Book Review: "Beyond This Horizon" by Robert A Heinlein

Title: Beyond This Horizon
Author: Robert A Heinlein
Pages: 158
Publisher: The New American Library (New York; New York) 1948

Review:

I actually have a 1948 copy of this book but the cover above is the new cover from a more recent publication. This novel was actually originally published as a series in 1942 in science fiction pulp periodicals under the pseudo name of Aston MacDonald. The fact it is from World War 2 is evident by the predictions in it that the war would dropkick the Russians and Chinese back to the stone age while the rest of the world would survive and prosper. When it was finally published as novel in 1948, it would have been a nostalgic view back in time to when the war was uncertain. This is also the first non juvenile novel Heinlein would publish. It is for adults, it has adult conversations, no sex or nudity yet, but their are veiled sexual references (for 1948) and social relationships that are different as well as fashion ideas that would have been challenging for the time of writing (men wearing nail polish for example).

The central plot of the story center around the main character Hamilton Felix who is trying to answer one question: Why? and specifically: is there something we can prove scientifically that a) there is life after death and that b) gives life meaning? Hamilton lives in a world where voluntary genetic breading has wiped out most illness, made the human race stronger, faster and smarter, but the 'why' question challenges his mind. He himself is a star genetic line that his society wants to use to procreate the next generation of humanity - a better race. The story takes Hamilton through several situations that cause him to search and look for the answers to these questions.

As a work of science fiction, Heinlein is way ahead of his time in many areas: genetics, telepathy, social customs because of technological improvement, space travel is in the background, educational and child rearing advances, etc. Stuff in the real world of 1942 that was pure theory, Heinlein is racing ahead and making some realistic and startling predictions.

As far as style and content, this book is pure Heinlein with many of his social and political views in your face. Libertarianism is in your face throughout the book, nothing is ever forced on any citizen but often people volunteer for things because it betters the race as a whole. The concept of a citizen having a 'private sphere' that even the media and nosey neighbors would consider it rude to interrupt is present. The concept of an armed citizenry making a more polite citizenry and civilization, economics based on his economic theories, open and temporary marriages, mankind always coming out on top, etc. are all here in some form or another. As with all Heinlein books the characters are believable and real but set in a science fiction future.

Rating: Four stars. Heinlein's early adult stuff is very good but limited by the publishing industry due to society being very conservative. This book is a good representation of that as Heinlein's first published adult level novel. You think while reading this book that Heinlein is being true to himself but is being reigned in. The story is good and the conclusion is mentally challenging. It is well worth the reading time.