#14 – Robert Heinlein Part I: The Juveniles – A Reader’s History of Science Fiction
Robert Heinlein was one of the first major authors to write science fiction specifically for children. In this episode, we explore how he did it and what sets him apart from his contemporaries in this area, along with the other classic children’s sci-fi books up through the golden age. Book recommendation: Have Spacesuit–Will Travel Other books mentioned: The Tom Swift Series The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry The Chrysalids by John Wyndham Grumbles from the Grave, Chapter 3 John J. Miller on Starship Troopers Adam Gopnik on The Little Prince Farah Mendlesohn on children’s sci-fi Alec Nevala-Lee on Heinlein’s writing
H. P. Lovecraft brought the Gothic horror of the previous century into the modern era with his new genre of cosmic horror, which placed humankind at the mercy of vast and inscrutable alien entities. Despite a tarnished legacy, he is still considered the master of sci-fi-horror and a great influence on the genre ever since.
Book recommendation: At the Mountains of Madness by H. P. Lovecraft.
Other stories mentioned:
The Call of Cthulhu
The Shadow Out of Time
The Shadow over Innsmouth
The Dunwich Horror
Lovecraft’s stories may be read at hplovecraft.com.
