopted by a begger/slave trade fighter in disguise, Baslim, who he calls Pop. From there, Thorby goes on to be adopted into the complicated "family" of a Free Trade ship, who's captain is fulfilling an oath to Baslim by adopting Thorby. We learn all about the Free Traders through an anthropologist on the ship who is studying them, and I found this break down of their culture very interesting. Thorby is then transferred into the hands of the military, as part of the Captain's oath to Baslim-- find out who Thorby really is.
Begin Thorby's stint serving in the military, gaining status because of his arms defense knowledge learned from the traders. Eventually we find out who he really is, and who Baslim really was. The rest of the book is finished on Earth, where Thorby finally fulfills his destiny, and his legacy to Pop.
As this book was ending, I kept looking at the remaining pages and thinking "no WAY this is going to resolve itself in 10, 5, 2 pages!!". And I was right, it didn't. The end of the book left me wanting more, as I don't feel it fully wrapped up the story. Aside from this, Citizen Of The Galexy was a great read!
August 2, 2017
"Freedom is a hard habit to break."
Geared more toward a YA audience (before there was such a distinct genre categorizing of said audience), Citizen of the Galaxy centers around the theme of slavery, cultural development, and the meaning of freedom.
It follows a young boy named Thorby—an unbroken slave being sold on a distant planet—as he is purchased by an old beggar. This beggar is far more than he seems, and recognizes in Thorby not only his future potential, but the possibility that he’s come from a free world and may still have family left alive somewhere.
Heinlein’s prose is enthralling. It’s clear he’s exploring some deep and difficult topics, but he doesn’t postulate any easy answers—which makes the premise all the more believable. The characterization comes through deft and strong, even in minor side characters. And Thorby himself, for all his training and cleverness, remains endearingly innocent to the point of obtuse. Readers can’t help but want to see his story have a good ending. Or at least, a conclusive one.
The pacing is a bit sluggish at times, but the cultural nuances and politics that occupy much of these periods of slow-down are often intriguing enough to make up for it. And the worldbuilding is impressively rich, without being overwhelming.
Really good overall, but the ending was pretty loose and anti-climactic. I guess I was hoping for more of a showdown, and less of an acquiescence to a backseat role in humanity’s speculatively never-ending struggle with human trafficking.
Geared more toward a YA audience (before there was such a distinct genre categorizing of said audience), Citizen of the Galaxy centers around the theme of slavery, cultural development, and the meaning of freedom.
It follows a young boy named Thorby—an unbroken slave being sold on a distant planet—as he is purchased by an old beggar. This beggar is far more than he seems, and recognizes in Thorby not only his future potential, but the possibility that he’s come from a free world and may still have family left alive somewhere.
Heinlein’s prose is enthralling. It’s clear he’s exploring some deep and difficult topics, but he doesn’t postulate any easy answers—which makes the premise all the more believable. The characterization comes through deft and strong, even in minor side characters. And Thorby himself, for all his training and cleverness, remains endearingly innocent to the point of obtuse. Readers can’t help but want to see his story have a good ending. Or at least, a conclusive one.
The pacing is a bit sluggish at times, but the cultural nuances and politics that occupy much of these periods of slow-down are often intriguing enough to make up for it. And the worldbuilding is impressively rich, without being overwhelming.
Really good overall, but the ending was pretty loose and anti-climactic. I guess I was hoping for more of a showdown, and less of an acquiescence to a backseat role in humanity’s speculatively never-ending struggle with human trafficking.
December 13, 2018
"Ciudadano de la galaxia" o cómo leer un libro sin darse cuenta. Hay libros que te obligan a repetir que escribir ciencia ficción no es ser sesudo y utilizar teorías y términos rebuscados, intentando mostrar lo buen científico que eres. Una simple idea puede llevarte a disfrutar y a reflexionar al mismo tiempo. Tal vez venía de haber leído otro más denso y, por eso, este me ha parecido como una brisa de aire fresco. Se trata de uno de esos libros en los que, al llegar al final, te sorprendes y te lamentar de que ya haya terminado. Aventuras con su fondo moral en contra de la esclavitud y uan reflexión de hasta qué punto se es libro.
