probably Heinlein's best juvenile, "Citizen" is the story of a young orphan sold as a slave, who learns the survival wiles of street people, and ulimately must go into space and make his way in and among the worlds. So it's a coming-of-age space-opera adventure, but it's much more than just that.

The one-legged beggar who buys the boy is more than he seems, and as Thorby journeys out and on, he experiences life from various social strata. He experiences different cultures and sub-cultures, and must find his way in an ethical and moral maze. And slavery remains a focal point. Sorry ~~havin' a hard time here, tryin' to figure out what I can say without being a spoiler....and I can't say much. Given the milieu in which this story takes place, tho, I think it's important to note that "Citizen" was published in 1957, when the US was in the midst of the civil rights movement.

And then again, if this is just so much gobbledy-guck, enjoy the story as a good yarn.

Heading out as a ray~~ unless others join as it goes along, the order is

starflash UK
juliako UK
judygreeneyes US
Brookler Canada
TomHl

this ray completed! and TomHI has rayed it forward~~ Thank you for sharing this with me!!

I just ask that you be courteous to others in the Ray: Journal the book on arrival and after you've read it, and try to read and move it on in a reasonable time. Thanks, and ENJOY!

received this week, thank you.

19.7.8

I used to be a real sci-fi freak and havent read one for ages: I really enjoyed this. My first Heinlien-he was mentioned in a book on personal development that I read! I particularly like the way he doesnt actually describe things, such as aliens, yet gives you just enough to create your own mental image.

PM'd next participant today and I will send it on as soon as I have the address

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Sending out to the next person on the ray this week.

This has arrived safely.

Thank you for passing it on and for all the postcards!

I'm looking forward to reading it and will say more when I do!

"Have Space Suit - Will Travel" was a favourite of mine in my younger days (esp. the comp bit strangely enough) and "Stranger in a Strange Land" was a favourite in my younger adult days - so decided I would like to read more of his work. This didn't disappoint and I liked the ending. I thought the blurb on the back was a bit misleading though.

Thanks for sending it to me - I shall be passing it on to the next recipient.

I caught this book today by mail! I received two book rays/rings on the same day, so I better get busy!

Update -- I'm in the middle of this book. This book travelled with me to Taiwan and China last week on a business trip. Lots of frequent flyer miles, but not enough time to read! I'm about halfway through it though, and enjoying it. I expect to finish in a few days, so will PM the next on the list.

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I really enjoyed this story of Thorby and his adventures. He really has an interesting life (if not always fun) and the story is written very well (by the master). I always wanted to know what would happen next! I'll have to go back and read more of the Heinlein books I missed along the way. This book is now on its way to Brookler in British Columbia!

This book just arrived, in a resealed envelope which stated it had been opened by Canadian Border Services Agency. It was missing the little green US Postal Service Customs Declaration, so I guess they decided to check what was inside. First time I've ever seen that!

I enjoyed this little book very much. Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land remains one of my all time favourite books, and though sci-fi was once my favourite genre, it seems I haven't read much of it in recent years.

I was surprised with how up-to-date a story written in the 1950's felt. As always, Heinlein delivers a complex story fraught with moral dilemmas but coming down squarely on the side of justice.

Thanks so much for sharing this.

*Mailed to TomHl Nov 6.*

I came home from work today to find the book had arrived. I'm currently in the middle of The Way of the Warrior, but will read this next.

Thanks for the postcard from Powell River. The only part of BC I've been to is Victoria; it must be beautiful further up the coast.

I have read science fiction my entire life, including fifteen to twenty Heinlein books. The concepts in this book are pretty basic for sf, and it has become dated a little in terms of gender roles since it was written in 1957, but it's still a good adventure story.

I have fond memories of a few of Heinlein's books from my childhood, especially Have Space Suit Will Travel, Farmer in the Sky, and Starman Jones. But to read one of his juveniles now for the first time, doesn't have the same charm. Of course I now more easily understand that this book is about slavery and freedom, and self-reliance, and can see reflections of Heinlein's own values and experiences as a naval officer. I wish I had found Citizen of the Galaxy along with those others, but I can still appreciate this now through eyes of the child within me. Thanks to all for sharing the book!

The book didn't have any adventures with me while I was reading it, but it did go along on a Habitat For Humanity project today in Milwaukee.

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We woke up to about 7 inches (18cm) of snow this morning, but that's not enough to close any businesses, so I sent it from the post office over lunch break. The book is on its way to the next reader, in Australia.

Recieved in the mail today from US. It's not snowing here - about 24 degrees celsius and raining. thanks to TOMHL for sending it on. cheers.
26/01- having read "citizen of the galaxy" a week before. i found this one nowhere near the quality or as thought provoking. Here Heinlein is using the theme of Slavery - one suspects that he thought it had been abolished even in that time - but if you read http://www.antislavery.org/ - it certainly isnt. Not one of the greatest Heinlein novels, but it was good to read.

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sent to Ontario, Canada - hope to hear more about its journey.