'Orphans of the Sky' is a novel set on a generation ship where the passengers have forgotten their original purpose and believe the ship to be their entire universe. Divided into two groups - the descendants of the crew who maintain a primitive society and the mutated humans who live in the upper levels - the story follows the protagonist, Hugh Hoyland, as he discovers the truth about the ship and sets out to restore its mission. The book explores themes of rediscovery, societal devolution, and the clash between orthodoxy and scientific progress, all within the confines of a starship adrift in space.

Characters:

The characters include a curious young scientist, mutants who serve as unexpected teachers, and poorly developed female characters, reflecting the societal norms of the time.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is fast-paced and engaging, combining action with philosophical elements, reflecting its 1940s origins.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around a multi-generational ship's inhabitants who forget their purpose and the existence of the outside universe, leading to a primitive society until the protagonist learns the truth.

Setting:

The setting is a vast, derelict generation ship where inhabitants are divided into a primitive society unaware of their reality versus intelligent mutants.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick, maintaining reader engagement with action and discovery, although the conclusion feels rushed.

The Proxima Centauri Expedition, sponsored by the Jordan Foundation in 2119, was the first recorded attempt to reach the nearer stars of this galaxy. Whatever its unhappy fate we can only conjecture. ...

Notes:

The novel was originally published as two short stories in 1941.

It features a generation ship where the inhabitants have forgotten they are on a spaceship and believe it is their entire world.

The main character, Hugh Hoyland, explores the ship and eventually learns about the universe beyond it.

The story includes themes of rebellion, discovery, and questioning of belief systems.

There are two distinct populations on the ship: a primitive peasant society and a group of mutated humans.

The ship is described as being 5 miles long and 2,000 feet wide.

Violence and brutality are prevalent themes throughout the story, including cannibalism and infanticide.

The treatment of women in the novel has been criticized, as they are often depicted as subservient and without agency.

Hugh's journey includes being kidnapped by mutants, who teach him about the truth of the ship and the stars.

The book explores concepts of knowledge, ignorance, and the consequences of believing in false narratives.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of violence, cannibalism, and the brutal treatment of women, as they are depicted as chattel with little agency.

From The Publisher:

Heinlein's 1951 novel offers a ship drifting through the currents of space as a microcosm of society, complete with class struggles, politics (including war between inhabitants of different decks), and love and family.

Protagonist Hugh Hoyland fights to understand it all and to bring unity to the crew

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Orphans of the Sky

Robert A. Heinlein

Book 6 in the series:Future History/Heinlein Timeline