Solo un par de pegas. Echo de menos un poco más de la historia de Baslim porque me parece que no nos cuenta todo lo que podría contarnos de él, aunque eso es simple opinión subjetiva mía. Mi otra pega es referida a Thorby, el protagonista. Se trata de un personaje muy creíble y en seguida conecté con él, pero al final esa evolución abrupta que muetra no me ha parecido muy acertada. Más bien parece que hablara de dos personas completamente diferentes. Y, sabiendo que se trata del mismo personaje, se ve un cambio demasiado drástico. Se rompe esa evolución y nos presenta a un Thorby demasiado serio y "mayor". Por lo demás, un libro muy recomendable para acercarse a Heinlein.
Solo un par de pegas. Echo de menos un poco más de la historia de Baslim porque me parece que no nos cuenta todo lo que podría contarnos de él, aunque eso es simple opinión subjetiva mía. Mi otra pega es referida a Thorby, el protagonista. Se trata de un personaje muy creíble y en seguida conecté con él, pero al final esa evolución abrupta que muetra no me ha parecido muy acertada. Más bien parece que hablara de dos personas completamente diferentes. Y, sabiendo que se trata del mismo personaje, se ve un cambio demasiado drástico. Se rompe esa evolución y nos presenta a un Thorby demasiado serio y "mayor". Por lo demás, un libro muy recomendable para acercarse a Heinlein.
July 2, 2018
My favorite Heinlein - listened to Grover Gardner's excellent narration. Having read and discussed Kim by Rudyard Kipling on SFFaudio I was expecting echoes of Kim to be in this book ... and they were. In a most creative way. It is Heinlein, after all.
July 27, 2016
Es bien sabido el ESPECIAL MENSAJE ALECCIONADOR Y FILOSÓFICO VITAL DE HEINLEIN EN SU TRABAJOS JUVENILES. PERO ÉSTE ES, QUIZÁ, EL MÁS INSISTENTE CON RESPECTO A LA LIBERTAD INDIVIDUAL QUE DEBE CONFORMAR EL CAMINO DE TODO SER, Y EL APRENDIZAJE A BASE DE ESFUERZO PARA LABRARSE UNA VISIÓN ACORDE CON LO QUE SERÁ SU POSIBLE FUTURO Y SU ELECCIÓN EN LA VIDA.
Se podría definir entre UN ‘OLIVER TWIST’ (PERO MUCHO MÁS DINÁMICO Y DIRECTO) Y ‘EL PRINCIPITO’ ( IGUAL DE REALISTA PERO SIN EL TONO PESIMISTA DEL CLÁSICO INFANTIL)
Y es que la presente novela nos habla de Thorby, un esclavo infantil con un pasado nebuloso a la vez que tormentoso (por lo que deja entrever el autor; tremendo y duro), que llega a la capital de los nueve Reinos (un cooperativa de planetas totalmente fascista y autoritaria, regida por Sargon) y es nuevamente subastado. En ésta ocasión un mendigo con licencia: Baslim, el lisiado lo comprará y se convertirá en su amo, pero con el propósito de protegerlo, HACERLE VER LA VALÍA DE SU PERSONA, INCULCARLE UNOS PRINCIPIOS MORALES Y UN CONOCIMIENTO SUFICIENTE PARA QUE TOME LAS RIENDAS DE SU CAMINO.
Ésta primera parte se DEDICA A HABLARNOS DE LOS BUENOS VALORES QUE DEBEN REGIR AL INDIVIDÚO, LA IMPORTANCIA DE LA PRECISA EDUCACIÓN Y CONOCIMIENTO PARA EL DESARROLLO DE CUALQUIER PERSONA ADEMÁS DE LA EXPERIENCIA, IMPRESCINDIBLE, DE CADA UNO, BUENA O MALA, PARA SU EVOLUCIÓN VITAL:
‘Tampoco Baslim hubiese removido los recuerdos [...] tenía la firme creencia que las experiencias de un hombre le pertenecen y ni siquiera las peores deben extraerse sin su consentimiento’
Es un tramo de la novela tierno, aleccionador y con un final de aventuras tipo espionaje, en el que se sienta la premisa del resto de la obra.
