Kian Ryan reviewed Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein
Review of 'Double Star' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
As far as I can tell, Heinlein has two big political novels: Starship Troopers and Double Star. I first read Starship Troopers over Christmas 2012, and to be honest I rather enjoyed it. Yes, there's a major military glorification, and Heinlein's views that citizenship should be earnt through service are not for everyone, but I could respect the viewpoint, and the story was well paced.
Double Star is a completely different approach. We start with a definitely unlikeable protagonist who is so up his own backside that today he would probably carry a business card saying "Rockstar Developer". An out of work actor from the age of luvvies, he's hired to act as a double on behalf of a major political figure that's gone missing. Over time, he starts to become the figure, even thinking like him, until not much of the original person remains. The politics are distinctly different, …
As far as I can tell, Heinlein has two big political novels: Starship Troopers and Double Star. I first read Starship Troopers over Christmas 2012, and to be honest I rather enjoyed it. Yes, there's a major military glorification, and Heinlein's views that citizenship should be earnt through service are not for everyone, but I could respect the viewpoint, and the story was well paced.
Double Star is a completely different approach. We start with a definitely unlikeable protagonist who is so up his own backside that today he would probably carry a business card saying "Rockstar Developer". An out of work actor from the age of luvvies, he's hired to act as a double on behalf of a major political figure that's gone missing. Over time, he starts to become the figure, even thinking like him, until not much of the original person remains. The politics are distinctly different, and Heinlein expresses a viewpoint of freedom, trade and expansion. It feels distinctly different in tone to Troopers, and is rather refreshing.
The political plot is quite straightforward, but clever enough to keep the story going and get his point across. The read is quick, and not too taxing, nor are the morals as overbearing. The theme of identity and sacrifice runs throughout, with an interesting conclusion to the story. It's not overbearing.
Heck, in many ways I'd probably say better than Troopers. More subtle and less ramming, elements of Dick shine through, in a pre-Dick era.
