# Can someone tell me what 'The Moon is a harsh mistress' is about? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 27, 2002, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182 "2002-12-27T17:10:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/1 "2002-12-27T17:10:28Z")
I have heard this is a good book, I might buy this but whats it about and did you enjoy your reading when you bought it? ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/2 "2002-12-27T17:29:31Z")
In one sentence or less: it’s about the Moon’s War of Independance. And I thought it was an extremely good book. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/3 "2002-12-27T17:30:09Z")
It’s the only Heinlein book I ever enjoyed. Sort of funny at times. It’s about penal colonies, freedom, “throwing rocks”, ice, computer personality and (a little) romance. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/4 "2002-12-27T17:34:05Z")
Absolutely. The book describes the story behind the Lunar Revolution of 2076, the Moon having been used as a prison colony for exiles and malcontents and having evolved its own culture (Heinlein modeled it on Australia, a country he liked and visited twice during the plotting of the book). Important to the plot (of the book and of the revolution) is what I believe is the first sentient computer in science fiction. The narrator is the technician, a Loonie, who services it, and who is propelled willy-nilly into a position where he has to join the Revolution. Heinlein uses it as a means to explore the theory of political science, including strong libertarian and rational-anarchist stances (and also the value of a constitutional monarchy) espoused by several of the leading characters. The characters _intentionally_ model much of what they do after the American Revolution and, to a lesser extent, a few other historical revolutions, with an eye to getting public support from Americans, Frenchmen, Russians, etc. It also gives Heinlein an opportunity to drag into public view a few unsung heroes he had (e.g., Robert Morris, who went broke financing the American Revolution, is thinly disguised as a Hong Kong Luna banker). ---
**Author:** ![Gravity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gravity/32/14322_2.png) [@Gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gravity)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/5 "2002-12-27T17:36:01Z")
I cried for about 20 minutes when I finished it the first time. I think it was an excellent book. If you’re not sure if you want to buy it, you might check out your local library. It’s pretty close to a classic, and they might have it or can get it for you. ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/6 "2002-12-27T18:23:24Z")
A truly touching and powerful book. You can see the parallels to other fights for independance. I found it truly inspiring. ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/7 "2002-12-27T18:48:20Z")
An excellent book and one of my favorites. My screen name is actually from the book. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/8 "2002-12-27T18:52:00Z")
One of Heinlein’s best, though don’t think the philosophy involved makes any sense. ---
**Author:** ![Podkayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/9 "2002-12-27T18:59:11Z")
Excellent book. Heinlein’s finest novel. It combines All That We Love about Heinlein in perfect balance: hard science, space adventure, sociological speculation, and political rambling. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/10 "2002-12-27T18:59:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RealityChuck \* > \*\*One of Heinlein’s best, though don’t think the philosophy involved makes any sense. \*\* Brave words, given your sig. ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/11 "2002-12-27T20:07:21Z")
Let me add my voice to the chorus urging you to not wait a minute longer to obtain a copy of TMIAHM. It’s a story with plenty of action AND plenty of depth, with thoughts on the nature of freedom and the structure of society. It also has to do with honor, nobility and sacrifice for a greater good. The only potential offputting part for a person new to the book would be the style of the narration. Our hero, a polyglot engineer missing one arm and fitted with a set of prostheses, speaks a mixture of shorthand English, heavily larded with Aussie and Russian vocabulary. Strange for a few paragraphs, but highly entertaining thereafter, Go. Enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/12 "2002-12-27T20:16:25Z")
Problem with narratator’s style is that it’s catching. Many times, read book, find self using same weird shorthand style affected by Manny, but without Russian(?) sentence constructions. Thus, Manny sounds exotic, but me like an idiot. 😃 Nonetheless, agree with many previous posters. Is _great_ book, possibly Heinlein’s masterpiece. Plus “Simon Jester’s” pranks and dirty tricks hysterical. In particular, one where all Warden’s toilets go in reverse. In low gee. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/13 "2002-12-27T20:20:00Z")
Oh, btw: Funny point. When younger, _loved_ conspiracy/revolution stuff, liked actual rebellion, didn’t like diplomacy stuff after. Now, love conspiracy/revolution stuff, like actual rebellion, really love diplomacy stuff after. Tastes change! Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/14 "2002-12-27T20:24:17Z")
It was a slow start for me exactly for the reason **Hometownboy** stated but once you get used to it it is a wonderful read. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/15 "2002-12-28T02:37:19Z")
Also a must read: Other book with shorthand narration by Candidia Maria Smythe-Foster, 11-year-old supergenius and karate expert. Title _Emergence_, author David R. Palmer. Forgot to mention strange narration style. Will beat **Fenris** bunchteen dozen times with wet noodle for stealing gimmick. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/16 "2002-12-28T05:08:45Z")
I heartily second **Polycarp** ’s motion. Emergence is to me the book that comes closest to an intellectual heir to the best of Heinlein. And the amazing protagonist (along with her faithful Anodorhynchine companion) are among the most memorable characters you’re likely to meet. [slight hijack] Has there been any word about David Palmer in the last decade? Last I remember, he had given up writing for money reasons to return to his day job. If that’s all that’s keeping him from creating more novels, we should take up a collection. I’ve been waiting for that sequel to **Threshold** entirely too long now! [/slight hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/17 "2002-12-28T07:36:59Z")
I remember when I first picked up this book at my high school library. I started reading the first page, but was off-put by the strange narration, and almost put it back on the shelf. Then, on the inside cover, I noticed a note written in blue pen. It said something like, “It’s hard to get into, but stick with it. It’s worth it.” So, I decided to check it out and give it a shot. I was never more grateful to someone who defaces library books. 🙂 It’s such a good book. I just wish more people knew about it. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/18 "2002-12-28T08:40:14Z")
The quintessential Heinlein story. Self reliance as a mantra, taken into three or four directions at once, and also turned into an avatar at the same time in the “person” of Mycroft Holmes. And then altruism, as the definition of heroism, starring the same character who begins the book proposing that self interest is the first duty a sentient being owes to itself. I think the philosophy is just fine. The politics is a bit cynical, but then, that isn’t exactly unrealistic either. Duty, honor, patriotism, and of course, paying for your hobbies. ## Tris “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.” ~ Robert A. Heinlein ~ ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/19 "2002-12-28T10:55:00Z")
Let me put it this way, **Ryan\_Liam**. I’ve just realized what some of the Borders Books and Musics gift card I was been given is going for. Believe it or not, I’ve had a hard time finding _The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress_ at libraries around here, and I don’t expect to see it at used bookstores. It’s been years since I’ve read it, but it’s still wonderful. Good characters and characterization, including the computer, a well-done plot, and it’s thought provoking. CJ ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182/20 "2002-12-28T11:25:01Z")
I’ve got a B&N gift card that is a’waiting use… 😃 Thanks for the thread, \*\*Ryan{/b]! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress-is-about/145182.md?page=2)