En su segunda parte, Thorby viajará a bordo de una nave de Mercaderes libres : La Sisu (por encargo de su ‘Pa’, Lisbom). Allí se sentirá menospreciado al principio, PUES LA NOVELA TOCA, PRINCIPALMENTE EL TEMA DEL ESCLAVISMO EN TODAS SUS VERTIENTES (LOS INEVITABLES CONVENCIONALISMOS Y COSTUMBRES DE TODA SOCIEDAD O GRUPO, Y SUS NORMAS, OSTRACISMO GENERALIZADO), la nave está regida por un, para ellos, evolucionado Matriarcado ( ahora son ellas las que eligen con quién casarse y cómo llevarlo al éxito) pero a toda vista inamovible y semi dogmático, COSA QUE VERÁ EL PROTAGONISTA A TRAVÉS DE UNA ANTROPÓLOGA INVITADA EN LA NAVE:
‘La mayoría de las sociedades- continuó ella- practica tanto la exogamia como la endogamia: un hombre debe casarse fuera de su familia pero dentro de su nación, raza, religión o algún grupo grande’ [...] vosotros no sois una excepción’
Pero, además, ésta parte tiene acción armada con combate y prácticas ( Y teoría científica, descrita de manera simple y aclaratoria), ya que la nave debe eliminar a los piratas espaciales que trabajan para los nueve reinos traficando con esclavos. A todo esto nuestro joven SE PREGUNTARÁ SI A PESAR DE SER LIBRE, LO ES REALMENTE, SI CUENTAN SUS DECISIONES O NO Y SUS DESEOS DENTRO DE LA SISU, ya que por su desvinculación obligada, por costumbres culturales, con dos personas arraigadas a nivel sentimental allí, sentirá mal estar:
‘ [... ] hubo dicho Pa era que un hombre no debía ser más libre que en su propia mente’
Los miembros de su ‘presente familia’ son UNOS CLASISTAS SIN APENAS VERLO, PERO SÍ MÁS ABIERTOS QUE OTROS, CLARO ESTÁ’
En el tercer tramo de la narración, Thorby es trasladado a una nave militar y se encarga de ser un guardián artillero hasta que su cuidador encuentre sus verdaderas raíces..la cual cosa el muchacho nunca pidió. Allí CONOCERÁ EL VERDADERO TRABAJO DE ‘PA’ BASLIM ( UN REBELDE, INCLUSO EN SU CÍRCULO, PERO MUY ADMIRADO, NO OBSTANTE) Y CASI ENCONTRARÁ SU PROPÓSITO EN LA VIDA, PUÉS AÚN LE QUEDA UNA VUELTA MÁS QUE DAR...¡EL CAMINO NO ES SIEMPRE EL QUE UNO DESEA, AUNQUE LA FINALIDAD SEA LA MISMA! (conforme vives, eso queda muy patente, ya lo creo). Allí se sentirá a gusto y SABRÁ SER UN SER INDIVIDUAL Y LIBRE PENSADOR, GRACIAS A SU CÚMULO DE EXPERIENCIAS Y PUNTOS DE VISTA, pero sabe que no debe ser optimista aunque sí positivo con la ESCLAVITUD IMPERANTE DEL PLANETA:
‘[...]Cuando una cultura enferma de esclavismo, ése mal se arraiga en el sistema económico y en las leyes, en los hábitos y la actitud de los hombres. Si se logra abolir se convierte en clandestina [...]la gente de la mente que cree cómo su derecho natural a poseer otras personas’
¿EL LIBRO MÁS INDIVIDUALISTA DE HEINLEIN Y LIBERALISTA? EL JUVENIL, SIN DUDA ALGUNA Y EN GENERAL EL DE MENSAJE MÁS INDIVIDUALISTA.
Aquí el autor plantea al lector si todos somos o no esclavos (quizá parezca manido actualmente) pero para tratarse de un libro juvenil de los cincuenta, es casi un atentado a las restricciones que quieren imponer los fascistas...bien seguro que sería quemado en otra época).
Ya en la última parte asistimos a la llegada a la Tierra de Thorby, la conexión con sus familiares opulentos y codiciosos, y su DESCONTENTO GENERAL CON SU FAMILIA Y ACTUAL STATUS. ODIA LAS VÍVORAS CON LAS QUE TRATA Y SUS VERICUETOS LEGALES, SUS RESTRICCIONES BUROCRÁTICAS, SUS TRAPICHEOS POR EL PODER Y SU, AL FIN, INFELICIDAD SIN DARSE CUENTA. Pero ahí es cuando él TOMARÁ ASIENTO DEL POTENCIAL DE SU SITUACIÓN Y EN ENCAUZAMIENTO DE LAS PREMISAS DE SU MISIÓN VITAL IDEAL: LA ABOLICIÓN DEL ESCLAVISMO, NO SIN SACRIFICAR SU PROPIA LIBERTAD DE POR MEDIO ( la victoria nunca es completa) Y SU CAMINO Y TEMPO IDEAL PARA LLEVARLO A CABO:
‘La gente es libre....a costa de la libertad individual de cada uno de vosotros [...]’
