"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk

[Lynn McGuire]

"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/

The second book of a rare two book science fiction series by Heinlein.
I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback published by
Richard Chwedyk in 2021 and written by Heinlein in 1981. I bought this
copy new on Amazon, I also have a 1982 MMPB copy that I do not remember
reading back then.

The world of "Gulf" and "Friday" is way different from ours. Many
things are much more advanced yet the population of Earth is
significantly reduced due to constant wars and diseases. People can
travel to the Moon and the stars using the beanstalks but travel locally
using horses and carriages. Plus ballistic travel between the
continents from place to place in 30 minutes is common. Anti-gravity
devices are used but incredibly expensive. And the USA has been broken
up into several nation states along with Canada and others. And there
are several colonies in other star systems using huge FTL space ships,
much like the old ocean liners that carried both humans and cargo.

Friday Jones Baldwin is the biological daughter of the two secret agents
who died at the end of "Gulf" on Luna preventing the immolation of
Earth, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Greene. Of course, Friday's genes were
significantly enhanced for intelligence, strength, speed, and disease
resistance. And plus some genes from Kettle Belly "Two Canes" Baldwin,
her adopted father and her boss. Due to to the common saying, "her
mother was a test tube, her father was a sharp knife", Friday is an
artificial person with almost no rights and not a human. But nobody
knows that Friday is an artificial person as Kettle Belly adopted her
and created birth records for her. Unless, she tells her secret.

Friday is a combat ready courier and secret agent. Her enhanced speed,
strength, and training make her a formidable courier for moving valuable
materials in the dangerous world that Heinlein has built. She can kill
without remorse and loves freely, way too freely. In fact, Heinlein
brought his concept of group marriages to "Friday" that he wrote about
in "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress". He even destroys a group marriage to
show how easily they can break up also.

As always, Heinlein dedicated this book to his friends and this book is
dedicated to thirty-one strong ladies, including Roberta Pournelle,
Judy-Lynn Del Rey, Ginny (his wife), Marilyn Niven, Joan De Vinge,
Catherine Sprague de Camp, etc.
https://www.nitrosyncretic.com/rah/dedications.html

Warning, both "Gulf" and "Friday" have very detailed torture scenes in
them. The descriptions are quite breathtaking.

The Heinlein apologist, Hugo and Nebula award winning author Jo Walton
says this about "Friday" in a 2009 review, "The worst book I love:
Robert Heinlein’s Friday". She complains that there is no plot but to
me, the best plot is just life.

https://www.tor.com/2009/06/14/the-worst-book-i-love-robert-heinleins-friday/

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,044 reviews)

Lynn

[Joe Pfeiffer]

Post by Lynn McGuire
"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/
The second book of a rare two book science fiction series by
Heinlein. I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback
published by Richard Chwedyk in 2021 and written by Heinlein in 1981.
I bought this copy new on Amazon, I also have a 1982 MMPB copy that I
do not remember reading back then.
The world of "Gulf" and "Friday" is way different from ours.

Wow -- I'm embarrassed to say I bought "Friday" when it came out, but
have no recollection of ever hearing of "Gulf" until now.

[Martin]

Post by Joe Pfeiffer

Post by Lynn McGuire
"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/
The second book of a rare two book science fiction series by
Heinlein. I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback
published by Richard Chwedyk in 2021 and written by Heinlein in 1981.
I bought this copy new on Amazon, I also have a 1982 MMPB copy that I
do not remember reading back then.
The world of "Gulf" and "Friday" is way different from ours.

Wow -- I'm embarrassed to say I bought "Friday" when it came out, but
have no recollection of ever hearing of "Gulf" until now.

That's understandable. It's a bit of a misnomer to call it a two-book series. "Gulf" is a novella that was included in the collection Assignment in Eternity, not a separate book.

[Ted Nolan <tednolan>]

Post by Joe Pfeiffer

Post by Lynn McGuire
"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/
The second book of a rare two book science fiction series by
Heinlein. I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback
published by Richard Chwedyk in 2021 and written by Heinlein in 1981.
I bought this copy new on Amazon, I also have a 1982 MMPB copy that I
do not remember reading back then.
The world of "Gulf" and "Friday" is way different from ours.

