Status
Available
Local notes
PB Hei
Collection
Series
Publication
Ballantine / Del rey (1977), Edition: paperback / softback
Description
Science Fiction. Young Adult Fiction. Jim Marlowe and his strange-looking Martian friend Willis are only allowed to travel so far. But one day Willis unwittingly tunes into a treacherous plot that threatens all the colonists on Mars, and it sets Jim off on a terrifying adventure that could saveâ??or destroyâ??the
Subjects
Awards
Original publication date
1949
Physical description
8.43 inches
User reviews
LibraryThing member MarthaJeanne
Ah, for the good old days when we didn't know anything about Mars and could dream up all sorts of things.
This is a science fiction novel written for teenage boys in an age that is both culturally and scientifically long gone. Heinlein wrote a lot more books in this genre that have aged better.
This is a science fiction novel written for teenage boys in an age that is both culturally and scientifically long gone. Heinlein wrote a lot more books in this genre that have aged better.
LibraryThing member jimmaclachlan
One of Heinlein's early YA books, it's about 2 young boys who wind up on an adventure on Mars. This is a Mars with water (frozen) in its canals, oxygen, but not enough for a human to breath unassisted. So if you like your SF with the latest science in place, this isn't for you. Heinlien's young
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heroes are boy scouts, good kids with good intentions who buck the odds to do the right thing. They make discoveries beyond what the adults have done & face danger. They tough it out & make good, though. Happy ending! I'd recommend it for any adult, but also for any young boy, maybe 3d grade reading level & up. (I'm probably wrong about 3d grade, get another opinion.) The language & ideas are pretty simple, but equally engaging for young & old. There is a moral to the story; be brave, resourceful and - damn the consequences - do the RIGHT thing. I've seen worse messages in books, this one is pretty typical of all his YA books. Show Less
LibraryThing member endersreads
Ohh, Willis! How little we know about you and your fellow Martians! I read this story through in one sitting. It's that good. The only hint at Heinlein's future explosive perversity in the book are the two clergymen that share a house. His readers will find the allusion entertaining. The characters
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are beautifully and simply woven. The antiquarians will find the boys manner of speaking quite retronique. Doc MacRae is my favorite character; and I believe Heinlein has shown the most of himself in this character. Solipsism is a beautiful philosophy. You will find Doc's hatred of "progression" to be most eloquently stated. The story is about 2 boys who hail from a Martian colony--the head of which is one of them's father. Bureaucratic Earth is struggling for control over these untamed revolutionaries who have taken a "manifest destiny" approach to Mars. Think of them as the blaster wielding Libertarians of the future. They share the mostly unexplored-as-of-yet Mars with various native creatures--the most interesting being the mysterious giant tripodal Martians who dwell deep within their ancient and emptied cities, and strange fluff-ball creatures called "bouncers". By the end of the book Heinlein has shown us an extrordinary alien civilization, an emancipated Human-Martian colony, and the fall of the corrupt incestual elite powers of Earth. Inbetween is a grand adventure. Show Less
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Interesting. Simplistic - it's a Heinlein juvie - with standard themes of company bureaucracy, absentee government, and colonial revolt. But then there's the Martians and Willis, and questions about exactly what they are. The boys have their adventures, with the Heinlein-normal sheer stubbornness
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triggering them; it grows into a revolt; and then the complications set in. The story ends a little too soon - we have neither Earth's answer nor Jim's reaction to Willis leaving (the viewpoint character shifts suddenly right at the end from Jim to omniscient focused on the doctor and Jim's father). Oddly enough, I don't think I'd ever read it before. Not bad for a juvie. Show Less
LibraryThing member nateberly
I enjoyed this book a bunch; it was an easy fast read, and a great YA novel. It was neat to find some similarities between this and Stranger. I am still amazed when I read this and realize it was written in 1949.