‘Significa dedicarse tanto a la libertad que se debe estar dispuesto a dar la propia..o
Así pues ‘Ciudadano de la galaxia’ ES UNA GRAN FÁBULA ACERCA DE LA ESCLAVITUD INHERENTE EN TODAS LAS SOCIEDADES, LLENAS DE PROTOCOLOS, NECESARIAS PERO DOGMÁTICAS COSTUMBRES DEL HOMBRE, SUS VERICUETOS LEGALES, PODER Y AMBICIÓN, OSTRACISMOS, ANCLAJES Y, PRINCIPALMENTE, SOBRE LA LIBERTAD DEL INDIVIDUO, CON UN MENSAJE IMPERECEDERO: Labrar tu propio yo, buscar tu sitio y destino en la galaxia, sin intromisión en demasía de terceros, mediante tu juicio vital.
DEMASIADO DENSO PARA UN ADOLESCENTE, CREO QUE ENCAJA MEJOR EN UN LIBRO ADULTO DEL GÉNERO.
¿ACASO NO TODOS ANSIAMOS ESO, EN EL FONDO? PERO...¿ES TOTALMENTE POSIBLE?
‘Ya hace unos cuantos años que soy libre y te anticipo que te sentirás más suelto pero no siempre más cómodo’.
Se podría definir entre UN ‘OLIVER TWIST’ (PERO MUCHO MÁS DINÁMICO Y DIRECTO) Y ‘EL PRINCIPITO’ ( IGUAL DE REALISTA PERO SIN EL TONO PESIMISTA DEL CLÁSICO INFANTIL)
Y es que la presente novela nos habla de Thorby, un esclavo infantil con un pasado nebuloso a la vez que tormentoso (por lo que deja entrever el autor; tremendo y duro), que llega a la capital de los nueve Reinos (un cooperativa de planetas totalmente fascista y autoritaria, regida por Sargon) y es nuevamente subastado. En ésta ocasión un mendigo con licencia: Baslim, el lisiado lo comprará y se convertirá en su amo, pero con el propósito de protegerlo, HACERLE VER LA VALÍA DE SU PERSONA, INCULCARLE UNOS PRINCIPIOS MORALES Y UN CONOCIMIENTO SUFICIENTE PARA QUE TOME LAS RIENDAS DE SU CAMINO.
Ésta primera parte se DEDICA A HABLARNOS DE LOS BUENOS VALORES QUE DEBEN REGIR AL INDIVIDÚO, LA IMPORTANCIA DE LA PRECISA EDUCACIÓN Y CONOCIMIENTO PARA EL DESARROLLO DE CUALQUIER PERSONA ADEMÁS DE LA EXPERIENCIA, IMPRESCINDIBLE, DE CADA UNO, BUENA O MALA, PARA SU EVOLUCIÓN VITAL:
‘Tampoco Baslim hubiese removido los recuerdos [...] tenía la firme creencia que las experiencias de un hombre le pertenecen y ni siquiera las peores deben extraerse sin su consentimiento’
Es un tramo de la novela tierno, aleccionador y con un final de aventuras tipo espionaje, en el que se sienta la premisa del resto de la obra.
En su segunda parte, Thorby viajará a bordo de una nave de Mercaderes libres : La Sisu (por encargo de su ‘Pa’, Lisbom). Allí se sentirá menospreciado al principio, PUES LA NOVELA TOCA, PRINCIPALMENTE EL TEMA DEL ESCLAVISMO EN TODAS SUS VERTIENTES (LOS INEVITABLES CONVENCIONALISMOS Y COSTUMBRES DE TODA SOCIEDAD O GRUPO, Y SUS NORMAS, OSTRACISMO GENERALIZADO), la nave está regida por un, para ellos, evolucionado Matriarcado ( ahora son ellas las que eligen con quién casarse y cómo llevarlo al éxito) pero a toda vista inamovible y semi dogmático, COSA QUE VERÁ EL PROTAGONISTA A TRAVÉS DE UNA ANTROPÓLOGA INVITADA EN LA NAVE:
‘La mayoría de las sociedades- continuó ella- practica tanto la exogamia como la endogamia: un hombre debe casarse fuera de su familia pero dentro de su nación, raza, religión o algún grupo grande’ [...] vosotros no sois una excepción’