Wow -- I'm embarrassed to say I bought "Friday" when it came out, but
have no recollection of ever hearing of "Gulf" until now.

I'm surprised it was never re-issued back-in-the-day as
"The pulse pounding pre-quell to the New York Times bestseller!"

[Lynn McGuire]

Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>

Post by Joe Pfeiffer

Post by Lynn McGuire
"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/
The second book of a rare two book science fiction series by
Heinlein. I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback
published by Richard Chwedyk in 2021 and written by Heinlein in 1981.
I bought this copy new on Amazon, I also have a 1982 MMPB copy that I
do not remember reading back then.
The world of "Gulf" and "Friday" is way different from ours.

Wow -- I'm embarrassed to say I bought "Friday" when it came out, but
have no recollection of ever hearing of "Gulf" until now.

I'm surprised it was never re-issued back-in-the-day as
"The pulse pounding pre-quell to the New York Times bestseller!"

Baen released "Assignment in Eternity" in 1987.

Lynn

[David Johnston]

Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>

Post by Joe Pfeiffer

Post by Lynn McGuire
"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/
The second book of a rare two book science fiction series by
Heinlein. I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback
published by Richard Chwedyk in 2021 and written by Heinlein in 1981.
I bought this copy new on Amazon, I also have a 1982 MMPB copy that I
do not remember reading back then.
The world of "Gulf" and "Friday" is way different from ours.

Wow -- I'm embarrassed to say I bought "Friday" when it came out, but
have no recollection of ever hearing of "Gulf" until now.

I'm surprised it was never re-issued back-in-the-day as
"The pulse pounding pre-quell to the New York Times bestseller!"

Too short. Also not particularly good.

[Lynn McGuire]

Post by Joe Pfeiffer

Post by Lynn McGuire
"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/
The second book of a rare two book science fiction series by
Heinlein. I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback
published by Richard Chwedyk in 2021 and written by Heinlein in 1981.
I bought this copy new on Amazon, I also have a 1982 MMPB copy that I
do not remember reading back then.
The world of "Gulf" and "Friday" is way different from ours.

Wow -- I'm embarrassed to say I bought "Friday" when it came out, but
have no recollection of ever hearing of "Gulf" until now.

"Gulf" is the first novella in the book "Assignment to Eternity", first
published in 1953. Sorry, I should have mentioned that. I reviewed it
here on Sept 22, 2022.

https://www.amazon.com/Assignment-Eternity-Robert-Heinlein/dp/0671653504/

Thanks,
Lynn

[Scott Lurndal]

Post by Joe Pfeiffer

Post by Lynn McGuire
"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/
The second book of a rare two book science fiction series by
Heinlein. I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback
published by Richard Chwedyk in 2021 and written by Heinlein in 1981.
I bought this copy new on Amazon, I also have a 1982 MMPB copy that I
do not remember reading back then.
The world of "Gulf" and "Friday" is way different from ours.

Wow -- I'm embarrassed to say I bought "Friday" when it came out, but
have no recollection of ever hearing of "Gulf" until now.

Calling the short story _Gulf_ and the novel _Friday_ a series is
a bit of a stretch, I think.

[Lynn McGuire]

Post by Scott Lurndal

Post by Joe Pfeiffer

Post by Lynn McGuire
"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/
The second book of a rare two book science fiction series by
Heinlein. I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback
published by Richard Chwedyk in 2021 and written by Heinlein in 1981.
I bought this copy new on Amazon, I also have a 1982 MMPB copy that I
do not remember reading back then.
The world of "Gulf" and "Friday" is way different from ours.

Wow -- I'm embarrassed to say I bought "Friday" when it came out, but
have no recollection of ever hearing of "Gulf" until now.

Calling the short story _Gulf_ and the novel _Friday_ a series is
a bit of a stretch, I think.

I call "Gulf" a novella. It is not a short story. But it is definitely
a prequel and therefore a series.

