Time Enough for Love

Most reviewers of this book seem polarized into the love-it or hate-it categories. I seem to be one of the rare ones that falls right in the middle. There are some great stories spread throughout the book, but I found that the overall encompassing narrative dragged on at times. I also had difficulty connecting with the supporting characters and their "enlightened" views on relationships. The main character, Lazarus Long, was easier to connect with throughout the book, but as he took on more of the views of the other characters, he became less relatable for me. Additionally, I felt like the chapters which attempted to prove Lazarus's views on learning how to love demonstrated the exact opposite values the author held up as ideal. I'd recommend this book for readers that can set aside their own views on sex and relationships, and enjoy the sub-plots in the context of the values the author sets up. If that's not possible, then it's probably best to avoid this book.

Heinlein’s exploration of time and existence is both grand and intimate. Through Lazarus’s adventures, readers encounter a multitude of characters, societies, and ideas, each contributing to a larger tapestry of understanding about what it means to live and love across the ages. The novel is a testament to Heinlein's imaginative prowess and his capacity to address complex questions about human nature and the universe.

Maybe I'm reading too much Heinlein too soon; the general plot and theme are the same as others and it's getting a little boring. Kind of like science-fiction porn. What makes this book tolerable, though, are the side stories and anecdote sections.