Robert Heinlein is not the world’s worst character writer, but he’s certainly in the top 25. No matter how unique his characters are (whether Mike Smith in Stranger in a Strange Land or Manuel Davis in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress), they are almost always predictable.

This particular book had an interesting premise, but after reading only one other Heinlein book, I knew where it was going and how things would pan out.

Here is the checklist for Robert Heinlein books: 1) slightly naive but lovable main character, 2) attractive, intelligent girl, 3) some kind of bizarre sexual fetish, 4) older, wiser mentor who has experience and eloquence to communicate anarchic views, and 5) plot to serve as device for all of them to exist.

Yawn.