IJCH - Inside JaiChai's Head (Meaning: My Warped, Personal Opinions and Musings)
From the Author:
Salutations.
I am JaiChai.
And if I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you before, I'm delighted to make your acquaintance now.
I invite you to interact with everyone, learn, and have as much fun as possible!
For my returning online friends, "It's always great to see you again!"
About the Book -
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress is a 1966 science fiction novel by American writer Robert A. Heinlein, about a lunar colony's revolt against rule from Earth.
The novel expresses and discusses libertarian ideals.
It is respected for its credible presentation of a comprehensively imagined future human society on both the Earth and the Moon.
Originally serialized in Worlds of If (December 1965, January, February, March, April 1966), the book was nominated for the Nebula Award in 1966. It received the Hugo Award for best science fiction novel in 1967.
Plot Teaser -
At the time of the story, 2075, the Moon (Luna) is used as a penal colony by Earth's government, with the inhabitants living in underground cities.
Most inhabitants (called "Loonies") are criminals, political exiles, or their descendants. The total population is about three million, with men outnumbering women two to one, so that polyandry is the norm.
Although Earth's Protector of the Lunar Colonies (called the "Warden") holds power, in practice, little intervention exists in the loose Lunar society.
My Thoughts on the Book -
It never fails to amaze me how Science fiction writers of my childhood foreshadowed our current (and near future) reality.
In this 1966 book, Heinlein introduces sentient AI.
He also portrays a time when Elon Musk's goal of interplanetary civilization has been achieved.
No doubt, with the description of colonization, oppression, and political power struggles, this book had an early influence on the later, popular "Ascension" novel and Netflix series.
I enjoyed "listening" to the unfolding of events from the main character's (Manuel "Mannie" Garcia O'Kelly-Davis) point of view. Mannie is a native-born, slightly cynical inhabitant of Luna, who after losing his lower left arm in a laser-drilling accident, became a computer technician.
In fact, the audio version of this book uses a voice with a Russian accent - complete with truncated English and Russian idioms.
Verdict?
A Big Thumbs Up!
I recommend this book for both Sci-Fi and non-Sci-Fi fans alike; mainly because, IMHO, I suspect that true life struggles between "Earthies" and our descendants living on the Moon or the Red Planet may come sooner than we think!
Namaste, JaiChai
Really Appreciate You Stopping By.
Truly hope to see you again!
About the Author -
Believing that school was too boring, he dropped out of High School early; only to earn an AA, BS and MBA in less than 4 years much later in life – while working full-time as a Navy/Marine Corps Medic.
In spite of a fear of heights and deep water, he performed high altitude, free-fall parachute jumps and hazardous diving ops in deep, open ocean water.
After 24 years of active duty, he retired in Asia.
Since then, he's been a full-time, single papa and actively pursuing his varied passions (Writing, Disruptive Technology, Computer Science and Cryptocurrency - plus more hobbies too boring or bizarre for most folk).
He lives on an island paradise with his teenage daughter, longtime girlfriend and three dogs.