Name: Double Star
Rating: 3.714285714285714 (7 reviews)
ISBN: 9780345330130

Robert Anson Heinlein

A twenty-second-century actor is taken to Mars to assume the identity of a prominent Earthman who has disappeared

Double Star

One minute, down and out actor Lorenzo Smythe was -- as usual -- in a bar, drinking away his troubles as he watched his career go down the tubes. Then a space pilot bought him a drink, and the next thing Smythe knew, he was shanghaied to Mars. Suddenly he found himself agreeing to the most difficult role of his career: impersonating an important politician who had been kidnapped. Peace with the Martians was at stake -- failure to pull off the act could result in interplanetary war. And Smythe's own life was on the line -- for if he wasn't assassinated, there was always the possibility that he might be trapped in his new role forever! Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

Michael Springer

Before I begin, I'd like to thank you all for choosing to read this review today. It is you who actively participate in the Goodreads community that are the pulsating heart of this great country, _____. (Insert your country name here.) Without your efforts, intellectual life everywhere would be sure to stagnate. This has always been my position, and I am a man with firm convictions, never changing my mind about anything. 

Just yesterday, a young, impoverished child asked me how I was going to help improve this country if I am elected Czar. And I said...*checks notes on palm*...lower taxes by wagging war--wagging war? Oh, uh, sorry--WAGING war...on evil countries full of terrorists. I also prioritize putting children first, and also putting the environment and our future first. 

It is my pleasure to discuss Double Star this afternoon. Double Star is a terrific book of mine, and I've known it for several weeks. Honestly, I can only say nice things about it. Having won the Hugo in...some year...it is a book with the greatest of accolades to its name. 

It's the story of an actor asked to play the most challenging and dangerous role of his life: representing a politician during a ceremony that, if it isn't conducted exactly right, could mean death. But after the ceremony, the politician isn't yet ready to return to his duties, and the actor is hired for another job. 

Witty and fast-paced, Double Star is very fun, and I can't honestly say whether I liked this or Starship Troopers better. Yes, I can. I liked this one better because at the end of the day, the message here was, "Politicians can be replaced by decent actors without anyone noticing," whereas the message in Starship Troopers was "Woo Haa! Go team!" While I give full credit to those willing to serve in the armed forces of ________, and I'm aware that they are the pulsating heart of this great country, and without them, nobody would protect our borders from those dangerous terrorists and immigrants, I relate more with the former message. 

It is truly a shame that so many of our representatives seem to simply say what they think people want to hear, but unfortunately, some people are stupid enough that they can get away with it. Not you people, though, you people are the foundation that this country is built upon. It's time we take back this country from bland, insipid politicians, and put someone with real positions on the issues back in office! And I have positions! On the issues! 

I believe that our children shouldn't take drugs, and education is important! Unlike you-know-who, who wants to undermine all the values that you hold dear! Say no to socialism and fascism! And vote like a patriot! Vote for our future! Vote for me! Click "yes" below, and take a stand for values! You like values, right?

Janice Hopper

A "prince and the pauper" kind of story, where Joe Schlub has to stand in for Mr. Famous because Reasons. And then things get more and more complicated.

It was fine, actually less dated than I expected for a 50+ year old book. It had the conventions of its time (smoking, Martians, habitable Venus, cavalier attitude toward its one female character, etc.)

Robert A. Heinlein

Kelsey Lynn

(3/63) In my Hugo Read-Through
       Double Star by Robert Heinlein won the third Hugo Award for novel in 1956. It’s my third stop on my read-through and the first time I’ve read a Heinlein all the way through.

        Double Star was a very enjoyable read, I wouldn't agree with many reviews that state "it's nonstop fun" or "constant action" because it isn't constant action, this is a very political and somewhat philosophical book. The story revolves around a narcissistic, Martian-racist actor named Lorenzo, who's only real goal and purpose in life is to act and be good at it, and have an applause at the end. Lorenzo ends up (kind of) tricked into playing a double (an impersonation job, something he believes to be ridiculously beneath him) of a prominent Politician on Mars. 

        A somewhat humorous concept from the onset, martian-racist man having to play the biggest advocate for equal Martian rights, a story that I feel Vonnegut could have had a field day with. But rather than taking it the snarky direction I thought it would go, it took a very serious, very philosophical route. As Lorenzo plays this politician Mr. Bonforte, he learns everything about him, how he talks, how he walks, all of his ticks, he learns everything he stands for and how people think of him. As the role takes longer than expected Lorenzo becomes to respect and even idolize the man he is playing. Opening his eyes to the importance of Politics, and of having something you believe in so much your willing to do anything for it. It causes him to question how he's been living his life, and ultimately what it is he believes in, stands for, and would fight for.

         Other than a beautifully written transition of our main character, Heinlein also develops the beliefs of the Martians, as well as the politics of 2100 just enough to be believable and also relate-able. The points he touches on would apply to any government and politician and person, of any year and time. He stresses the importance of voting, with a great line explaining that when you pick sides, you may sometimes lose, but if you don't pick sides you will always lose. 
 I'm a very non-political person, I've never voted, and I tend to stay out of it. However reading this book, just like Lorenzo, I began to question myself. This book does a great job of very simply explaining the importance of these things. 

        There wasn't much action, and the story was pretty straight forward, but I have to say, the last 10 pages made this book for me. It left me breathless, and almost a little emotional. It was a fantastic, simple finale that drives the point home. The book being such a short read (128 pages was how long my 1957 Signet one was, but with font size it's probably closer to double that) makes the read worth it just for that finale. If anything will stick with me in that book, it'll be the very last paragraph.


In conclusion This was a surprising book for me, I was expecting more action and more snarkiness (I guess I was expecting a Vonnegut version of it?) But instead I was pleasantly surprised by a little straightforward, somewhat serious story of a man who figures out that there are things much bigger than us. I would definitely recommend it, however would warn that it might bore those expecting a more upbeat adventure.
. “Take sides! Always take sides! You will sometimes be wrong - but the man who refuses to take sides must always be wrong.”

One minute, down-and-out actor Lorenzo Smythe was - as usual - in a bar, drinking away his troubles as he watched his career go down the tubes. Then a space pilot bought him a drink, and the next thing Smythe knew, he was shanghaied to Mars. Suddenly he found himself agreeing to the most difficult role of his career: impersonating an important politician who had been kidnapped. Peace with the Martians was at stake - failure to pull off the act could result in interplanetary war. And Smythe's own life was on the line - for if he wasn't assassinated, there was always the possibility that he might be trapped in his new role forever!

Double Star

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