The Star Beast ~Robert A. Heinlein
Publication Date: 1954
Audio Copyright Date: 2007
8 hrs, 18 min.
The Book:
Originally serialized in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, The Star Beast tells the story of what happens when a domesticated alien outgrows the patience of his neighbors. John Thomas Stuart XI is the owner and caretaker of a sentient alien known affectionately as Lummox. Lummox was acquired by one of John Thomas’ ancestors on a space flight into uncharted territory many, many years ago. Lummox, now the size of a tank (and growing), has been passed down from one John Thomas Stuart to another. Lummox’s latest adventure, resulting in a great deal of property damage and a general panic in the community, results in a court hearing and the intervention of The Department of Space. Orders for the summary execution of the virtually indestructible Lummox from one quarter coincide with the arrival of a previously unknown race, the Hroshii, demanding the release of one of their citizens who they believe is being enslaved by humanity.
As John Thomas and his spunky friend Betty Sorensen connive and scheme to keep Lummox safe, a potentially destructive political game is being waged by one Henry Gladstone Kiku, Permanent Undersecretary of Spatial Affairs, a government official who just may be too smart for his own good.
In The Star Beast, Robert A. Heinlein alternates between a plucky, suspenseful boy-and-his-dog adventure tale and a fascinating political shell game with characters in both story lines intersecting in ways that keep the story fresh and exciting. John Thomas Stuart and Betty Sorensen are engaging teenage protagonists who do not easily fit into the stereotypical molds of a 1950′s boy and girl. While authentically displaying the narcissism common to the typical American teenager, they also show a range of emotion, ingenuity, and occasionally move beyond assigned gender roles. Mr. Kiku, a Kenyan who fills the role of Undersecretary but is clearly the power behind the throne, so to speak, is an absolute corker of a character. His dry wit and consummate skill at verbal fencing once again proves that a “Heinlein juvenile” is not light after-school-special material. While I enjoyed the entirety of this novel, the political maneuvering and posturing and gamesmanship of Mr. Kiku was by far the most entertaining part of the story. Readers young and old can come away from The Star Beast with a greater sense of the workings of diplomacy on top of a satisfied smile over time well spent.
The Audio Production:
After two experiences with their work, I am convinced that Full Cast Audio can do no wrong. The cast choices were once again pitch-perfect. Even Lummox, with his “little girl” voice, was so well done that you wanted him to be real so you could give him a big ol’ hug. It will not surprise anyone that my favorite character voice was that of Mr. Kiku. The actor, Rodney Hudson, gave him an interesting accent, particularly emphasizing the fact that Mr. Kiku was not a native English speaker. At first I was lulled into an impression that Mr. Kiku was going to be the comic relief character only to find that Mr. Kiku was brilliant and funny and was truly master of his domain, bending the Department to his will in order to get things done and get them done right. It is hard for me to know if it was solely Heinlein’s writing or the performance of Rodney Hudson, but as the story progressed I saw a lot of Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, in Mr. Kiku.
If you have not allowed yourself the experience of reading (or listening to) one of Robert A. Heinlein’s “juveniles”, then you are truly missing out on something special. Considering the time period they were written (mostly the 1950′s) and the audience they ostensibly targeted (young adolescent males), these stories have a broad appeal and many layers of text and subtext that hold up well today and successfully engage readers of all ages. Robert A. Heinlein wrote intelligent novels meant to inspire, educate and entertain and in these arenas he triumphs. If you get a chance to listen to the Full Cast Audio versions of these novels I trust you will find them to be a rewarding experience. As would simply picking up the book and giving them a read.
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