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Review Summaries
" The Citizen of the Galaxy is Robert Heinlein's classic coming science-fiction coming of age novel. The books starts with a young unknown boy being sold as a slave in a backwater, brutal part of the galaxy known the Sargon. Baslim the beggar buys him at the auction not to use him as a slave, but to raise him as a son.
This book takes over several years and several settings. The first part describes Thorby's (our hero) adventures on the Sargon as a young boy. Thorby escapes the planet on a trader ship after Baslim's death. The second part of the book describes Thorby's life amoung the pecuilar society of the traders as a youth. The third part desribes the search for his birth family with the intergalactic space police force. The final part takes place on earth after he found his birth parents on earth as an adult. Thorby works on earth to eradicate slavery.
"
Jamie, Resident Robert A. Heinlein Scholar
"We are introduced to Thorby as a slave, being auctioned off. From that point, we follow his exceptional life as he learns about himself, the galaxy, and his place in it. Thorby's owner ("Pop"), Baslim, is one of Heinlein's standard rough and tumble's, an endearing character."
Kim Marks, Resident Robert A. Heinlein Scholar
"Heinlein's best Juvenile novel. Involves fight against slace trade. "
Philip A. Petmecky, Resident Robert A. Heinlein Scholar
"This is probably Heinlein's finest juvenile novel. It explores the themes of slavery, betrayal and courage. The settings are vivid, varied and imaginative. This is probably one of Heinlein's most strongly-plotted novels."
Jack Kelly, Resident Robert A. Heinlein Scholar
"Thorby starts out a slave owned by a beggar. But he works his way up in this rags to riches story from slave to begger to merchantman to soldier to ultrarich. This story focuses on what it's like for him as he joins new cultures."
Steve, Resident Robert A. Heinlein Scholar
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Overall Review
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Tone of book
- very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- science fiction story
Coming of age
Yes
Youngster becomes
- an adult (general)
Training/Apprent.
Yes
Working up the ranks of...
- business
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture
Yes
Culture clash-
- one human from different culture of other humans
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- slave
Age:
- a teen
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- none
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- business executive
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Terrain
- Space, need spacesuit
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body:
- humans in a futuristic society
- very controlled society
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Planet outside solar system?
Yes
Takes place in spaceship?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
- moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- a moderate amount of scientific explanation
Sex in book?
Yes
How much dialogue?
- little dialog
TOP SCHOLAR: