Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Penguin Publishing Group
Description
Time Enough for Love is the capstone and crowning achievement of Heinleins famous Future History series.
User reviews
LibraryThing member edgeworth
I had high hopes for this book. I've read a few of Heinlein's juveniles, and he's by far my favourite of the Big Three sci-fi authors. This was my first exposure to his more serious work, and his politics.
Frankly, I didn't care for it. The book focuses on the life of Lazarus Long, a two-thousand
Sex features quite heavily in this book. Heinlein tells us that love is much more than sex, and then proceeds to have his characters involved in constant orgies - in the bad, socially conservative, tell-don't-show kind of way. The main character alone has sex with several of his descendants, his mother, his adopted daughter and even himself cloned into a woman. The general idea seems to be that everyone should have sex with everyone all the time (even family members!) because sex is great fun! Don't worry about the emotions that would get in the way of such a complicated network of sexual relations, like jealousy and actual love! It's all about being FREE!
The messages the book promotes are so weird and conflicting that they overshadow the (bland) story entirely. Despite Heinlein's attitude towards SEX ALL DAY EVERY DAY, other aspects of the book are firmly entrenched in the social mores of the mid-20th century, particularly regarding women. I counted at least four female characters who insisted that Lazarus simply must leave a child in them, and many other female characters seem to be idiots who fluster around, getting in the way, reliant on a big strong man to show them how to do things properly. Observe this passage:
Dora wanted to stop drinking when her husband did. He said to her: "Listen to me, you stupid little tart, you're pregnant. Understand me? Or will it take a fat lip to convince you? I held out four litres when we served the mules; you saw me."
"I don't need four litres, Woodrow."
"Shut up. That's for you, the nanny goat, and the chickens. And the cats - cats don't take much. Dorable, that much water means nothing split among sixteen mules, but it will go a long way among you small fry."
"Yes, sir."
Reading that out of context, it seems as though you're supposed to disagree with the husband. If only.
And this is to say nothing of Heinlein's politics. Besides the somewhat disagreeable notion of space colonists living the ideal libertarian life by raping and pillaging the unspoiled planets of the galaxy, Heinlein has curious ideas about independence. This is a man who claims that "those who refuse to support and defend a state have no right to protection by that state" (p. 363, New English Library edition) yet also believes that "TAXES ARE EVIL YOU NARCS!" (not a direct quote, but that's the gist of it), a clear contradiction.
On the whole, I think I'll stick with his more light-hearted juveniles from now on.
Frankly, I didn't care for it. The book focuses on the life of Lazarus Long, a two-thousand
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year old man (born in 1912; there's that optimism about the technology curve again) who relates stories from all over his life, throwing in his "wisdom" along the way. Some of these stories are interesting, such as Lazarus' experience in freeing two slaves and then teaching them to live in the real world. Others are not, such as Lazarus' time-travelling escapades to 1917 where he does little more than tell his mother how much he wants to have sex with her.Sex features quite heavily in this book. Heinlein tells us that love is much more than sex, and then proceeds to have his characters involved in constant orgies - in the bad, socially conservative, tell-don't-show kind of way. The main character alone has sex with several of his descendants, his mother, his adopted daughter and even himself cloned into a woman. The general idea seems to be that everyone should have sex with everyone all the time (even family members!) because sex is great fun! Don't worry about the emotions that would get in the way of such a complicated network of sexual relations, like jealousy and actual love! It's all about being FREE!
The messages the book promotes are so weird and conflicting that they overshadow the (bland) story entirely. Despite Heinlein's attitude towards SEX ALL DAY EVERY DAY, other aspects of the book are firmly entrenched in the social mores of the mid-20th century, particularly regarding women. I counted at least four female characters who insisted that Lazarus simply must leave a child in them, and many other female characters seem to be idiots who fluster around, getting in the way, reliant on a big strong man to show them how to do things properly. Observe this passage:
Dora wanted to stop drinking when her husband did. He said to her: "Listen to me, you stupid little tart, you're pregnant. Understand me? Or will it take a fat lip to convince you? I held out four litres when we served the mules; you saw me."
"I don't need four litres, Woodrow."