Pero, además, ésta parte tiene acción armada con combate y prácticas ( Y teoría científica, descrita de manera simple y aclaratoria), ya que la nave debe eliminar a los piratas espaciales que trabajan para los nueve reinos traficando con esclavos. A todo esto nuestro joven SE PREGUNTARÁ SI A PESAR DE SER LIBRE, LO ES REALMENTE, SI CUENTAN SUS DECISIONES O NO Y SUS DESEOS DENTRO DE LA SISU, ya que por su desvinculación obligada, por costumbres culturales, con dos personas arraigadas a nivel sentimental allí, sentirá mal estar:
‘ [... ] hubo dicho Pa era que un hombre no debía ser más libre que en su propia mente’
Los miembros de su ‘presente familia’ son UNOS CLASISTAS SIN APENAS VERLO, PERO SÍ MÁS ABIERTOS QUE OTROS, CLARO ESTÁ’
En el tercer tramo de la narración, Thorby es trasladado a una nave militar y se encarga de ser un guardián artillero hasta que su cuidador encuentre sus verdaderas raíces..la cual cosa el muchacho nunca pidió. Allí CONOCERÁ EL VERDADERO TRABAJO DE ‘PA’ BASLIM ( UN REBELDE, INCLUSO EN SU CÍRCULO, PERO MUY ADMIRADO, NO OBSTANTE) Y CASI ENCONTRARÁ SU PROPÓSITO EN LA VIDA, PUÉS AÚN LE QUEDA UNA VUELTA MÁS QUE DAR...¡EL CAMINO NO ES SIEMPRE EL QUE UNO DESEA, AUNQUE LA FINALIDAD SEA LA MISMA! (conforme vives, eso queda muy patente, ya lo creo). Allí se sentirá a gusto y SABRÁ SER UN SER INDIVIDUAL Y LIBRE PENSADOR, GRACIAS A SU CÚMULO DE EXPERIENCIAS Y PUNTOS DE VISTA, pero sabe que no debe ser optimista aunque sí positivo con la ESCLAVITUD IMPERANTE DEL PLANETA:
‘[...]Cuando una cultura enferma de esclavismo, ése mal se arraiga en el sistema económico y en las leyes, en los hábitos y la actitud de los hombres. Si se logra abolir se convierte en clandestina [...]la gente de la mente que cree cómo su derecho natural a poseer otras personas’
¿EL LIBRO MÁS INDIVIDUALISTA DE HEINLEIN Y LIBERALISTA? EL JUVENIL, SIN DUDA ALGUNA Y EN GENERAL EL DE MENSAJE MÁS INDIVIDUALISTA.
Aquí el autor plantea al lector si todos somos o no esclavos (quizá parezca manido actualmente) pero para tratarse de un libro juvenil de los cincuenta, es casi un atentado a las restricciones que quieren imponer los fascistas...bien seguro que sería quemado en otra época).
Ya en la última parte asistimos a la llegada a la Tierra de Thorby, la conexión con sus familiares opulentos y codiciosos, y su DESCONTENTO GENERAL CON SU FAMILIA Y ACTUAL STATUS. ODIA LAS VÍVORAS CON LAS QUE TRATA Y SUS VERICUETOS LEGALES, SUS RESTRICCIONES BUROCRÁTICAS, SUS TRAPICHEOS POR EL PODER Y SU, AL FIN, INFELICIDAD SIN DARSE CUENTA. Pero ahí es cuando él TOMARÁ ASIENTO DEL POTENCIAL DE SU SITUACIÓN Y EN ENCAUZAMIENTO DE LAS PREMISAS DE SU MISIÓN VITAL IDEAL: LA ABOLICIÓN DEL ESCLAVISMO, NO SIN SACRIFICAR SU PROPIA LIBERTAD DE POR MEDIO ( la victoria nunca es completa) Y SU CAMINO Y TEMPO IDEAL PARA LLEVARLO A CABO:
‘La gente es libre....a costa de la libertad individual de cada uno de vosotros [...]’
‘Significa dedicarse tanto a la libertad que se debe estar dispuesto a dar la propia..o
Así pues ‘Ciudadano de la galaxia’ ES UNA GRAN FÁBULA ACERCA DE LA ESCLAVITUD INHERENTE EN TODAS LAS SOCIEDADES, LLENAS DE PROTOCOLOS, NECESARIAS PERO DOGMÁTICAS COSTUMBRES DEL HOMBRE, SUS VERICUETOS LEGALES, PODER Y AMBICIÓN, OSTRACISMOS, ANCLAJES Y, PRINCIPALMENTE, SOBRE LA LIBERTAD DEL INDIVIDUO, CON UN MENSAJE IMPERECEDERO: Labrar tu propio yo, buscar tu sitio y destino en la galaxia, sin intromisión en demasía de terceros, mediante tu juicio vital.
