Time Enough for Love (1973) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 0 stars

“The best Heinlein book, this one introduces us to Dora, his spaceship, and her namesake, the "real" Dora, who was his wife. The book shows Lazarus fighting a renewal of his body, fighting to die with "dignity." The dedicated staff of the rejuvenation clinic won't allow him to die, though, and they work all sorts of magic to keep him with them. As usual, there are many women, just as many pregnancies, valient action, and sensible behavior. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“This is not only my favorite Heinlein book but my favorite book of all time. Lazarus Long is a character whom I have used to define my own life and way of living (or how I wish it could be!). ”

• Rated 5 stars

“This book hooked me on Heinlein's "Future History" novels and short stories. I went back and read "Methuselah's Children" and then forward as he published new books. Great social commentary as well. Highly recommended.”

• Rated 5 stars

“First Sentence:
As the door of the suite dilated, the man seated staring glumly out the window looked around.
”

• Rated 2 stars

“After enjoying Robert Heinlein's The Moon is a Harsh Mistress I looked for other books by the science fiction author to enjoy. Time Enough for Love came fairly well recommended, so I gave it a shot. It's the far-future (mostly) story of Lazarus Long, the oldest human being EVAR. Long has, he thinks, come to the end of a very protracted life and is ready to die. But first, he talks about some of the crazy stuff he has done to some kinky lab assistants.

Honestly, I didn't care for it. The book takes the form of several novellas, most of which focus on a different adventure from Long's past. So you get stories about when he helped colonize a new planet, when he bought and freed some crazy space slaves, and when he did some other stuff that wasn't terribly interesting. You can see common themes about love, humanity, responsibility, and survival running through all these stories, and it's admirable how Heinlein has more going on under the surface than you think at first, but really -- I found it all just boring and not particularly thought provoking.

I'm not saying that all science fiction has to be space operas with evil galactic overlords and zapp-o ray guns, but there was WAY too much "talking head syndrome" going on here, with Lazarus Long just blathering on and spitting out pearls of wisdom all over the place until they made a slimy carpet two inches thick. And don't even get me started about the time travel shenanagains that happen towards the end of the book. Let's just say that Heinlein's weirdo sexual proclivities soar to new heights when Lazarus Long goes back in time to meet his mother. Bleh.

So, not one I'd recommend, though I'm sure others will disagree with me.”

• Rated 5 stars

“this book contains one of my favorite quotes of all time...one that i strive to accomplish, if only figuratively:

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."”

• Rated 4 stars

“Real Science Fiction.. Possibly coz this is the third sci-fi im reading after.. '20000 leagues under the sea' and 'Sphere'... Had to order with landmark and wait for 5 full months for the book to reachme... I realised its worth the wait! This guy is a real dreamer.. i still dont believe its possible for H.Sapiens (as heinlein writes) to write something so marvellous... a must read if u want to get hooked to sci-fi.. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“I love this book. I wish I could make everyone read this one.”