LibraryThing member RBeffa
short review: A really fun Heinlein "juvenile" first published in 1949. I would call this a "boy's adventure story" of it's time. Jim Marlowe is a young martian colonist who has developed a close relationship with a native martian creature that he calls "Willis". Willis is a kick and is more than a
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pet. Willis and Jim have a close bond that proves to be especially important as the novel progresses and finishes. I really enjoyed this golden oldie and can recommend it without hesitation. The story does show it's age in quite a few ways, esp the tech, but it didn't detract from what to me was a fun adventure and a good story about colonists and society, power and rebellion. The martian society was good in an old fashioned way. Show Less
LibraryThing member Paul.Kohler
Although I am a fan of Heinlein, I was a little (only a little) disappointed with the pace of this book. It was a good book, don't get me wrong, but it seemed the first half of the book dragged on a bit, taking pages to set up a single setting. Then towards the back half of the book, Heinlein
Overall though, the story was good. I read this book over a vacation, and I usually go nowhere with reading a book on vacation. I finished this one a few days after returning. It certainly is a page turner.
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seemed to cover 2 or 3 scenes in a single paragraph. I slight exaggeration there, but it is how I felt by reading the book.Overall though, the story was good. I read this book over a vacation, and I usually go nowhere with reading a book on vacation. I finished this one a few days after returning. It certainly is a page turner.
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LibraryThing member Turrean
It's fascinating to read Heinlein's juveniles again after so many years have gone by. I read this as a young teen, and again perhaps 15 years ago. I was very struck by the libertarian views, particularly after the 2012 election. Heinlein has lots to say on second amendment rights--probably why he
I found I had also sort of blanked out the ways male & female characters interact, too. Red Planet has only a few female characters, very few of whom are more than two dimensional sketches: the annoying younger sister, the sweet mom, the snobby neighbor, etc. It's not like Heinlein COULDN'T create good female characters for younger readers: Betty in Star Beast, Hazel in The Rolling Stones. I suppose he was very focused on his perceived audience (male teens) or perhaps he was focused on what he thought bookstores and librarians perceived as his audience.
Verdict: I'd rather reread Star Beast.
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set so many of his stories on the "frontier" (the last frontier, anyway.) It was his views on education and schoolteachers that I winced over the most. I found I had also sort of blanked out the ways male & female characters interact, too. Red Planet has only a few female characters, very few of whom are more than two dimensional sketches: the annoying younger sister, the sweet mom, the snobby neighbor, etc. It's not like Heinlein COULDN'T create good female characters for younger readers: Betty in Star Beast, Hazel in The Rolling Stones. I suppose he was very focused on his perceived audience (male teens) or perhaps he was focused on what he thought bookstores and librarians perceived as his audience.
Verdict: I'd rather reread Star Beast.
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LibraryThing member TadAD
Not a bad read, but there are other Heinlein young adult novels that are a bit better.
LibraryThing member mccandlessn
simple language and a fun imaginative story make this enjoyable for both young readers and adults alike
LibraryThing member jaddington
Heinlein is one of my favorite authors. This one made me laugh out loud. He has a great sense of humour.
LibraryThing member Kat_Hooper
I read this when I was a teenager. I loved it back then and read it many times. I have fond memories of my feelings for this book!
LibraryThing member nmele
Another Heinlein I read decades ago when I was a callow youth. I remembered it as a ripping boy's adventure with an interesting alien life form whose life cycle is the major mcguffin in the book. The copy I read recently was a newer edition which restored the cuts made by Heinlein's editor at
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Scribner's, but didn't find the restored text added much to the novel. I had not remembered how political this novel was from my first reading, so perhaps some of the politics were cut from the first published text. Anyway, it is still a good adventure story, although our knowledge of conditions on Mars has reached the point where this is an alternate universe or even fantasy novel rather than hard science fiction. It is odd to read about canals with ice and seasonal flowing water and vegetation when our contemporary image of Mars is of a dry planet. Show Less
LibraryThing member fulner
This audiobook was pretty unbelievable. We follow an 18 year old, Jim Malone, as he is to leave his home in the migrant colony of Mars to go off to college.
His pet Willis comes along for the ride, but ther is no pets allowed. Of course he looks like a Volley Ball so he just might make it.
However,
Our Hero must break out of school and warn the colonists. He meets some martians along the way who just might save the day, but is Willis really the key to all of this?
Highly recommended.
His pet Willis comes along for the ride, but ther is no pets allowed. Of course he looks like a Volley Ball so he just might make it.
However,
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Willis has an issue, he can repeat everything he says. Not exactly like a Parrot, he's more sentient than that, but he has no voice of his own. This lead to us learning the real plot to destroy migration and the free market economy of Mars and bring in a forced Communism that will compelled destroy rural Mars. Our Hero must break out of school and warn the colonists. He meets some martians along the way who just might save the day, but is Willis really the key to all of this?