DEMASIADO DENSO PARA UN ADOLESCENTE, CREO QUE ENCAJA MEJOR EN UN LIBRO ADULTO DEL GÉNERO.
¿ACASO NO TODOS ANSIAMOS ESO, EN EL FONDO? PERO...¿ES TOTALMENTE POSIBLE?
‘Ya hace unos cuantos años que soy libre y te anticipo que te sentirás más suelto pero no siempre más cómodo’.
February 1, 2021
Un viatge iniciàtic al·legòric sobre què és la llibertat. Heinlein aconsegueix que el plantejament d’ideals amb els quals estic totalment en contra, com són el neoliberalisme i el militarisme (per molt bones intencions que tingui l’autor), em facin tenir unes reflexions interessants. A banda, trobem una història suficientment entretinguda (malgrat tenir alguns alts i baixos) i, sobretot, un esbòs de diferents organitzacions socials espacials que se m’ha fet molt hipnòtic.
March 21, 2020
VALUTAZIONE PERSONALE:3,7
Recuperato per pochi euro, quasi per caso, nella bella edizione a copertina rigida Cosmo Oro della Editrice Nord, Cittadino della Galassia rappresenta a tutti gli effetti il primo vero romanzo di R. Heinlein letto dal sottoscritto.
Lo si può senz'altro definire un juvenile, una classica opera di formazione inquadrata in un contesto di ancor più classica sci-fi avventurosa, dalla struttura semplice e lineare ma solida e ben consolidata, da leggere in scioltezza e senza particolari pretese.
Come illustra egregiamente la prefazione all'opera di questa edizione, R. Heinlein è americano fino al midollo e non può far a meno di costruire le proprie opere (in questa lo si può vedere spudoratamente) secondo la visione del mondo americana, magari troppo semplice e banale per noi europei ( non ci sono sfumature di sorta: il bianco è bianco, il nero è nero) ma veicolatrice di un messaggio di ottimismo e di riscatto, al quale l'uomo integerrimo moralmente e instancabile sul lavoro inevitabilmente giungerà, superando ostacoli di qualsiasi sorta.
Insomma, almeno per quanto riguarda Cittadino della Galassia, o si accetta di contestualizzare l'opera considerando l'autore e il periodo in cui essa fu scritta, o risulterà leggermente fastidiosa per i lettori meno "americanizzati", se così li si può definire: è proprio per questo che, tutto sommato, sebbene sia senz'altro un'opera valida sotto molti punti di vista e offra comunque importanti spunti di riflessione (il tema della schiavitù gioca un ruolo centrale nel romanzo; la critica al sistema finanziario senza scrupoli che cominciava ad imporsi nell' America degli anni '60 è anch'essa evidente, per quanto quel sistema sembri essere velatamente accettato, tutto sommato, dall' autore: ma si tratta, quest'ultima, di una pura interpretazione personale), non ha entusiasmato particolarmente il sottoscritto.
Dunque, in virtù delle considerazioni esposte, buon romanzo, scorrevole, solido, ma sicuramente lontano dalle migliori creazioni di R. Heinlein.
Recuperato per pochi euro, quasi per caso, nella bella edizione a copertina rigida Cosmo Oro della Editrice Nord, Cittadino della Galassia rappresenta a tutti gli effetti il primo vero romanzo di R. Heinlein letto dal sottoscritto.
Lo si può senz'altro definire un juvenile, una classica opera di formazione inquadrata in un contesto di ancor più classica sci-fi avventurosa, dalla struttura semplice e lineare ma solida e ben consolidata, da leggere in scioltezza e senza particolari pretese.
Come illustra egregiamente la prefazione all'opera di questa edizione, R. Heinlein è americano fino al midollo e non può far a meno di costruire le proprie opere (in questa lo si può vedere spudoratamente) secondo la visione del mondo americana, magari troppo semplice e banale per noi europei ( non ci sono sfumature di sorta: il bianco è bianco, il nero è nero) ma veicolatrice di un messaggio di ottimismo e di riscatto, al quale l'uomo integerrimo moralmente e instancabile sul lavoro inevitabilmente giungerà, superando ostacoli di qualsiasi sorta.
