Customer Reviews

Methuselah's Children

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Methuselah's Children is a critical component of Heinlein's remarkably impressive body of work. Not only does it culminate the Future History series of stories, it also points the way toward a better understanding of Heinlein's later writings. Perhaps most importantly, this novel introduces us to Lazarus Long and other prominent members of the Howard family of long-timers. This story opens well after the fall of the First Prophet theocracy described in Revolt in 2100; democracy, liberty, and freedom once again mean something in America-at least until the populace learns of the existence of a large group of men and women with lifespans more than double the norm. Believing that the Howard families possess the secret of eternal life, the government takes action to seize all long-timers using any means necessary, including the abhorrent torture treatments made famous by the hated former theocracy. The embattled administrator of the country believes the Family trustee and representative Zach Barstow when he tells him that there is no secret to be had, that the lifespans of the family are determined by heredity. To the great fortune of all 100,000 long-lifers, the remarkable Lazarus Long decides to return to the Family fold he once left behind out of sheer boredom. His leadership results in the Family escaping earth and making their way out into space in search of a new home planet. Their travels are extensive, and their contact with other intelligent beings is as fascinating as it is intriguing-both culturally and scientifically. Heinlein puts a lot of science into his description of the ship's interstellar voyage and the means by which the people plan to survive for a journey of many light years. The colonists' interaction with the alien cultures they encounter is also delightfully original and compelling. The ending did not display a final blast of power, but it serves as a more than acceptable conclusion to events.

I was most impressed by Heinlein's success at tying this novel in to the series of past Former History stories, going all the way back to Life-line and the genesis of the whole saga. A few characters who seemed unimportant earlier in the stories quickly became important actors in the drama, such as astronavigator Libby from the story "Misfit." I have a much better appreciation of the earlier Future History stories after reading Methuselah's Children; things I saw as unimportant in earlier stories are now revealed in a whole new light and made inherently interesting. Lazarus Long, with his fierce independence, refusal to go around without his kilt (with his blaster concealed underneath), youthful old age, free spirit, and lust for activity or adventure is a singular character one cannot soon forget. His story is only begun in this novel, but it is something to behold from the very start.

This novel is intriguing and entertaining on its own merits, but I would encourage you to read the preceding Future History stories first (which can be found in The Man Who Sold the Moon, The Green Hills of Earth, and Revolt in 2100). Without this background, you will miss completely some of the subtleties and references that make this novel extra special. Likewise, if you are going to read Heinlein's later novels such as Time For Love this book serves as necessary background reading. I see Methuselah's Children as the crucial intersection separating Heinlein's early stories and later novels, so it is incredibly important whichever way you look at it. The science is well told, oftentimes prophetic, and perfectly believable and the sociological speculation is thought-provoking, but this novel is first and foremost an engaging, thrilling read that no Heinlein or vintage science fiction fan should miss.

Selective breeding and carefully planned marriages with subtle financial encouragement from a secretive group called the Howard Foundation carried out over the last 150 years have resulted in a group of humans that have the extraordinary trait of extreme longevity - Lazarus Long, the patriarch of the Family, born Woodrow Wilson Smith, carries his two hundred plus years quite well! When pressed for his true age, he's either not telling or he won't admit that he truly doesn't know himself! In 2125, a series of events result in the global administration and the remainder of earth's population discovering the Family's existence. A frenzy of enraged jealousy erupts as a maddened, frustrated world seeks to discover the secret fountain of youth they are convinced the Family is guarding for their own use. Hounded by the threat of murder, torture, brainwashing and ultimate extinction by their shorter lived neighbours, the Family flees earth on an untested starship. The discovery of two planets and alien races that pose threats and challenges even more imposing than those from which they fled plus an overwhelming loneliness for the way of life they left so far behind lead them back to earth for a second try.

In Methuselah's Children, Heinlein has crafted an exciting novel, a message, a screenplay and the movie script all at once. Descriptive passages, while compelling and very cleverly written are sparse and infrequent and the plot is almost exclusively driven by razor-sharp dialogue. Heinlein's method of conveying the story through his characters' mouths has got wit; it's got dialect; it's got humour and intelligence; it's got sensible science; it's got humanity and it's got credibility. Their expressions and manner of speaking firmly place the origins of the story in the 1940s USA but somehow Heinlein has managed to inject enough charm to leave it timeless.

