The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 14 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

In what is considered one of Heinlein's most hair-raising, thought-provoking, and outrageous adventures, the master of modern science fiction tells the strange story of an even stranger world. It is 21st-century Luna, a harsh penal colony where a revolt is plotted between a bashful computer and a ragtag collection of maverick humans, a revolt that goes beautifully until the inevitable happens. But that's the problem with the inevitable: it always happens.

Winner of the 1967 Hugo award, this novel marked Heinlein's partial return to his best form. He draws many historical parallels with the War of Independence, and clearly shows his own libertarian political views.

©1965 Robert A. Heinlein (P)1999 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award, 1967

"Adrenalizing, mind-stretching, conviction-testing...unmatched by any contemporary!" (Theodore Sturgeon)

Very Enjoyable Listen

I first read Mistress as a high school student in the sixties, and then reread it many times over the years. Probably my favorite Heinline book. Lloyd James' performance gave it a new life that insures that it will be one that I now also listen to again and again.

A classic

I agree with the reviewer who commented on the surprise, but workability of the narrators accents. It explains alot about the syntax Mannie uses. You'll quickly get used to it, and it goes far in letting the listener track WHO is talking.

What can I say? It's classic Heinlein at his best. The anachronisms are a bit attention getting, but not so much that it detracts from the story.

This is a must for any sci-fi buff's collection.

R.A.Hienlien is the Master

This book has all the great features in it that make it a fun and fantastic book . The narrator is intuitive in what R.A.H. is saying . The book flows along a smooth line of sci-fi entertainment.
R.A.H. really is the master of sci.fi. , he constantly proves that fact ...

Awesome performance by narrator

I read this book as a teen, and while remembering the framework of the story, the details were lost over time so the story was fresh again. The narration is superb and the accents chosen were interesting and perfect.

It was a hard audiobook to turn off in order to do other things. Riveting story, wry humor, interesting to see how Heinlein foresaw future blends of language and peoples and society. Kind of funny that he missed predicting cell phones or memory chips. The main character was using long extension cords on phones and carrying around reams of computer paper. But, the language mix was delightful!

Lots of fun and an innovative plot.

Share Water Brother if you had any???

OK so I've been captivated by his other works but this time purely science fiction but with a lot of scientific thinking in it AND a great human story at the heart of it. Very detailed and credible for sci fi. Gee it's Heinlein for gosh sakes and what you haven't read it yet?

Perfectly done narration for a great book

Once you pick up the tone and speech methods used by the author, it comes like second nature. This narrator did an excellent job capturing the various accents of the multicultural populace and did the story justice. An outstanding read or listen.

RAH at his very best

Long time RAH fan, I've read all of his works, most of them many times. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is my favorite. Heinlein's economical combination of accurate science, compelling characters, and his great storytelling make his story of the Lunar Colonies a moving retelling of a familiar story. If you can only hear one of his books, you can hardly go wrong with this one. If you are already an RAH fan, you owe yourself to read The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.

The voice acting is awesome

This narrator did such an awesome job with all the voices of the various characters! Wow! The story was pretty awesome, very politically oriented, which was pretty neat for a sci-fi book.

Classic Heinlein. Passable Lloyd James

I always enjoy Heinlein, and this novel is one of his greats. Lloyd James' narration gets a bit strained in places, I can't always tell if Manny is a russian programmer or a mexican bandito. It's not really enough mess up the story, but it was enough for me to remember it a couple weeks laters as I write this.

Great Performance

I think Lloyd James has given one of best performance that I have heard to date in all the Audible books I have listened to. Maybe the fellow who does the Harry Potter books might outshine him, but wow. I love this story. I enjoyed it as a teen and have enjoyed revisiting it as I listened this week.