The Star Beast

John Thomas Stuart was a young man with alot of on his mind. He would be going off to college in the fall, his best friend Betty would be at a different school, his mother was still insisting that she knew what was best for him - about everything, and he would be forced to leave behind the pet he had had his entire life. 'Lummox', in fact had also been his father's before that, and his father's before....Lummox was an ET that great grandfather had brought home from one of the first deep space explorations a century before. At that time Lummox had been about the size of a puppy but had grown considerably over the years and now was about the size of a car, which added to John Thomas' problems keeping him out of trouble. Lummox went out for a walk one afternoon and caused enough destruction that he came to the attention of the Department of Spatial Affairs. As John Thomas and Betty attempt to sort out this mess the situation continued to escalate to truly astonishing situations. Everyone involved had a different point of view about the relationship between John Thomas and Lummox and corresponding opinion on what should be done. This 1954 entry is one of the 'juvenile' novels that RAH was writing at the time. As always with his work it is an exciting and funny novel that could be thoroughly enjoyed on that level alone. Also as always with RAH's work some rather sophisticated ideas are hidden inside that will stay with the reader long after the book has been put down. This also marks a change in RAH's portrayal of women. In his earlier works women are usually rarely mentioned and when they are it is in a sexist and/or unsympathetic manner. In his later years women are often the main characters of his works and shown as the equals of men in every way. In THE STAR BEAST this change has begun, Betty is every bit as smart as John Thomas. The two of them are equal partners in taking care of Lummox who has more than a few surprises of his own. This would be a good place for someone to begin reading RAH's works, it is also a 'must read' for any long time fans.

Don't be turned off by this book's "juvenile" tag or it's "cute" cover, this is a great, great read that you will highly enjoy no matter what your age. Unlike in later books, Heinlein doesn't use this book as a pulpit, but rather as sheer entertainment. Thus, this book is a good read for teenagers, and is a great book to start someone on science fiction. However, I suspect adults will actually enjoy this book more... the meat of the plot, in fact, is an intergalactic political conflict, featuring lots of behind-the-scenes manuevering and some highly entertaining courtroom scenes. A lot of this may go over the head of a younger reader. The Star Beast is well written, and reads VERY smoothly... you'll be tempted to read it in one setting, as I very nearly did. It's hard to put down. A highly enjoyable read. This is a very good Heinlein that doesn't get much recognition... pick it up.

It's more than a bit of a misnomer to call the series of novels Heinlein wrote specifically for teenagers from 1947-58 "juveniles"----they are actually just page-turning adventure sf with well-detailed backgrounds that just happen to have protaganists under the age of 21. What I'm saying is that they're just as entertaining for adults as for kids, as long as the adult in question isn't looking for literary experimentation or explicit sex. That fact is that, with one or two exceptions, Heinlein's juveniles are far more solidly entertaining than his later 'adult' novels. (The exceptions? Rocket Ship Galileo and Podkayne of Mars, but hey, no one ever bats .1000.)The Star Beast was always one of my favorites, mainly because of Lummox. But there's also one of Heinlein's best courtroom scenes, and plenty of other high points. The idea of a bond between a human boy and an alien 'pet' with the alien turning out to be an important member of an advanced civilization had been touched on before, in Red Planet, but it is taken to a fascinating extreme here. While it's true that the Stuart's seem to live in a 1950's small town, there is also a great evocation of a vast galaxy teeming with varied species and spacefaring civilizations, endless possibilities. You can't miss with Heinlein's juveniles, but this is one of the most charming.

I read this book when I was about 11. I feel in love with Science Fiction because of this book and the writings of Asimov. I also have managed to read every Heinlein book written, because this one was so wonderful. I now give a copy to my kids when they reach about 9 years old. My youngest son who just turned 10 is in the middle of it now and is enjoying it as much as I did. It's a cute story with an interesting story line and surprise ending. I would also recommend it to adults as a fun read. Give it to a child that has begun reading. It would make a great kids movie. Give it to an adult that needs a break from Real Life.

"The Star Beast" is the first science fiction book I read, when I was twelve years old...I even remember where I was sitting on a bench outside my building in New York while I was reading it. I recently bought it for my twelve-year old daughter, to "get her started," and on my way home from a business trip, I read it again myself. I am amazed to think I was able to read this book when I was a kid, and how much I must have missed. It is sophisticated, gently satirical, often very funny, and often wise; the usual warm characters and ear for speech that one expects from Heinlein, but with a no-nonsense intolerance for racial bigotry, and a feisty, competant teen-age girl who's got wit and courage. All told, to my considerable surprise, it's one of the better books I've read in the last few years! My highest recommendation.