Author: Robert Heinlein
Narrator: Tom Weiner
Length: 10 hrs 28 mins
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
My Review
Heinlein’s post-apocalyptic novel spans the full spectrum of controversial topics. Nearly every situation presented in the novel puts pressure on one nerve or the other. Racism is the nerve that seems to be pinched the hardest. The novel starts in a white suburban home with a black servant and flips to a future world dominated by an advanced civilization of blacks who take whites as slaves.
Hugh Farnham is a practical man of many skills who has gradually become mired in a passionless & unrewarding marriage. Even though he is unhappy, he still brings all his knowledge and skills to bear in order to protect his family from a nuclear threat. All of his preparations are scoffed at by his son who doesn’t believe there will ever be a nuclear attack.
When the warning comes through on the radio Hugh immediately jumps into action and moves his friends and family into his shelter as quickly as possible. He does everything within his power to keep his family safe. Sometimes he seems to take this position to an extreme.
While listening to all of the preparations that Hugh put into his bomb shelter it really made me realize just how screwed I would be if there was suddenly a nuclear attack. I would be scrambling into my basement carrying a half dozen cans of corn and wearing a baseball helmet.
To Hugh Farnham race doesn’t really seem to be a big factor in how he interacts with people. Unfortunately Hugh’s wife (Grace) and son (Duke) don’t share Hugh’s sensibilities regarding race. This leads to several arguments regarding their former servant’s responsibilities after they survive the nuclear attack. Hugh’s wife expects their old servant (Joe) to cater to her every need insisting that he will get every dime that is coming to him. Since Grace had to this point spent most of the book in a drunken stupor, it is hard to understand whether she has always been this belligerent or if the stress of the nuclear attack has caused her to flip out. She seems blind to the fact that the world as she knew it no longer exists.
This of course, is only one of many issues that arise when the Farnham’s shelter is propelled 2,000 yrs into the future. Their struggle for survival leads their group into a world that no longer makes sense.
There are several interesting plot twists that I want to be very careful not to spoil.. so I’m going to wrap up this review.
Farnham’s Freehold was a very intriguing listen. My only complaint is that I wish it was a little longer. A nice epilogue explaining a little more about what becomes of the characters would have been appreciated. Other than that I was very impressed. I’m planning on delving into a few more Heinlein books as soon as I get a chance.
Audio Production: Great production quality. Tom Weiner was a perfect selection to narrate. Every character was completely believable and sounded natural. I have listened to a few Tom Weiner books and I am always impressed with how well his voice helps solidify the characters.
Tom Weiner is also great in Vampire$ by John Steakley – also from Blackstone Audio
Get your copy of Farnham’s Freehold by Robert Heinlein
Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher