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member theokester
I still haven't read much by Heinlein and consistently hearing that he's the "master" or "father" of science fiction, I keep feeling like I need to seek him out more often. I happened to find a copy of Red Planet at our local used book store so I decided to give it a try.
The edition I read included
The story is a fairly simple one but with a couple of interesting twists to keep the adventure intriguing and to help propel the plot. The book takes place on Mars in the distant future. Mankind has begun colonizing Mars and is currently just a couple of generations into the process. They have numerous colonies on the planet and have a system of migration from north-to-south and back in order to try and stay in the more "temperate" zones of the Martian seasons. Colonists live under the rule of a combination of government and corporate oversight while also reporting to absentee leaders back on Earth.
This is a Mars populated with various forms of Martian life ranging from annoying insects and beasts up to higher life forms capable of scientific advancements that outpace the understanding of humanity. From a scientific standpoint, we have to suspend belief the same as we do with most sci-fi books before advanced space science. Things like the Martian atmosphere and the existence of water (mostly as ice) in the Martian canals have to be taken with a grain of salt.
The first bit of the book moves a little slowly and involves a fair amount of set up. Heinlein outlines the setting from a scientific standpoint telling us about the atmosphere, the temperature, the geology and other features of Mars. He lays out the nature of leadership and social organization of humanity on the planet. He gives detailed descriptions of how they build their buildings and their transportation.
Once the boys get to school, the plot begins to develop and the book moves from a sci-fi narrative about life and social relations to become a standard adventure story. Our main characters, Jim and Frank (along with Jim's "pet" Willis), are outraged at the rules and regulations of the new headmaster. The power struggle takes a turn for the worse and Jim sets out to regain his rights. In the middle of his own vendetta, he and Frank make a discovery that has implications for all of the colonists. Rather than trying to expose the truth at the school (which would have been a fruitless struggle) they set off across the Martian landscape for home. In a struggle for survival they make allies with the Martian people and begin to learn more about the Martians and about Willis.
The adventure progresses with Jim and the colonists in a fight for their survival and their rights. The conclusion of their struggle merges with more narrative about Martian culture. The Martian interactions with the humans takes a surprising turn and then results in a unique contract being formed between Martians, colonists and the people back on Earth. This also includes some strange revelations about Willis which are presented more as speculation than fact.
Overall I found the adventure portion of this book to be fun and the sci-fi world building to be interesting. The writing was very simple and easily accessible to young readers but could still be fun for an adult reader. Much of the political and social commentary would go over the heads of younger readers or would be something they would just gloss over. The concepts weren't especially revolutionary...mostly ideas of standing up for "common sense" rights of respect, survival and decency towards one another regardless of race or species. The characters and their roles were a little too simplified and stereotypical for my tastes. I would have preferred a little more complexity or intelligence in the "villains." The heroes were a little flat and short sighted as well. For any wondering about gender roles, the role of women is virtually non-existent as they are shoved in the background as the house tending mother or the trivialized younger sister...in other words, they felt like the simple female characters from 1950s TV series. The main morale/message of the story is to stand up for what's right and to be brave in hard times...not a bad message but a simple message simply presented.
I found this to be an alright read. Nothing terribly extraordinary or objectionable. I don't feel like I was missing out by not having read it but I don't feel like it was a waste of time. If a younger reader is looking for a fun and simple sci-fi adventure, it's worth picking up. At the same time, I feel like there are plenty of other books that would be a more fulfilling read and provide more lasting messages.
***
3 out of 5 stars
The edition I read included
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an introduction that informed me that this was one of Heinlein's "juvenile" novels or "boy books." The introduction also included a description of the "censorship" that happened by way of severe editing of this book in its initial release (as well as commentary on the heavy editing of Heinlein's other books). The intro made it clear that the edition I was reading had been restored to Heinlein's original edition, reverting the edits that Heinlein had objected to. The intro alluded to a couple of the edits (such as removing/minimizing references to weapon use by the boys and information as to the biological nature of Willis, the Martian "pet" of our protagonist). It's interesting to think of these types of content as potentially controversial or threatening to readers of the 1940s and 1950s. I suppose part of the reaction was due to this being aimed at child readers but my 21st century sensibilities found no objection to the content called out by the intro. Still, I'm not sure what else may have been trimmed or modified so I can't wholly condemn either the editor or the author.The story is a fairly simple one but with a couple of interesting twists to keep the adventure intriguing and to help propel the plot. The book takes place on Mars in the distant future. Mankind has begun colonizing Mars and is currently just a couple of generations into the process. They have numerous colonies on the planet and have a system of migration from north-to-south and back in order to try and stay in the more "temperate" zones of the Martian seasons. Colonists live under the rule of a combination of government and corporate oversight while also reporting to absentee leaders back on Earth.
This is a Mars populated with various forms of Martian life ranging from annoying insects and beasts up to higher life forms capable of scientific advancements that outpace the understanding of humanity. From a scientific standpoint, we have to suspend belief the same as we do with most sci-fi books before advanced space science. Things like the Martian atmosphere and the existence of water (mostly as ice) in the Martian canals have to be taken with a grain of salt.
The first bit of the book moves a little slowly and involves a fair amount of set up. Heinlein outlines the setting from a scientific standpoint telling us about the atmosphere, the temperature, the geology and other features of Mars. He lays out the nature of leadership and social organization of humanity on the planet. He gives detailed descriptions of how they build their buildings and their transportation.
Once the boys get to school, the plot begins to develop and the book moves from a sci-fi narrative about life and social relations to become a standard adventure story. Our main characters, Jim and Frank (along with Jim's "pet" Willis), are outraged at the rules and regulations of the new headmaster. The power struggle takes a turn for the worse and Jim sets out to regain his rights. In the middle of his own vendetta, he and Frank make a discovery that has implications for all of the colonists. Rather than trying to expose the truth at the school (which would have been a fruitless struggle) they set off across the Martian landscape for home. In a struggle for survival they make allies with the Martian people and begin to learn more about the Martians and about Willis.
The adventure progresses with Jim and the colonists in a fight for their survival and their rights. The conclusion of their struggle merges with more narrative about Martian culture. The Martian interactions with the humans takes a surprising turn and then results in a unique contract being formed between Martians, colonists and the people back on Earth. This also includes some strange revelations about Willis which are presented more as speculation than fact.
Overall I found the adventure portion of this book to be fun and the sci-fi world building to be interesting. The writing was very simple and easily accessible to young readers but could still be fun for an adult reader. Much of the political and social commentary would go over the heads of younger readers or would be something they would just gloss over. The concepts weren't especially revolutionary...mostly ideas of standing up for "common sense" rights of respect, survival and decency towards one another regardless of race or species. The characters and their roles were a little too simplified and stereotypical for my tastes. I would have preferred a little more complexity or intelligence in the "villains." The heroes were a little flat and short sighted as well. For any wondering about gender roles, the role of women is virtually non-existent as they are shoved in the background as the house tending mother or the trivialized younger sister...in other words, they felt like the simple female characters from 1950s TV series. The main morale/message of the story is to stand up for what's right and to be brave in hard times...not a bad message but a simple message simply presented.
I found this to be an alright read. Nothing terribly extraordinary or objectionable. I don't feel like I was missing out by not having read it but I don't feel like it was a waste of time. If a younger reader is looking for a fun and simple sci-fi adventure, it's worth picking up. At the same time, I feel like there are plenty of other books that would be a more fulfilling read and provide more lasting messages.
***
3 out of 5 stars
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LibraryThing member tjl
I have a lot of love for this book and especially this audio production. This full-cast audio version has a different voice actor for each of the characters which makes it very much like a radio play instead of a narrated book.
This is one of Heinlein's classic juveniles. Because of that, the
Overall, this is one of my favourite Heinlein novels. If one can get past the dated nature, I'd recommend that they give it a try, especially if you can get the full-cast audio version.
This is one of Heinlein's classic juveniles. Because of that, the
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science is dated as well as the attitudes expressed in the book, especially in the views towards women. Since this is from 1949, women are viewed as to be protected by the men and work in the home. If one looks past this it's a quite entertaining adventure story about 2 boys and a "bouncer" (a small creature indigenous to Mars) making their way across Mars, although it changes in tone around later in the book (I'm trying to avoid spoilers). The only dull part is when the boys are at school, but it's necessary to set up the plot for the rest of the book. Thankfully, it's not too long.Overall, this is one of my favourite Heinlein novels. If one can get past the dated nature, I'd recommend that they give it a try, especially if you can get the full-cast audio version.