For those like me that frequently read for the thrill, the entertainment and the pure joy of a story without looking for any subliminal message or morality tale, Methuselah's Children succeeds in spades. Hard sci-fi runs rampant through every page and fleshes out a superb story line - "refreshers" (think Star Trek's sonic showers), private space yachts, hydroponics used for mass food production, psychometrics (no doubt, first cousin to Asimov's famous "psycho-history"), extreme enhancement of longevity through selective breeding, elimination of national boundaries and the implementation of a global administration, inter-stellar travel at relativistic speeds, super-luminal warp travel "in the dark" reached with instantaneous acceleration, cryogenics and suspended animation for long-term space faring, lunar and Venerean colonies, orbital construction of spaceships, blasters, aliens, communication in an alien language, telepathy, high speed bio-engineering, and lots more. Although Heinlein didn't use the word "replicator", he may well have been sitting on the script team for a Star Trek episode when he had Lazarus order up a customized kilt:

"He sat down in a sales booth and dialed the code for kilts. He let cloth designs flicker past in the screen while he ignored the persuasive voice of the catalogue until a pattern showed up which was distinctly unmilitary and not blue, whereupon he stopped the display and punched an order for his size. Ten minutes later he stuffed the proctor's kilt into the refuse hopper of the sales booth and left, nattily and loudly attired."

For those that wish to dig a little more deeply - don't despair - Heinlein has got much to say that will keep many a party conversation going on a variety of topics: the psychology and, oftentimes, fear of aging and death; mob psychology; prejudice and the abnormal fear of something that is different than we are; the importance of work, activity and a feeling of contributing as a part of the human condition.

This book was more than exciting - it was fun and entertaining in the bargain!

Paul Weiss

For those of you who already love Heinlein, this is the book that first introduces his engaging character, Lazarus Long. Long is the oldest of a group of long-lived individuals that have interbred amongst themselves in secret. Once revealed, they are completely misunderstood by their short-lived brethren and are forced into an off- world exodus. They are constantly forced into positions of choice and adventure. Even though it was first written in 1941, it is worth reading and re-reading today; the best of SF. __Brenda Palmer

Considered by many to be the most intruiging book of Heinlein career. Methuselah's Children is the backbone of Heinlein's universe. It sets up the story of the long lived famlies that are part of many of his other stories ie. Time Enough For Love, To Sail Beyond the Sunset, The Number of the Beast, The Cat Who Walks Through Walls, and many others. This is a must for every Heinlein fan, and a good starting point for those who want to get to know the great author better. 5 Stars just isn't enough!

Before you judge my review purely by the low rating please read my defense and reasons. First of all, if I was still a 13 year old boy this would have been very good, however, even then I would have been slightly disappointed by how much Heinlein has to offer and how little he actually develops in Methuselah's Children. I understand how important this novel is in the Future History works of Heinlein but sadly, as a stand-alone story, it falls woefully short of greatness.

Summary (contains spoilers): Heinlein first wrote the story in 1941 before expanding it into a full-length novel in 1958. It traces the Howard Families, the product of a very old eugenics program to extend life, through the persona of Lazarus Long (a beloved character of Heinlein fans - whose life is explored in detail and length in the 1973 novel Time Enough for Love). The Howard families are persecuted on Earth since they are believed to possess a secret to longevity although its just selective breeding which results in living so long. They highjack a space ship and head for a distant planet. The creatures they meet are domestic animals to higher intelligences that want to make the new colonists subservient as well. They continue on to another planet of group mind creatures which can change plants and animals forms and tastes etc... So, they have a large meeting and with Lazarus Long's prodding they decide to go back to earth, now an easy three-month long task because of technological advances learned from the aliens.

Pros: Heinlein fills this novel with fascinating ideas. The concept of domestic aliens (in some aspects more intelligent than humans) subservient to a greater intelligence - that's enough for an entire novel. The technology for a massive space ship that can hold a 100,000 people and the social ramifications that might follow, again, that's enough for an entire novel. A group mind alien civilization etc... The resolution of the novel, that humanity is somehow drawn to earth, is a powerful concept that many later writers explore in detail. Considering the time Heinlein wrote this story, the concepts are fresh, and fascinating. Lazarus Long is a great character as well: funny, likable, rakish, and morally upright. All this should make a great novel but -

Cons: The bane of so many writers is that they think they can take twenty brilliant ideas and meld them flawlessly together into a coherent novel. Heinlein fails at this, essentially Methuselah's Children is multiple short stories pasted together with little connection besides "seven years went by." What is worse is that when he comes to something interesting instead of having the characters discover it themselves, he writes a detached essay on the topic of group creatures, or seven years of space ship life etc... The characters are thus not actively involved in the action - this is a massive flaw, which halts forward movement and excitement. Most of this is due to the fact that Heinlein had a page limit but he could have easily just written more than one connected novels. Heinlein soon learns from this mistake with his next work, Starship Troopers, which is focused and crisp. Besides Lazarus Long, the characters are one dimensional and wimpy. Again, this is a feature of the time so it can be partially forgiven except that Heinlein DID succeed in making Lazarus's character. Why did he not put that skill to Mary Sperling? Or Captain King?