Lynn

[Mike Van Pelt]

Post by Lynn McGuire

Post by Scott Lurndal
Calling the short story _Gulf_ and the novel _Friday_ a series is
a bit of a stretch, I think.

I call "Gulf" a novella. It is not a short story. But it is definitely
a prequel and therefore a series.

I always felt there was a major disconnect between the Kettle-Belly
Baldwin of "Gulf", and the same character in "Friday". I couldn't
fathom that the first could have left his affairs in such disarray.

Someone elsewhere pointed out that Baldwin had made arrangements,
but several unexpected events upended them. But Baldwin was
sort of the master of dealing with unexpected events.

I need to go back and re-read both stories together.

[Lynn McGuire]

Post by Mike Van Pelt

Post by Lynn McGuire

Post by Scott Lurndal
Calling the short story _Gulf_ and the novel _Friday_ a series is
a bit of a stretch, I think.

I call "Gulf" a novella. It is not a short story. But it is definitely
a prequel and therefore a series.

I always felt there was a major disconnect between the Kettle-Belly
Baldwin of "Gulf", and the same character in "Friday". I couldn't
fathom that the first could have left his affairs in such disarray.
Someone elsewhere pointed out that Baldwin had made arrangements,
but several unexpected events upended them. But Baldwin was
sort of the master of dealing with unexpected events.
I need to go back and re-read both stories together.

I get the feeling that there is almost a hundred years between the two
stories. People change. And old people forget to do things.

Lynn

[Mike Van Pelt]

Post by Lynn McGuire

Post by Mike Van Pelt
I always felt there was a major disconnect between the Kettle-Belly
Baldwin of "Gulf", and the same character in "Friday". I couldn't
fathom that the first could have left his affairs in such disarray.

I get the feeling that there is almost a hundred years between the two
stories. People change. And old people forget to do things.

That could be, too. He was very old in "Friday".

[The Horny Goat]

On Tue, 11 Oct 2022 19:54:31 -0500, Lynn McGuire

Post by Lynn McGuire

Post by Mike Van Pelt
Someone elsewhere pointed out that Baldwin had made arrangements,
but several unexpected events upended them. But Baldwin was
sort of the master of dealing with unexpected events.
I need to go back and re-read both stories together.

I get the feeling that there is almost a hundred years between the two
stories. People change. And old people forget to do things.

As my 35 year old daughter is constantly telling me.

For instance back in late April we had a new furnace put in - and the
gas company has an $800 rebate program based on the efficiency of the
new furnace.

Guess who just this morning got around to applying for it one week
before the deadline?!?

(To be fair - this was more procrastination than forgetting)

[pyotr filipivich]

Post by Mike Van Pelt

Post by Lynn McGuire

Post by Scott Lurndal
Calling the short story _Gulf_ and the novel _Friday_ a series is
a bit of a stretch, I think.

I call "Gulf" a novella. It is not a short story. But it is definitely
a prequel and therefore a series.

I always felt there was a major disconnect between the Kettle-Belly
Baldwin of "Gulf", and the same character in "Friday". I couldn't
fathom that the first could have left his affairs in such disarray.
Someone elsewhere pointed out that Baldwin had made arrangements,
but several unexpected events upended them. But Baldwin was
sort of the master of dealing with unexpected events.

But in this case, Kettle Belly was not there to deal with them.

[Lynn McGuire]

Post by pyotr filipivich

Post by Mike Van Pelt

Post by Lynn McGuire

Post by Scott Lurndal
Calling the short story _Gulf_ and the novel _Friday_ a series is
a bit of a stretch, I think.

I call "Gulf" a novella. It is not a short story. But it is definitely
a prequel and therefore a series.

I always felt there was a major disconnect between the Kettle-Belly
Baldwin of "Gulf", and the same character in "Friday". I couldn't
fathom that the first could have left his affairs in such disarray.
Someone elsewhere pointed out that Baldwin had made arrangements,
but several unexpected events upended them. But Baldwin was
sort of the master of dealing with unexpected events.

But in this case, Kettle Belly was not there to deal with them.

Yup, dying is almost always unexpected. You always think that you have
another week to fix things up.