"Shut up. That's for you, the nanny goat, and the chickens. And the cats - cats don't take much. Dorable, that much water means nothing split among sixteen mules, but it will go a long way among you small fry."
"Yes, sir."
Reading that out of context, it seems as though you're supposed to disagree with the husband. If only.
And this is to say nothing of Heinlein's politics. Besides the somewhat disagreeable notion of space colonists living the ideal libertarian life by raping and pillaging the unspoiled planets of the galaxy, Heinlein has curious ideas about independence. This is a man who claims that "those who refuse to support and defend a state have no right to protection by that state" (p. 363, New English Library edition) yet also believes that "TAXES ARE EVIL YOU NARCS!" (not a direct quote, but that's the gist of it), a clear contradiction.
On the whole, I think I'll stick with his more light-hearted juveniles from now on.
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LibraryThing member velyrhorde
"May you live as long as you like, and love as long as you live."
Sure, Robert Heinlein had a tendency to ramble. Sure, his dialogue sometimes got a bit stilted. The fact remains that his characters were the sort of people we'd all like to have as friends.
Time Enough For Love reads exactly as what
Lazarus bargains with his great-great-etc. grandson: find something new that interests me, and I'll help; otherwise, I'm going to finish what I started and die.
With the help of the (sentient) planetary computer, The Senior discovers he hasn't quite done everything ... yet.
This is my favorite Heinlein book, though I do love them all. I've never had a problem with his rambling - makes me imagine I'm sitting at the feet of a loving grandfather. So what if his mind wanders a bit? The stories he tells are worth it!
The life and loves of Lazarus Long will bring you laughter and tears. The wisdom of The Senior has percolated through our culture until most people don't even realize where their favorite sayings originated. Between this book and Stranger in a Strange Land, I'll bet most Baby Boomers will recognize the quips from their youth.
If you've never read Heinlein, put aside your preconceptions and read this. Current writing styles aside, this was one of the grand, old masters of science fiction. Such authors must be read without comparing them to the slick, modern works you've grown used to. Classic scifi, like classic art of any sort, must be judged against it's peers - and Heinlein could always hold his own in the market. Even with his flaws, the writing stands as an example of what a truly creative mind can accomplish: orlds beyond counting, the man who sold the moon, alien races that boggle the mind, machines and concepts and characters that move into your mind and make themselves at home.
Sure, Robert Heinlein had a tendency to ramble. Sure, his dialogue sometimes got a bit stilted. The fact remains that his characters were the sort of people we'd all like to have as friends.
Time Enough For Love reads exactly as what
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it's proported to be: the musings of an old, old man looking back on his life and his loves. Lazarus Long, born in 1912 on Old Earth, is the oldest living human. He's landed on the planet Secundus, intending to peacefully die of old age, but is kidnapped by his ancestors and "rejuvinated" once more - and they say they need his wisdom! Horrors! What's an eccentric old curmudgeon to do?Lazarus bargains with his great-great-etc. grandson: find something new that interests me, and I'll help; otherwise, I'm going to finish what I started and die.
With the help of the (sentient) planetary computer, The Senior discovers he hasn't quite done everything ... yet.
This is my favorite Heinlein book, though I do love them all. I've never had a problem with his rambling - makes me imagine I'm sitting at the feet of a loving grandfather. So what if his mind wanders a bit? The stories he tells are worth it!
The life and loves of Lazarus Long will bring you laughter and tears. The wisdom of The Senior has percolated through our culture until most people don't even realize where their favorite sayings originated. Between this book and Stranger in a Strange Land, I'll bet most Baby Boomers will recognize the quips from their youth.
If you've never read Heinlein, put aside your preconceptions and read this. Current writing styles aside, this was one of the grand, old masters of science fiction. Such authors must be read without comparing them to the slick, modern works you've grown used to. Classic scifi, like classic art of any sort, must be judged against it's peers - and Heinlein could always hold his own in the market. Even with his flaws, the writing stands as an example of what a truly creative mind can accomplish: orlds beyond counting, the man who sold the moon, alien races that boggle the mind, machines and concepts and characters that move into your mind and make themselves at home.
