Here is the inimitable John C. Wright on Robert Heinlein's "Tunnel in the Sky", a work he suspects is Heinlein's answer to "Lord of the Flies". I am instantly reminded of what it was about Heinlein's work that I loved. Sure, the guy was crap when harping on sexual morality, and was something of a Malthusian, but he does get something right when it comes to the exposition of "manly" virtues. From Mr. Wright's review:
"Heinlein, no matter how radical in other areas, was profoundly conservative about some things. For example, there is quite a striking scene when Rod returns from his expedition to find a better campsite. He is overdue by months, and when he returns, the camp is now a town. He has indeed found a much better site, and logic says they should uproot and move there. However, in a dramatic scene where the townsfolk hold off a stampede by carnivorous pests, the town mayor dies defending the wall of the town. And Rod, the new mayor, out of sheer stubbornness, sheer grit, refuses to uproot and move to better land. The reason? He and his have shed blood here, and they are too proud to be moved from it.
For good or ill, that is the essence of conservatism. We cherish what is ours because we bleed for it. It was sober and realistic of Heinlein to touch on this theme."
If only for this story and "Starship Troopers", I am grateful for the Dean of Science Fiction. And, I think I have an idea for my next contest entry....
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