Between Planets (1951)

Robert A. Heinlein

Del Rey, New York; ISBN: 0-345-32099-9; Pages: 190

May You Die Beautifully

Another one of RAH's ``novels for boys'' and not one of the illustrious lot. It not only is missing the usual Heinlein philosophical touch (aside from few scattered and cursory references to government and freedom) but the action in the first half is languorous at best.

Don Harvey, born in free fall of a Venusian mother and an Earthling father, is at school in New Mexico when he is suddenly ordered by his parents to travel to Mars but not before he visits a distant ``uncle'' of his. The message is simple but its execution takes up the entire book. The young boy quickly finds himself trailed by the Federation's secret service, his ``uncle,'' Dr. Jefferson (an appropriate name, given his relationship to the fight for liberty that is taking place) is forced to commit suicide to conceal the meaning of the package he has given Don for delivery to his father, Don himself is interrogated with unconventional means, but he is finally let go to board the ``Glory Road'' and leave Earth.

On the ship, he befriends a dragon from Venus by the name of Sir Isaac Newton. In midway, however, their trip is interrupted when Circum-Terra, the station where they are supposed to board the ships to their respective destinations, is captured by Venusian rebels---the full-scale interplanetary revolt has erupted, with no subtle parallel to the American Revolution. Venus has proclaimed itself a republic and, hoping to saw confusion and inflict high cost (thereby discouraging retaliation) blows up Circum-Terra. Don is forced to go to Venus, where he is barely admitted (his dual citizenship is cause for much inconvenience throughout the entire novel), and he takes to washing dishes in a Chinese restaurant.

The least conspicuous and most innocuous part of his delivery, a plastic ring, is subject of the unhealthy interest of many unsavory individuals. Don gives it to a Venusian female acquaintance, Isobel, for safekeeping. While trying to find a way to send a message to his parents, disaster strikes in the form of Federation forces invading Venus and taking over the planet. Unlike the 18th century British, these strike in full force, completely eliminate the provisional revolutionary government, and disperse the population from the three major cities---an act of incredible folly because guerilla warfare is much more dangerous, uncertain, and liable to end in a mire, than conventional control of densely populated areas. Don is questioned again but manages to escape and join the rebels in the fog-thick lands.

Sir Isaac Newton seeks him out, also to get the ring. He is part of a cabal, whose purpose is to overthrow the Federation and place a scientifically free order in its place. Although Don does not have the ring, Isobel does, and she turns out to be a guest at the dragon's also. The ring contains engineering instructions for constructing force shields, new weapons, and, most importantly, a new space drive, which makes shortens the trip from Venus to Mars to only eleven days (as opposed to more than a year). The rebels construct the drive and outfit an old ship, ``Little David'' for interplanetary travel---all in time to save Mars (Don's parents and the rest of The Organization) from impending doom at the hands of the Federation ships, which have been dispatched there upon uncovering the conspiracy. Don finally makes it to Mars on board of the little ship, as a liberating hero.

And that is the end of it. Aside from the brief discussion of revolutionary principles, and an unconvincing interpretation as to why the British did not crush the American colonists, RAH concentrates on action, but even this suffers from long passages with dubious significance. Heinlein treats us to plenty of description of New Chicago but nothing on Don's activities as a soldier, his ``uncle'' who seems terribly important at the beginning, turns out to be a small link in a long chain, and so on and so forth. The best part about the narrative are probably the little move-overs, the gregarians. Venusian bipeds who resemble the satyrs from Greek mythology, and whose fondest activity is to cuddle with humans. And they make delicious meals too!

January 14, 2000. BLS