Heinlein simply falls short. He offers so many interesting concepts that they overload and ultimately, make no deep impression on the reader. Many juvenile novels from the time explore a single technology, or social idea and make a story, I wish Heinlein had kept this in his original short story form.

Methuselah's Children (1958) is the fourth SF work in the Future History series. It was originally published as a serial within Astounding in 1941. It was later expanded to a full length novel.

The Howard Foundation was established in the 1870s to lengthen the span of human life. Using well established breeding principles, young men and women with living grandparents were encouraged to marry each other. In 1875, the first child of the Howard Families was born.

At first, they were just a bunch of people trying to improve the lifespan of the members. After a century or so, however, they were forced to start the Masquerade. Many members had grown too old, so ways were found to allow them seemingly to die and then to take on other identities.

In this novel, Lazarus Long is a member of the Howard Families. He was born 1n 1912 with the name Woodrow Wilson Smith. Now he is 213 years old and the Eldest living member of the Families.

Mary Sperling is also a member of the Howard Families. She was the Eldest until Lazarus reappeared.

Zaccur Barstow is a member of the Howard Families. Zack is also the Speaker for the Howard Trustees.

Andrew Jackson Libby is a member of the Howard Families. Andy was last seen in "Misfit" as the intuitive mathematician.

Slayton Ford is the Federation Administer. He has the problem of the Howard Families dumped into his lap by the Council.

In this story, Mary is leading an emergency meeting of the Family heads and things are looking bleak. When Lazarus complains about the long and wellknown review of facts before presenting new information, Mary gets him to admit his age. As the Eldest, Lazarus is now expected to moderate the meeting.

Others point out the improbability of maintaining the Masquerade. Some members -- about ten percent of the group -- had voluntarily admitted their extended lifespan. Although the initial impact on the public was small, a sense of anger and disbelief has been growing exponentially.

All present are impressed by the facts and calculations, but their voiced opinions are not very helpful. The members are undecided and unable to agree on any approach to the problem. Lazarus has them break up into like minded groups to work out better solutions and then adjourns the general meeting until the next morning. As he later admits to Mary, they are probably not going to agree on any workable approach.

Mary is being pursued by Bork Vanning, the Minority Leader of the Federation Council. The next morning, Bork comes to press his suit. He mentions the Howard Families and states that the secret of longevity is close at hand for important officials and their wives. Mary then tells him that she is one of the victims of this witchhunt.

Bork refuses to believe her until Lazarus steps into the conversation. Although his knife convinces Bork to leave, both Lazarus and Mary know he will send proctors to arrest Lazarus. They get out barely in time and take Mary's car out to kill time until dark.

After some evasion, they reach the Families' Seat and Mary hurries to the sanctuary to send a message through the telepathic sensitives. She sends a recall to all sites run by the Howard Families. Then they hold another emergency meeting.

During the meeting, many options are discussed. Leaving the planet is brought up, but dismissed since the only really habitable planet in the Solar System is Earth. Then Lazarus remembers the ship being built in orbit for the Second Centauri Expedition.

Lazarus proposes that the New Frontiers be used to leave the System. He learns that Andy had not been involved in the design of the New Frontiers, so there are probably ways to increase the boast. But this proposal is tabled while other options are discussed.

The meeting is interrupted by a call for Zack from the Federation Administrator. Ford now knows a lot about the Howard Families from captured members, including the location of the Families' Seat. But he doesn't think that the Families have a hidden secret of longevity.

This tale takes the Howard Families into custody and then onto the New Frontiers and into interstellar space. Most of the group are very disgruntled by the whole affair. Yet there are few adventurous souls who are looking forward to the voyage.

Lazarus Long is an anomaly. He was a third generation child in the longevity experiment called the Howard Families. Even so, his genes must have been exceptionally good. Few from that time would have lived more than a century.

