Beyond this Horizon by Robert Heinlein

First published in 1948

Is there life after death? Hamilton Felix, the main character in Beyond the Horizon, is troubled by that question, as well as one that is equally large and related: What is the meaning of life? Heinlein's novel tackles a simpler question: Are these questions answerable only by faith, or are they the proper subject of scientific investigation?

The story meanders, it dangles some loose ends that aren't nicely resolved at the end, but in essence, the novel follows Hamilton Felix, the recipient of an unusually good genetic structure, as he makes the decision to reproduce, creating genetically designed children whose existence will make a beneficial contribution to the human race. As Hamilton ponders his reproductive decision, he helps foil a plot to rid the world of (supposedly inferior) individuals who haven't been genetically designed, befriends a man from the 1920's who somehow remained in stasis until Hamilton's time (the details of that little accomplishment are foggy), and instigates experiments into telepathy and other areas of scientific inquiry that might provide some insight into the meaning of life and the aftermath of death.

Admittedly, some aspects of the novel are a little silly, particularly the notion that this supposedly evolved society has adopted 19th Century formalisms of gentlemanly politeness, complete with duels if offense is given. Heinlein might have thrown that in to explain why his characters are running around armed. And maybe there's just too much going on (genetic engineering, telepathy studies, the possibility of reincarnation, the stasis thing, not to mention differing philosophies of parenting and life's meaning) and a corresponding lack of coherence. Later in his career, Heinlein proved more adept at juggling lots of big ideas in a single novel. Finally, the ending seems a bit out of the blue. But the story is still fun, many of the ideas it advances are still intriguing after more than half a century, and the writing is lively (if occasionally a little clunky).

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Red Planet by Robert Heinlein

First published in 1949

Jim Marlowe lives with his sister and parents on Mars.  Jim's life inside the colony and his Martian adventures beyond its borders are the subject of Robert Heinlein's Red Planet.

The 1949 novel is vintage Heinlein. Characters rant about bureaucracy, regulations, and limitations on personal freedom (the unfettered right to bear arms is sacred), themes that reappear often in Heinlein's later work. Although Red Planet is characterized as a "juvenile"--and although I was thoroughly entertained by it when I read it as a teenager--the story retains enormous appeal for adult fans of science fiction. While lacking the complexity of Heinlein's later work, the novel showcases Heinlein's vivid imagination and his stalwart belief in the ability of individuals to meet challenges posed both by hostile environments and by muddle-headed humans.  It has aged well.

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