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Lost Legacy

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Lost Legacy is a captivating novella by Robert A. Heinlein, exploring human potential and psychic abilities. The plot follows three friends who rediscover dormant telepathic and telekinetic powers in a near-future America. Along the way, they encounter the legendary writer Ambrose Bierce, who reveals a hidden community of superpowered individuals living in the caves of Mount Shasta.

Heinlein's writing style in this early work is concise and engaging, effectively packing a rich narrative into a short form. The story begins strongly but wavers slightly as it progresses. While it tackles intriguing themes of personal development and the limits of human capability, some characterizations feel lacking. Overall, Lost Legacy successfully intrigues readers with its imaginative premise and thoughtful reflections.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by concise and engaging prose, effectively balancing storytelling with deeper themes, creating a narrative that is both accessible and thought-provoking.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative delves into the rediscovery of human psychic capabilities and the conflict that arises from suppressive forces. It involves a group of friends who embark on an adventure that unveils hidden potential while facing external threats.

Setting:

Set in a near-future America, primarily around Mount Shasta, the environment combines natural landscapes with psychic realms, highlighting a society recovering from a collapse.

Pacing:

The pacing fluctuates, with a strong start followed by slower sections, culminating in an engaging finale that may feel rushed, reflecting the novella's early concise style.
The man addressed ostentatiously ignored the salutation while handing a yellow slicker and soggy felt hat to the Faculty Clubroom attendant, but accepted the chair. His first words were to the negro a...

Notes:

Lost Legacy was first published in September 1941 as part of Super Science Stories.
The story features Ambrose Bierce, a famous writer who mysteriously disappeared in 1913.
Heinlein wrote Lost Legacy when he was 34 years old, showing a different style compared to his later work.
The novella explores the idea of hidden human abilities like telepathy and telekinesis.
It suggests that most humans have innate psychic powers they are unaware of.
The story is set in a near future America after a collapse in Europe and Asia.
Technology in the story includes Picturephones and pocketphones.
The main characters are three friends from a California university: Joan, Ben, and Phil.
They take a road trip to Mount Shasta after discovering their powers.
Ambrose Bierce heals Phil's broken leg through hypnosis.
The residents of the caves near Mount Shasta have developed a power similar to the Force in Star Wars, focusing more on art than fighting.
The story implies historical figures like Mark Twain and Abraham Lincoln had similar abilities and were part of a hidden society.
A major theme is the conflict between a corrupt elite and those who wish to awaken humanity's potential.

From The Publisher:

Lost Legacy is a novella by science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein. Originally published in the November, 1941 issue of Super Science Stories, it was collected in the book Assignment in Eternity.

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