Space Cadet by Robert A. Heinlein
01/08/2006 . Source: Laura Kayne 
pub: TOR/Forge. 223 page hardback. Price: $23.95 (US), $31.95 (CAN). ISBN: 0-765-31450-9. Buy Space Cadet in the USA - or Buy Space Cadet in the UK  check out website: www.tor.com
This is Heinlein's seminal tale of Matt Dobson and his training as a cadet within the non-military Patrol who guard the solar system. This book strongly parallels Heinlein's later work, 'Starship Troopers', and shows how Matt and his friends at the Space Academy gradually grow up to be officers.
Beginning the Patrol's rigorous testing, the class of potential cadets are whittled down as they face gruelling challenges and come to learn what lies ahead of them. These include free fall and space walking as well as astro-navigation and engineering. Once they actually become a cadet, then the real work begins, with learning Beginning Vererian by hypnosis and space history on spools of tape.
This is where Heinlein's vision of a time not so far future to our own comes into its own. Matt's world is recognisable and similar to our own but rockets, space missions, space marines and, of course, the patrol are a given. Anyone who has been a student can sympathise with Matt's heavy workload, annoying room-mate and Heinlein slots the more fantastic elements of Matt's life into the story with as much matter-of-factness as he does the 'real' elements. At the same time, he is careful to give enough details about the history of the Patrol, past missions and the structure of ships to keep the reader from being confused.
The book follows the fortunes of Matt and three other cadets as they continue their training, both in the Academy in on their first mission. Of course, in true Heinlein style the mission doesn't go to plan, leaving the cadets stranded on Venus and facing an even bigger challenge than they first imagined. It's a fun read, in a rather gentle pace which speeds up near the end as the tension increases and there is more emphasis on character development than exciting plot action.
There is certainly enough, though, for the reader to get caught up in and enjoy the story of Matt and the other space cadets. This is a classic and Heinlein a master, so add it to your reading list.
Laura Kayne |
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