The New Frontiers is the second spaceship sent to the stars. The next installment in this series tells the story of the first starship -- the Vanguard -- in Orphans of the Sky. Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Heinlein fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of interstellar voyages, longevous culture, and Lazarus Long. For those who want more tales by Heinlein, this and many other stories are also included in The Past Through Tomorrow.

-Arthur W. Jordin

"Methuselah's Children" by Robert Heinlein is a short early novel. This is part of Heinlein's "Future History" series of stories and the start of a series of Heinlein novels that continued later in his career. This story is good science-fiction. I do not call it excellent because Heinlein was about to enter the peak of his career with better writing.

The reader may conclude that Heinlein shows his philosophical side more than his science fiction side. Over fifty years, I have read everything I can lay my hands on that Heinlein wrote. I came to appreciate Heinlein's philosophical side. He helped me exercise my brain. I promise, there is more plot here than may seem apparent.

"Methuselah's Children" introduces us to the 'Howard families' and Lazarus Long, a character that appears in a number of Heinlein's later novels. It also introduces a neat 'roadable vehicle', two separate 'interstellar drives', and some unusual 'aliens'. (Question: If we travel to a planet with sapient beings, are they the aliens or are we the aliens? Answer: Good question! One's point of view is important!) When I first read this story, the ending seemed to be a bit of a letdown. However, four decades later, I realize that it does reveal something about the nature of human reality and about technological problems. I guess I can say that 'obvious' alternate solutions to technological problems can be non-obvious to someone who is too close to the challenge. One can have troubles seeing the forest when the trees keep getting in the way.

This is very good science fiction reading! I recommend this book.

Using a fiction approach, Robert A. Heinlein has provided
all of us here on earth with three goals to go beyond
landing a man on the moon of the Kennedy era. Imagine if
you were able to live a thousand years. Would you have
been able to accomplish even half the things you thought of
doing? Even if all the existing people lived this long
and more children continued to be born, there is a solution.
Lets get beyond Einstein and find another earth-type planet
in another solar system and travel there with the technology
we will develop in the next century. This would be a
greater expansion than that experienced in the United States
in the 1800's. Now to do all this, we need peace. By this
I mean we need to have social stability without wars and a
change in the way people look at their lives. Continued
belief in religion if fine. For example if you are a
Christian wouldn't you rather be around to see the second
coming. I find it hard to believe that anyone wants to die
if they have their psychological and physical health. How
can we get the movers and the shakers, people in power when
it comes to money, politics, ideas, etc. to take hold of
these goals for the human race? The novel of Heinlein's has
its approach; we living today need to take this
fictionalized message and make it our goals for humanity in
the 21st century.

Finally a "CLASSIC" that live up to the billing.
I had grown weary of the same old trite - "You HAVE to read"s - that just didnt live up to the billing.

Having read a lot of Larry Niven, and now starting on the Heinlein series', I think it is safe to guess Niven grew up on Heinlein, as I see some pretty serious similarities between Lazarus and Louis Wu, but since I have loved the Niven, it follows I loved the Heinlein.

I may have been aided in this by expecting to be let down after slogging thru the endlessly repetitive Fantasy of David Eddings that folks seem to eat up like crazy - dont get me wrong, I enjoyed the Belgariad, but everything after that just seemed to be a remake of the same story.

But Methuselah's Children was what I expect good old fashioned hard Sci-FI to be. Men of Earth head out to the stars - without all the mind-numbing complications and needless enumeration of every potentially adverse event taking place over the course of the story (Sorry Ben Bova - but you are the worst at this)

The almost scary part of this is that he wrote it in the 1940's (www.fantastic fiction.co.uk credits this at 1941) making it so ridiculously ahead of its time as to be either laughable or scary.

At any rate - if you like hard sci-fi that doesnt get all bogged down in its own clever attempts to beat you to death with boring science, but still rings true enough to buy into, AND still maintains a level of human involvement - give this one a spin. It isnt perfect, but it is just what I was looking for.

Veterans of the late 50s/early 60s love Robert Heinlein. The "Dean of Science Fiction" could stimulate the imagination like few others. I am more than just happy to be able to access the main body of his work to my kindles. Heinlein is an imaginative storyteller with a very deft finger on the human pulse. Dated as some of his works may be, they still resonate with those with eyes to read, and those with minds to think. Try "The Door Into Summer" even though you may not like scifi. A story like this is rare. If the first few pages don't draw you in, then delete it and go back to "bodice-rippers".