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LibraryThing member fastfinge
This is almost universally accepted as Heinlein's best book. A framed story similar to the style of Arabian nights, it manages to keep the overarching plot
moving along while including many other interesting stories. _the tale of the adopted daughter_, one of the tales told, is in my opinion the
thing ever to be written in a science fiction novel and the best part of the book. Either this means that I secretly want to read westerns, or I'm extremely
sappy. Honestly, I'd rather not analyse it, thanks.
moving along while including many other interesting stories. _the tale of the adopted daughter_, one of the tales told, is in my opinion the
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most touchingthing ever to be written in a science fiction novel and the best part of the book. Either this means that I secretly want to read westerns, or I'm extremely
sappy. Honestly, I'd rather not analyse it, thanks.
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LibraryThing member JudithProctor
There was a time when I would have given this book maximum rating, and it's still one of my most-read books, but I'm old enough to recognise its flaws as well, now.
Lazarus has lived long enough to see a wide variety of human cultures and sexual mores and this book is basically of stories (of
Although Lazarus is cheerfully immoral in some ways, his most redeeming trait is that he will never abandon a pregnant woman.
However, the most irritating thing about the book is that every women in it appears to want to have children by him. I find this especially improbably in the woman he adopted as a little girl. (I liked the character of Dora, but we're genetically wired to lack sexual interest in people we're brought up with or view as parents. Siblings reared apart are more likely to fall in love than adopted children reared together)
I'm also a lot more sceptical of some of the political views than I was thirty years ago - though I note along with one of the characters that Lazarus does not always practice the policies he appears to espouse.
Lazarus has lived long enough to see a wide variety of human cultures and sexual mores and this book is basically of stories (of
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varying degrees of truthfulness) told by him to his friends as he recovers from nearly dying of old age.Although Lazarus is cheerfully immoral in some ways, his most redeeming trait is that he will never abandon a pregnant woman.
However, the most irritating thing about the book is that every women in it appears to want to have children by him. I find this especially improbably in the woman he adopted as a little girl. (I liked the character of Dora, but we're genetically wired to lack sexual interest in people we're brought up with or view as parents. Siblings reared apart are more likely to fall in love than adopted children reared together)
I'm also a lot more sceptical of some of the political views than I was thirty years ago - though I note along with one of the characters that Lazarus does not always practice the policies he appears to espouse.
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LibraryThing member burningtodd
Every now and then I need to re-read this book. It is quite possibly one of the greatest science fiction novels of all time. Not only is it a phenomenal tale of a life lived wholly, but it is also study of different literary styles and human mores throughout the ages. There are lessons to be
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learned, and a lifestyle to aspire to. Wonderful work Mr. Heinlein. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kendall41
The Nebula Award given this book is only understandable in terms of honoring Heinlein's lifetime of contributions to science fiction. It's the sauntering tale of the sybaritic Lazarus Long who ultimately descends into a testosterone besotted adolescent fantasy (even though he's thousands of years
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old at that point). We may well learn more about the Nebula Award process than about the book's dubious qualities. Like the Academy Awards, it's more about who the author is than the merits of the work. Read it only if you have some motive other than curling up with a good book Show Less
LibraryThing member btuckertx
A great, great book, right up until the end - the sex with his mother was more than a little off-putting. Towards the end of his career (and life) it seems he started adding more and more gratuitous sex to his books. I believe this tarnished his reputation as one of the giants of the science
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fiction genre. Show Less
LibraryThing member jpsnow
I discovered this as a result of seeking out the source of a quote I've seen numerous times: "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders,
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give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." Lazarus Long is a space traveler, then a time traveler, and always a competent man. The story is interesting by itself, but more interesting is Heinlein's commentary on individuality, community, and love. Show Less
LibraryThing member sapsygo
I think that the first half of the book (through the chapter on Dora) is one of the best examples of Heinlein's story-telling ability. I think it is also one of his finest examples of fleshing out a character that I can think of from any of his books. However, the latter part of the book is a bit
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of a disappointment (albeit still enjoyable) and I wish that Heinlein had stayed with the first half of the book rather than spinning into his usual polygamy/nudist thing that so many of his books are saddled with. I really wish that Heinlein didn't feel the need to burden so many of his great ideas and stories with his obsessive need to talk about the joys of polygamy/polyamory... although I'm sure many people (*ahem* teenage boys) read his books for just this reason! Show Less
LibraryThing member AtrixWolfe
This is one of the last books that Heinlein wrote that actually has an ending instead of a random wandering off of the plot.