Insomma, almeno per quanto riguarda Cittadino della Galassia, o si accetta di contestualizzare l'opera considerando l'autore e il periodo in cui essa fu scritta, o risulterà leggermente fastidiosa per i lettori meno "americanizzati", se così li si può definire: è proprio per questo che, tutto sommato, sebbene sia senz'altro un'opera valida sotto molti punti di vista e offra comunque importanti spunti di riflessione (il tema della schiavitù gioca un ruolo centrale nel romanzo; la critica al sistema finanziario senza scrupoli che cominciava ad imporsi nell' America degli anni '60 è anch'essa evidente, per quanto quel sistema sembri essere velatamente accettato, tutto sommato, dall' autore: ma si tratta, quest'ultima, di una pura interpretazione personale), non ha entusiasmato particolarmente il sottoscritto.
Dunque, in virtù delle considerazioni esposte, buon romanzo, scorrevole, solido, ma sicuramente lontano dalle migliori creazioni di R. Heinlein.
October 6, 2012
It just took me fifty years to finish this book.
Yes, it's true, I started this when I was about nine or ten. I had checked it out from the library and I was immediately immersed in the story of the young slave bought by a crippled beggar. But, the life of a ten year old got in the way. And, I had to play baseball, and I had to learn commerce, which I did by trading, marbles, baseball cards, stamps and comics and learned the painful but necessary lessons of childhood like never trade a puree for less than five cat-eyes, and never, ever trust a sixth grader.
My time ran out and I had to return the book or otherwise face the wrath of my father who would not tolerate money spent on expired library books, no matter how reasonable the fines. My family had a lot of pride and paying fines was considered shameful.
Anyway I remembered the title and the author, but sadly the book was always checked out, whenever I returned to the library.
But then many years later (like now) in a nostalgic mood I found an e-book version and decided to finally finish what I had set out to do as a child.
Well, I still enjoyed the part about the young slave and the crippled beggar. But, when it got around to the end with Heinlein trying to explain corporate behavior to young juveniles while sermonizing on freedom and personal responsibility?
It got me to thinking that as a child I was lucky to have left off with only a memory of a young slave adopted by a wise and kindly beggar.
It was like having the good Heinlein without the bizarre parts.
Yes, it's true, I started this when I was about nine or ten. I had checked it out from the library and I was immediately immersed in the story of the young slave bought by a crippled beggar. But, the life of a ten year old got in the way. And, I had to play baseball, and I had to learn commerce, which I did by trading, marbles, baseball cards, stamps and comics and learned the painful but necessary lessons of childhood like never trade a puree for less than five cat-eyes, and never, ever trust a sixth grader.
My time ran out and I had to return the book or otherwise face the wrath of my father who would not tolerate money spent on expired library books, no matter how reasonable the fines. My family had a lot of pride and paying fines was considered shameful.
Anyway I remembered the title and the author, but sadly the book was always checked out, whenever I returned to the library.
But then many years later (like now) in a nostalgic mood I found an e-book version and decided to finally finish what I had set out to do as a child.
Well, I still enjoyed the part about the young slave and the crippled beggar. But, when it got around to the end with Heinlein trying to explain corporate behavior to young juveniles while sermonizing on freedom and personal responsibility?
It got me to thinking that as a child I was lucky to have left off with only a memory of a young slave adopted by a wise and kindly beggar.
It was like having the good Heinlein without the bizarre parts.
March 2, 2014
-El encanto del neoliberalismo, entre el adoctrinamiento y la sugerencia.-
Género. Ciencia-Ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. Thorby es un muchacho vendido como esclavo en el mercado de la Plaza de la Libertad frente al Capitolio de los Nueve Mundos. Su comprador, el mendigo lisiado Baslim que en realidad es un espía, decide cuidar y formar a Thorby para que crezca camino de ser algo más que un esclavo, lo que le llevará a vivir toda una epopeya.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Ciencia-Ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. Thorby es un muchacho vendido como esclavo en el mercado de la Plaza de la Libertad frente al Capitolio de los Nueve Mundos. Su comprador, el mendigo lisiado Baslim que en realidad es un espía, decide cuidar y formar a Thorby para que crezca camino de ser algo más que un esclavo, lo que le llevará a vivir toda una epopeya.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
March 20, 2020
I enjoyed this reread of a classic Heinlein tale of interstellar slavery and piracy, following the life of the slave Thorby and his adventures with Baslim the beggar, the Family etc. Not so wondrous the second time, but still a great example of Heinlein's imagination... published in 1957! 6 out of 12.
July 20, 2024
Heinlein's books are always a lot of fun and the way he writes characters just works for me, even if his early works aren't exactly character focused. I also enjoyed the themes of freedom and family a lot.
