The Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Re-Read

I remember reading this years before the atrocious movie was made in the 90's. I so hoped it'd be on the same level of Starship Troopers, but alas. At least we had Invasion of the Body Snatchers, which was a direct rip-off of this Heinlein novel and its success in the early 50's.

Here's the cool bit: Heinlein was just writing a schlock commentary on the Red Communist Scare and the evil winds that blew in McCarthy's era. The fact that it goes on to be a rip-roaring action/spy tale that's very much in tune with the feel of all the war/spy movies and books of the time is just an added bonus. Don't expect it to match today's sensibilities. Indeed, men are real men and women playfully scold or entice them, for good or (seeming) ill. Jury's out for me. I just know it's a product of its time.

I suppose what I like best about this novel is the anti-clothing taboo. Such a funny thing to read, considering the day and age.

As an SF, I think it's well on the level of War of the Worlds, with then-updated sensibilities. It was just a fun ride. For my synesthesia, it comes across like oranges. Uneaten pulp, just the discarded rind, with the texture and pleasant smell of something right from childhood.



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews might be interested in reading my own SF, I'm going to be open to DM requests. I think it's about time I get some eyes on them.

Arctunn.com


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