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LibraryThing member pgiunta
On Mars, members of Earth’s South Colony prepare to migrate north before winter arrives. It is also the beginning of a new school year at the academy on Syrtis Minor, near the North Colony. Returning to the school are best friends Jim Marlowe, Frank Sutton, and Jim’s pet, Willis. The latter is
This talent comes in handy when Jim, Frank, and Willis arrive at the academy and find themselves subject to the draconian rules and regulations of the new headmaster who confiscates Willis and locks the Martian in his office. While there, Willis overhears a conversation between the headmaster and the colony’s leader, Harold Beecher. After he is liberated by Jim and Frank, Willis recites all that he heard, including a plot to prevent the colonists in the south from migrating, thereby assuring that many will not survive the winter. With the headmaster monitoring all communications to and from the academy, there is no way to send a warning.
Can Jim and Frank break out of the school with Willis and survive the journey back to the South Colony on their own?
Published in 1949, Red Planet is the third in Heinlein’s juvenile novel collection (what might be called young adult in today’s vernacular). It’s a delightful romp with an imaginative take on indigenous Martians and their world’s landscape. I couldn’t help but think of Percival Lowell upon reading about the canals that our heroes traversed during their journey home.
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a round, furry Martian creature with the uncanny ability to remember everything it hears and repeat it with perfect accuracy. This talent comes in handy when Jim, Frank, and Willis arrive at the academy and find themselves subject to the draconian rules and regulations of the new headmaster who confiscates Willis and locks the Martian in his office. While there, Willis overhears a conversation between the headmaster and the colony’s leader, Harold Beecher. After he is liberated by Jim and Frank, Willis recites all that he heard, including a plot to prevent the colonists in the south from migrating, thereby assuring that many will not survive the winter. With the headmaster monitoring all communications to and from the academy, there is no way to send a warning.
Can Jim and Frank break out of the school with Willis and survive the journey back to the South Colony on their own?
Published in 1949, Red Planet is the third in Heinlein’s juvenile novel collection (what might be called young adult in today’s vernacular). It’s a delightful romp with an imaginative take on indigenous Martians and their world’s landscape. I couldn’t help but think of Percival Lowell upon reading about the canals that our heroes traversed during their journey home.
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LibraryThing member jaddington
Heinlein is one of my favorite authors. This one made me laugh out loud. He has a great sense of humour.
LibraryThing member Meggo
This is another typical early Heinlein - full of plucky youngsters fighting against the odds and making unlikely friends. In this case, the bad guys are evil Company henchmen who want to steal the plucky lad's friend, a Martian "bouncer" and prevent colonists from migrating with the seasons to
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avoid the bitter Martian winter. This book would have read a lot better before we received detailed footage from the Mars rover that conclusively proved there were no 'canals' or free standing water on Mars. Still, it was an enjoyable read for a Heinlein fan, gross factual impossibilities notwithstanding. After all, science fiction is not about truth, is it? Show Less
LibraryThing member Treebeard_404
I never read any of the Heinlein juveniles when I was growing up (that I recall, anyway). And not many Heinlein books are available as e-books. But this one was, so I plunged in with relish. I wasn't disappointed, because it was exactly what I had always heard RAH's juvenile works described as.
This
But that's part of the fun of reading old SF: both seeing what was predicted that didn't come true and seeing what did come true that was completely unforeseen. I can simultaneously satisfy the hungry-for-wonder child within meand the somewhat cynical adult I have (somewhat regretfully) become.
This
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book was first published in 1949 and is set in some unnamed year in the future. What I found intriguing and jarring was not the overcome-by-time science (intelligent Martians, canals filled with ice, enough air pressure to forgo pressure suits) but rather the communications and entertainment technology that was still stuck in the 40s. Colonists have to wait for Deimos to be in the sky to relay radio signals, because there are no communication satellites. (I guess Arthur Clarke hadn't predicted them yet.) Phones are attached to buildings. The teenagers don't carry their music with them. All of these changes are relatively recent, and yet are so fundamental to how we live today that RAH's future world seems positively primitive.But that's part of the fun of reading old SF: both seeing what was predicted that didn't come true and seeing what did come true that was completely unforeseen. I can simultaneously satisfy the hungry-for-wonder child within meand the somewhat cynical adult I have (somewhat regretfully) become.
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