Rating: Summary: If you are a fan it's a GREAT book. Review: I've been always sadened by the fact that Heilein did not have time to finish his work. A lot of his novels are related, and, because of his illness, Heinlein never gave us a conclusion on his universe. So, if you like him, don't misss the oportunity to read this book. He wil no be writing any more novels, so better read what he left. This book is charged with characters that feel, and make you understand some of the ideas Heinlein had about the relationship between Women and Man. Sometimes his male characters are "Macho" and his female characters are "Femimists", sometimes women are submissive and men are "Not Macho". All of them are in a futuristic setting, involved in a kind of interdimensional plot. Mr Heinlein had some good and some not so good view points. I really love the way he expresses them even if I don't agree with everything he writes.
Rating: Summary: Just a soap opera. Review: If you like science fiction, then this probably isn't the book for you. Basically the entire length of this book consists of the witty dialogue that the characters partake in. There are a FEW good sci-fi ideas, but nothing actually happens in the book.
Rating: Summary: Great book, even the much-maligned characters. Review: I picked this book up somewhat half-heartedly. But after reading the first three pages, I was hooked. The plot is fast-paced, intriguing, and thuroughly fun. Even the characters,(who many people don't like), are well-done and enjoyable. Gwen Novak(the female lead)is quite believable, despite being a little flat. (I happen to know a women very similar to her) In the end, a great read, makes one glad to have shelled out the 7 dollars.
Rating: Summary: One of my favorite sci-fi works Review: This was the book that made me want to read ALL of Heinlein's works (some of the subjects in this book are featured in other novels as well). I found it to be a nice blend of action, plot, commentary on the world in which WE live, and unbelievable technology; to me, these things are what make up good sci-fi. The narrative character is well-crafted and dynamic. The other lead character seems a little flat, but she is still quite interesting. I first read this book as an adolescent, and as an avid sci-fi fan. I loved it. I recently re-read it after not reading much in the sci-fi genre for a few years, and I still enjoyed it immensely. I'm also a sucker for little, profound quotes from historical figures, and this book is chock full of them. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Heinlein, or for that matter, sci-fi/fantasy in general. Do not read it lightly, however; some of the twists can get away from you if you don't pay attention.
Rating: Summary: An excellent continuation of the 'Future History' series! Review: For anyone familiar with the 'Future History' series, this book is a must read. Although it seems that questions are left unanswered ALL questions are answered in the rest of the series. I would rate this as one of Heinlein's best works, on par with "Time Enough for Love", "Number of the Beast", and "To Sail Beyond the Sunset".The only problem is that if the series is not read in the correct order (which is not technically a series, but a collection of inter-related stories) the reader may not understand characters and references.
Rating: Summary: A couple chapters short of being a good book Review: After reading this, I am still not impressed by Heinlein's work. Perhaps his earlier works were better and I will read those to give him a fair shake. The first two sections of the book was very well written - interesting characters and good plot movement. The last section was too much of a family reunion - lots of hugging and talking but nothing else. Since I haven't read his earlier works, I wasn't impressed with the reappearance of his older characters. Also I think my copy of the is missing a few pages at the end.
Rating: Summary: Half of a good book Review: This book starts out great, with a lot of potential, then about 2/3 of the way through the plot changes and nothing is ever resolved. I thought the first part was clever and fast moving, but it ended with a lot of unrelated thoughts and a ton of characters thrown in, but never developed.
Rating: Summary: A Good Start, but A Let-Down in the End Review: The Cat Who Walks Through Walls starts out well. For the first two-thirds of the book it is a sequel to The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, Heinlein's best post-1960 work. But, in the end, it turns into a sequel to The Number of the Beast, a rather weak book. It would have been nice if Heinlein had resisted the tempation to end the book the way he did.
Rating: Summary: Definitely below par for Mr. Heinlein Review: This one starts out with a clearly proceeding story and plot. Typically Heinlein, the ideals and attitudes of the characters are rooted in a combination of 1930s viewpoints, and Heinlein's version of future-history viewpoints. The main problem is that the explicity detailed and driven plot layed out in the first 1/3 of the book falls apart as soon as the main characters travel beyond their original setting. Everything becomes unclear, murky, confusing, and generally self-indulgent (assumes you've read a large portion of his previous novels, even though there is nothing in the beginning to indicate this one has anything to do with any of the others). This book tries to lay further foundation for things layed out in The Number of the Beast, but while that book does transdimensional travel in a fairly well done (though drawn out) manner, this book can't seem to hang any value on the use of this plot element. It also seems, a little bit, to be a sort of "tie" to To Sail Beyond the Sunset, which is sad.
Rating: Summary: The ending is suposed to leave you hanging Review: Many people seem to think the ending of Cat ruined the book, but it only added flavor. It makes you the reader think about the concept of paradox. You must THINK, and I fear that is the reason many readers disliked the book. Thinking is very hard to do, but that is what RAH has done for years; made his readers figure stuff out on their own. The only real problem I had with this book was the never even kind of explain murder at the beginning. I'd have liked RAH to have given us a clue as to what Richard would have been in for if not for his dinner companions death. Who was he? Anyway just another question I'll have to think about for myself.
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