Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Marking the first appearance of the Martian elder race that played such a prominent role in Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert A. Heinlein's iconic Red Planet tells the story of Jim Marlowe and Frank Sutton's journey to the Lowe Academy boarding school on Mars, and the discoveries they make there that could impact the future of their entire colony. While on their way to the prestigious school, Jim and Frank, along with Jim's volleyball-sized native pet, Willis the Bouncer, meets one of the sentient Martians, Gekko, when they wander into forbidden territory. Joining in a ritual called "growing together" and sharing water with the three-legged Martian, making them "water friends," the boy's eyes are opened to the wonders of the planet they call home and are curious about how protective the Martians are over Willis, who chooses to stay with Jim, despite the gentle urgings of the larger aliens. Finally enrolled in school, Jim's independent nature and impulsive tendency to speak his mind gets him into trouble with the authoritarian headmaster, Mr. Howe, who confiscates Willis, claiming it is against school rules to have pets. When the boys go to rescue him, they get more than they are bargained for when the little Bouncer's eidetic memory for sounds--which he can accurately reproduce like a recording--reveals the colonial administrator of Mars' nefarious plan for the colony, which he overheard during his confinement. The implications of this newfound knowledge, as well as their need to protect Willis from the unscrupulous Mr. Howe, prompt the boys to run away from school, to warn their parents and the rest of their colony. What they encounter along the way not only has them questioning everything they know, about Willis and the mysterious Martian race, but the ramifications of their actions are more profound in this edition of Red Planet, which has restored the ending Robert A. Heinlein had originally intended to be published.
Synopsis
Discover the wonders and secrets of a very special Mars
alongside Jim and Frank in this thrilling adventure, featuring the first
appearance of the Martian elder race by one of the greatest science fiction
writers of all.
Robert A. Heinlein's Red Planet
features the first appearance of the Martian elder race, and tells the story of
Jim and Frank's journey to Lowe Academy boarding school on Mars.
On
their way to school, the boys meet Gekko, a sentient Martian, and join in a
ritual called "growing together," learning about the planet and the
Martians' protective nature towards Jim's pet, Willis the Bouncer.
Jim's
impulsive nature lands him in trouble with the authoritarian headmaster, Mr.
Howe, who confiscates Willis. The boys rescue him, and Willis' eidetic memory
reveals a nefarious plan for the colony.
The boys run away
from school, encounter unexpected challenges, and their actions have profound
ramifications. The restored ending brings the Martian elder race and the boys'
discoveries to the forefront, leaving readers questioning everything they
thought they knew.