Heinlein's "I Will Fear No Evil"

[triskellian]

I was talking to a colleague about science-fiction a couple of weeks ago. She claimed Heinlein as one of her favourite authors, and I confessed to having read nothing of his, put off by a possibly-unjustified impression of him being too interested in plot at the expense of character, and having misogynist tendencies. She claimed this wasn't true, and leant me I Will Fear No Evil to prove it. Yesterday, ill in bed*, I read the first two chapters. The characters are little more than props, and the main female character wears sexy clothes to please her elderly boss (and decides to make an effort to be extra-sexy tomorrow to thank him for a hefty bequest), doesn't mind being treated like a silly little girl, and, despite claiming to be happily married, throws herself into the arms of another much-older man at the first sign of danger, saying stuff like "Your arms are so strong. I feel safe when you're holding me", and then offers said older man a nude photo of herself. I gave up in disgust. Has anyone read it? Should I give the rest a try before returning it, or is it all like that?

*Hence no appearance at angry_marmot's party, and being off work today. secretrebel - want to come over and cheer me up?

Comments

Re: Illness

[triskellian]

Well, lots of sex isn't necessarily a problem. I mean, I read porn. But at least porn is honest about what it's doing ;-)

Re: Illness

[bateleur.livejournal.com]

So is Heinlein - "superficial pretty girls for older men" is the manifesto, which he seemingly makes little attempt to hide !

I don't really like any of his work myself despite the fact that I much prefer plot ro character in general. I have always assumed this was because I read him too late (ie. long after reading authors who wrote after him doing the same stuff way better).

Re: Illness

[lathany.livejournal.com]

I have always assumed this was because I read him too late (ie. long after reading authors who wrote after him doing the same stuff way better).

That's a pretty accurate guess. The best of the ones I read was Glory Road. It had some nice ideas in it (mainly in the dungeon section). But one of the best bits (the final battle between the hero and the big bad) has since been improved upon by Michael Scott Rohan in Chase the Morning (where it is also the final battle between the hero and the big bad, but this time at the end of the book).

Re: Illness

[triskellian]

So is Heinlein - "superficial pretty girls for older men" is the manifesto, which he seemingly makes little attempt to hide !
And I'd obviously picked up on this at some level - should've paid more attention ;-)