Robert A. Heinlein - Double Star

[scifimike]

Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This story is the very definition of the word "romp". Set in a universe of interstellar capers, it's a great fun space opera, largely devoid of subtext and brimful of derring-do.

The premise is one seldom approached by SF: the Prince-and-Pauper trope. The universe's greatest character actor is embroiled in a scheme to impersonate a top-ranking politician and save the galaxy, which he achieves with a mixture of futuristic disguise and old-fashioned acting prowess. Lorenzo is one of Heinlein's more fleshed-out protagonists, written with great charm and humour. Heinlein writes as confidently and sparingly as usual and this short novel whips along with pace and vim, but without the repetition of his other thrillers (e.g. The Puppet Masters).

It's an old book now and so it comes off as somewhat cheesy, but this is pulp SF at its best and well worth the small investment of time it takes to read.



View all my reviews