He starts the story by alluding to a common sf cliche. He then plays with it (while simultaneously playing with words). Deety’s no bimbo; she’s a genius herself. Jake isn’t insane, but he is an asshole (or at least a curmudgeon). Zeb both is and is not a coward. Every time the characters are in a truly untenable situation, they get rescued by what might as well be the hand of the author–who puts himself into the story as oddly ineffectual villains with anagrammatic names.
Neal O’Heret Brain, L. Ron O’Leem/Mellrooney (that one I never got), the two ‘companes’ that contracted to put on the Convention To End All Conventions – which are respectively anagrams of Robert’s and Virginia’s full names…
Agreed. At the time TNOTB was published I had already read everything RAH had written and was so psyched that a new book was coming. As I read it I kept saying to myself, this can’t be happening. I tried rereading it 10 years later and my opinion didn’t change. Of all Heinlein’s fiction books from that point on I only enjoyed Job and Friday.
Hmm. I don’t know if that makes me feel better or not. But well done little sister #2!
Thanks Polycarp too for the names. You know something, Brian Aldiss missed the whole joke thing in Trillion Year Spree, his book of science fiction criticism.
Next time I get to Beast, I’m sure I’ll enjoy it more.
It should make you feel better. She’s incredibly smart. Being outwitted by her is like being outmuscled by Fezzik from The Princess Bride in that it says nothing in particular about how smart you are.
Thanks Polycarp too for the names. You
You should get the audiobook, the reader does mannie with this spiffy loonie accent, just enough russian in it to make me weak in the knees [i lurves me german/russian accents in a guy =)]
:smack: You missed the BIGGEST in joke in the entire book!
One of the most notable pulp SF books around is John Carter of Mars, the start of the whole Barsoom line of novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs. John Carter is a captain … when he gets mysterously transported to mars, he ends up falling in love with Dejah Thoris, Deetee’s name is Dejah Thoris <whatever the hell her last name is in the book, it has been a while since I read the book. I really need to dig out my Heinlein and reread them]
So, it is absolutely hysterical that Captain John Carter [of earth] meets and falls for Dejah Thoris [nicknamed Deetee]
That is also why he keeps making ‘courtly gestures’ bowing to her and calling her My Lady and so forth.
Heinelin makes references to a lot of classical SF characters and situations in the book, but it takes someone who has actually read a lot of Golden Age SF to get the in jokes. Sort of like it takes someone who understands Fen and fandom to understand the in jokes in Fallen Angels.
I think the first John Carter book can be found online in Gutenberg, but it is sort of turgid reading if you arent willing to sit back and enjoy florid old school SF.
Good point, I had already read all of the Mars books and Lensman books and etc. to get the humor and jokes and shout-outs Beast. I should re-read it again. It has been a long time now.
Regarding Heinlein women, often redheads. The strong independant type.
These are all Virginia Heinlein, his second and long time wife. The physical description of the female characters may change but the personality always stays the same, that of his beloved wife Jinny.
Well, I have two younger sisters too, and though they are mothers with children now, the big brother vs. two younger sisters who fit closer than a glove dynamic was what I was referring to. But thanks for the clarification. I liked your analogy.
This may have been the only joke in the book I got. Though I haven’t read the Barsoom novels, I believe the penny dropped when the “Captain John Carter of Virginia” business was mentioned and led to Zeb guessing that Deety stood for Dejah Thoris. Wasn’t there a “thoat” pun around this time? Anyway, I picked up this aspect, but not on the other classical SF characters you allude to.
But well done little sister