That being said, the ideas are brilliant, the characters lovable and well written. Don't expect much in the way of conflict here - this is definitely a feel-good book.
Oh, and
That being said, the ideas are brilliant, the characters lovable and well written. Don't expect much in the way of conflict here - this is definitely a feel-good book.
Oh, and
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for anyone who watches "General Hospital" - Lazarus Long has pretty much the same character as "Edward Quartermain". Show Less
LibraryThing member Griffin22
I always really enjoy rereading this book. Lazarus Long has lived for over 2000 years and has seen everything and done it all, from his birth in 1912 (I think) and through the expansion of humans through the galaxy. Part of the book is him telling stories of his life, part is of the ‘present’
The only problem I have with this otherwise engaging sci-fi is the author’s fondness for incest, which he explores in several of his books, arguing that it’s only wrong if it results in children (due to the risk of defects) and otherwise we’ve all just been culturally brainwashed into finding it distasteful. In this book, the worst (but by no means only) example is Lazarus’s passionately sexual relationship with his own mother.
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(ie far future) as his descendants try to find him something new to do so that he will want to keep living.The only problem I have with this otherwise engaging sci-fi is the author’s fondness for incest, which he explores in several of his books, arguing that it’s only wrong if it results in children (due to the risk of defects) and otherwise we’ve all just been culturally brainwashed into finding it distasteful. In this book, the worst (but by no means only) example is Lazarus’s passionately sexual relationship with his own mother.
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LibraryThing member thomasJamo
This is probably my favorite Heinlein book. This is a perfect example, in my humble opinion, of science fiction that is more than lasers and spaceships. This book is even better than "Stranger in a Strange Land" I think. There are many reasons for this, but mostly it includes characters that appear
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in many of Heinlein's other works. You will become emotionally invested in the characters. It is simply a wonderful book and I love it. Show Less
LibraryThing member jakcette
I absolutely LOVE this book. I have read it and I have listened to it several times (the audio version is fantastic with a great reader). It's like having several different favorite books that almost never end.
LibraryThing member SamanthaAdams
A great read! Totally Heinlein and just as good as Stranger in a Strange land.
LibraryThing member VVilliam
A book about love in all its incestual forms. This book has many stories wrapped into one, with Lazarus Long telling stories of his years as he dictates his memoirs. Some parts are far better than others, usually the parts not involving 'the present' and the notes from Lazarus' notebook. The time
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travel at the end seems tacked on, and overall I wasn't impressed. Show Less
LibraryThing member h34th3r
Flat characterization and tedious anecdotes.
LibraryThing member Karlstar
A science fiction classic, in the best sense of the term. This book has action and plenty of examination of the human condition that Heinlein specializes in. Its a little unconventional in some ways, but its also forward thinking in every way.
LibraryThing member heidilove
i nkow everyone adores the lazrus long series. i'm just not there. this is a guy who got paid billions to go on a rant about how we should htake over the universe with our species, practice multi-generational incest if we wanted, and defend how anyone who thinks differently is shallow. i gues i
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just didn't like my brothers and father as much as he liked his mother and daughter, but to each his own. Show Less
LibraryThing member TadAD
Definitely some of Heinlein's most memorable and engaging characters. Also, definitely some of the most heavy-handed examples of his obsession with all things sexual.
Basically, I found all the flashbacks good reads and the action in the book's present not worth the read.
Basically, I found all the flashbacks good reads and the action in the book's present not worth the read.
LibraryThing member tole_lege
It is heresy, I know, but I can not help but feel this would have been a remarkably good novel if it were:
half the length
did not try to cover every social ill the author perceived in society
It is, however, all but iconic for a generation and there are many circles in which one can not understand
It is worth ploughing through but I find myself unable to join in the general accolades apportioned to it.
half the length
did not try to cover every social ill the author perceived in society
It is, however, all but iconic for a generation and there are many circles in which one can not understand
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many conversations without having read - and reread - this book.It is worth ploughing through but I find myself unable to join in the general accolades apportioned to it.
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LibraryThing member Wanderlust_Lost
This book really highlights Heinlein's sexual preoccupation. It's a great book and an easy read.
LibraryThing member giant_bug
Four novellas, spliced together with filler material. Mostly devoted to extensively detailing Heinlein's incest fantasies.
Most sci fi stories about going into the past and getting all Oedipal are played for laughs. This one describes it with obsessive, creepy detail. Yuck.
Also a lot of speeches by
Most sci fi stories about going into the past and getting all Oedipal are played for laughs. This one describes it with obsessive, creepy detail. Yuck.
Also a lot of speeches by
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the characters about how this sort of thing is OK for Nietzschean superman and getting off on it proves you're a Nietzchean superman, so it's really OK. Got all that? Show Less
LibraryThing member szarka
If nothing else, read the chapter titled "The Tale of the Man Who Was Too Lazy to Fail". (One suspects there's a bit of autobiography in there, no?) The "Notebooks of Lazurus Long" sections are also a curmudgeonly delight.
Disclaimer: If gun-totin', polyamorous nudists scare you, best to start with
Disclaimer: If gun-totin', polyamorous nudists scare you, best to start with
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another Heinlein book. Show Less
LibraryThing member EmScape
What would you do if you could live 4,000 years? Try out every profession at least once? Make enough babies to populate a planet? Travel as far as the galaxy goes? Lazarus Long has done all that and more. He’s about to die peacefully when he’s kidnapped and rejuvenated and coerced to tell his
This is the first of the last four books Heinlein wrote, and it was clear he was nearing the end of his life, looking mortality straight in the face and writing his fantasy of living forever. Lazarus shares his collected wealth of knowledge and wisdom, although he’d insist he’s got nothing to say of any worth, and much of it is the best advice I’ve ever heard.
Those not familiar with Heinlein might find his morals a little depraved, especially the more sexually straight-laced, although science fiction often contains stories of societies whose taboos are not our own, and would be scandalized by ours. The only complaint I have about the book is how annoying that is that certain parts are (omitted), then return to the story in the middle of the sentence. It’s not smooth, and although the omissions are mostly for brevity’s sake, I felt like I missed something important. I wish I had access to the complete memoirs of Lazarus Long, but unfortunately they won’t be available for a couple thousand years, and I’m pretty sure I’m not going to live that long.
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memoirs. I could read stories about Lazarus’ life for months, but unfortunately this book only contains two. The rest is action in the ‘present’ (4272 Gregorian), and at the end, an account of Lazarus’ trip back in time to visit his “first family” (parents, brothers and sisters, grandfather). This is the first of the last four books Heinlein wrote, and it was clear he was nearing the end of his life, looking mortality straight in the face and writing his fantasy of living forever. Lazarus shares his collected wealth of knowledge and wisdom, although he’d insist he’s got nothing to say of any worth, and much of it is the best advice I’ve ever heard.
Those not familiar with Heinlein might find his morals a little depraved, especially the more sexually straight-laced, although science fiction often contains stories of societies whose taboos are not our own, and would be scandalized by ours. The only complaint I have about the book is how annoying that is that certain parts are (omitted), then return to the story in the middle of the sentence. It’s not smooth, and although the omissions are mostly for brevity’s sake, I felt like I missed something important. I wish I had access to the complete memoirs of Lazarus Long, but unfortunately they won’t be available for a couple thousand years, and I’m pretty sure I’m not going to live that long.
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LibraryThing member dandv
Heinlein doesn't subscribe to the Many Worlds Interpretation. His hypothesis is that time travel won't affect the future because everything has already happened, including the traveler's actions once they returned in the past. Because they could perform the time travel, it mean they didn't kill
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their grandpa etc. Show Less
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novel — 1974)
Nebula Award (Nominee — Novel — 1973)
Locus Award (Nominee — Science Fiction Novel — 1974)
Locus All-Time Best (Science Fiction Novel — 24 — 1987)
Original publication date
1973
Local notes
World as Myth, 1
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF Heinlein |