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I first read this nearly twenty years ago; it was fun to read it again after so long. One thing I always thought odd about the book was that the hero was black but the cover shows him as being white. I never quite understood why it was published with a white male on the cover. Perhaps that is nitpicking, but still. I didn't like the way it ended; I felt like there should have been more to it. This book ties in with "the moon is a harsh mistress" and several other books by Heinlein. In the waning years of his life, his stories tended to revolve a "world is myth" type of view. characters interacted with characters from other stories he had written as well as characters written by other sci-fi authors over the years. the story begins with our hero having dinner with a beautiful woman. she steps out to use the restroom; a stranger steps up to his table and is promptly murdered. the hero returns to his room and finds his dinner companion waiting for him. they get married and then are promptly set upon by "job's luck" (a string of bad luck) where both are kicked out of their respective homes (apartments), crashland on the moon, are nearly killed by two separate bands of pirates, and nearly arrested several times for the murder of the stranger. The hero ends up finding out he has been chosen for a "Great Purpose" and is vital for the success of a party of "Time Keepers." Along the way, he encounters a cat (hence, the title) who has special transpatial abilities. the story moves fast in some parts, slow in others, and even slower still in the middle. Some of what Heinlein writes merely seems to be regurgitation of what he has written before, but it is still entertaining to see how he weaves various characters from other stories together into an overall storyline. At times he seems angry about how humanity has not "conquered" the stars like he seemed to believe we should have done. He is really big into Malthus, so I am sure he was sorely disappointed when Malthus's predictions failed to come true in Heinlein's lifetime. He has some different (albeit, bizarre) notions on what is okay in terms of sexual conduct. He seems to like polygamy, bigamy, homosexuality, incest, adultery, and whatever other form of sex a person can engage in. I still did not quite understand all of his justification(s) for these aberrant behaviors, but had them he had (he seemed to think that a "modern, free-thinking society" would dispense with all sexual taboos and let people do as they please). In terms of his later works, I liked it better than "number of the beast" and "job: a comedy of justice." It was definitely better than "time enough for love" (which was a very strange book, indeed! almost as strange as "to sail into the sunset"). in terms of his earlier works, I like his juvenile novels best, especially "starship troopers" and "tunnel in the sky." "Puppetmasters" and "door into summer" are especially good, as well. one thing that i did like about this book was how it tied into "the moon is a harsh mistress" and "the rolling stones." *** spoiler!!! *** the book leaves on a bit of a low, unless you carefully read the final conversation between the hero and his wife. she is dying from some wounds, and he believes he is close to dying himself. He finds out he is to be a father (of another woman's child), but the implication of this information is that the copulation event occurs in his future.Read full review
If you've never read a Heinline book, this is as good as place as some to start. With Heinline, some people say, "Oh, He's far to confusing!" or "He jumps around too much." Once you've read the read the book, play it back in your mind. If you can do that, you've just finished a Heinline book. This one is no different. Fast moving, steady action, you just have to roll with it, and hang on till it's completed. May your cup be full, and your water pure.
Always liked this story.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I have been reading Robert Heinlein since I was young. He is a master of Science fiction writing. This book is no exception. Well developed characters and very detailed writing. You feel as though you are in the book itself. I will not spoil any of it by being specific on characters or details. I will say if you like Science fiction, you will love The Cat Who Walks Through Walls.
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