April 6, 2012
This book starts out with a beggar buying a young slave boy for very little money and might set certain expectations in one's mind, but the beggar isn't all he seems to be and it's one of the best things that could happen to the boy.
This is one of Heinlein's better juvenile novels. It really breaks down into three distinct parts. The first two are excellent, but the third (and final) part comes across as rushed and kind of thrown together. It's a problem with many of his novels, but most (including this one) are good enough before this to make up for the poor ending.
While books like The Star Beast and Red Planet are light adventure stories this is a more serious book that's better suited for older children. It deals with more adult themes (like slavery) and Thorby (our protagonist) has more important decisions to make than the protagonists in those other books.
So, I'd recommend that younger readers might want to start with another book (such as the two I've mentioned or Have Space Suit-Will Travel) this is an excellent book for a truly young adult audience.
This is one of Heinlein's better juvenile novels. It really breaks down into three distinct parts. The first two are excellent, but the third (and final) part comes across as rushed and kind of thrown together. It's a problem with many of his novels, but most (including this one) are good enough before this to make up for the poor ending.
While books like The Star Beast and Red Planet are light adventure stories this is a more serious book that's better suited for older children. It deals with more adult themes (like slavery) and Thorby (our protagonist) has more important decisions to make than the protagonists in those other books.
So, I'd recommend that younger readers might want to start with another book (such as the two I've mentioned or Have Space Suit-Will Travel) this is an excellent book for a truly young adult audience.
February 1, 2024
This is another of my favorite Heinlein novels. It has characteristics of the juveniles, centering on a young man coming of age, but has more of the plot structure typical of more mature novels.
In another sense, it is a series of short stories following a (to start) young boy who is a slave, then a freedman beggar in the streets, then a spaceman free trader and finally one of the richest men in the galaxy. At each step he takes what he learns to be better in the roles to come. The progression is more varied than most would experience, but it says a lot about the progression through various stages of our life.
I wasn't sure if this one would work as well for the kids, but it turns out to have been a great choice for them, too!
2017: This was one the kids requested to re-listen to! I'm glad that they love it like I do.
In another sense, it is a series of short stories following a (to start) young boy who is a slave, then a freedman beggar in the streets, then a spaceman free trader and finally one of the richest men in the galaxy. At each step he takes what he learns to be better in the roles to come. The progression is more varied than most would experience, but it says a lot about the progression through various stages of our life.
I wasn't sure if this one would work as well for the kids, but it turns out to have been a great choice for them, too!
2017: This was one the kids requested to re-listen to! I'm glad that they love it like I do.
July 11, 2007
The story of a slave boy who becomes free and grows up, making his way through the Galaxy.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable science fiction book.
There isn't much character development, which is a little lame, because it is a story of a young man growing up.
However, the Heinlein's galaxy provides an interesting allegory for many human institutions such as government, free trade, education, and slavery.
The anti-slavery argument presented in this novel is more than just a condemnation of slavery as "racist." Slavery in the galaxy is not racially based. Rather, the anti-slavery philosophy presented argues from an individualistic point of view; it argues that slavery is wrong because it is a violation of personal rights by the government and economic concerns.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable science fiction book.
There isn't much character development, which is a little lame, because it is a story of a young man growing up.
However, the Heinlein's galaxy provides an interesting allegory for many human institutions such as government, free trade, education, and slavery.
The anti-slavery argument presented in this novel is more than just a condemnation of slavery as "racist." Slavery in the galaxy is not racially based. Rather, the anti-slavery philosophy presented argues from an individualistic point of view; it argues that slavery is wrong because it is a violation of personal rights by the government and economic concerns.
April 17, 2012
Subjects covered: slavery, economics, business, the military and their relationship to the above, politics, romance, calculus and orbital mechanics, and some wierd but interesting theories of education.
Note: At the time of writing, most people did not feel that slavery was an issue in their world; but it was. Just as it was in the book's world. Just as it is in ours.
I read this as I read several great science fiction books: because our math class in 7th grade met in the room that was also the Jr. High library, so if you sat in the back you could sneak a book off the shelf and read it during class, as long as your math reading and problems were all done.
Note: At the time of writing, most people did not feel that slavery was an issue in their world; but it was. Just as it was in the book's world. Just as it is in ours.
I read this as I read several great science fiction books: because our math class in 7th grade met in the room that was also the Jr. High library, so if you sat in the back you could sneak a book off the shelf and read it during class, as long as your math reading and problems were all done.
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