When my father-in-law passed in Sept 2020 (during the height of the
Koof), we did not expect it even though we had put him in a nursing
home for 6.5 years and he was turning 88 soon. My sister-in-law spent
the whole day with him after we took him back to the nursing home from a
week long hospital stay. He passed 30 minutes after she left. She was
really upset so I told her that he was waiting for her to leave so she
would not see him pass away.

Lynn

[pyotr filipivich]

Post by Lynn McGuire

Post by pyotr filipivich
But in this case, Kettle Belly was not there to deal with them.

Yup, dying is almost always unexpected. You always think that you have
another week to fix things up.
When my father-in-law passed in Sept 2020 (during the height of the
Koof), we did not expect it even though we had put him in a nursing
home for 6.5 years and he was turning 88 soon. My sister-in-law spent
the whole day with him after we took him back to the nursing home from a
week long hospital stay. He passed 30 minutes after she left. She was
really upset so I told her that he was waiting for her to leave so she
would not see him pass away.

I was debating whether to say or drive home for classes. Chess
told me that Mom had said when she was told I'd arrived "Oh dear, I
can't die while Peters here." Okay, that settled that.

[The Horny Goat]

On Wed, 12 Oct 2022 19:56:07 -0700, pyotr filipivich

Post by pyotr filipivich

Post by Lynn McGuire

Post by pyotr filipivich
But in this case, Kettle Belly was not there to deal with them.

Yup, dying is almost always unexpected. You always think that you have
another week to fix things up.
When my father-in-law passed in Sept 2020 (during the height of the
Koof), we did not expect it even though we had put him in a nursing
home for 6.5 years and he was turning 88 soon. My sister-in-law spent
the whole day with him after we took him back to the nursing home from a
week long hospital stay. He passed 30 minutes after she left. She was
really upset so I told her that he was waiting for her to leave so she
would not see him pass away.

I was debating whether to say or drive home for classes. Chess
told me that Mom had said when she was told I'd arrived "Oh dear, I
can't die while Peters here." Okay, that settled that.

My wife passed in March - she was completely unvaccinated and while
the coroner's report hasn't arrived yet (they did say 6 months was
common) my GP has told me that her symptoms were entirely cardiac
related but that COVID could have weakened her resistances. Based only
on my summation of her symptoms the night of her death he said that
her death was almost certainly NOT directly due to COVID. (And in the
process scared the heck out of my children since while I myself do not
have a history of heart issues in my family my wife definitely
did/does)

I told the GP that my wife's web browser search history showed at
least 10 searches to sites dealing with cardiac issues in the 3 weeks
before her death and that I had been urging her to make a checkup
appointment and while I understood there were things I could ask and
couldn't ask him asked whether she had booked a checkup or appointment
of any kind and he said no.

On the other hand, I have a friend I've known since childhood (50+
years ago in my case) who in 2021 lost her 80+ year old mother to
COVID. On her last visit she could see her mother was dying before her
eyes (through the glass) and after pulling the emergency cord to
summon help said "to hell with it" and held her mother while she lay
dying knowing darned well she herself would have to go through a 2
week quarantine but also knowing she had only one mother and didn't
want her dying alone.

[Lynn McGuire]

Post by The Horny Goat
On Wed, 12 Oct 2022 19:56:07 -0700, pyotr filipivich

Post by pyotr filipivich

Post by Lynn McGuire

Post by pyotr filipivich
But in this case, Kettle Belly was not there to deal with them.

Yup, dying is almost always unexpected. You always think that you have
another week to fix things up.
When my father-in-law passed in Sept 2020 (during the height of the
Koof), we did not expect it even though we had put him in a nursing
home for 6.5 years and he was turning 88 soon. My sister-in-law spent
the whole day with him after we took him back to the nursing home from a
week long hospital stay. He passed 30 minutes after she left. She was
really upset so I told her that he was waiting for her to leave so she
would not see him pass away.

I was debating whether to say or drive home for classes. Chess
told me that Mom had said when she was told I'd arrived "Oh dear, I
can't die while Peters here." Okay, that settled that.

My wife passed in March - she was completely unvaccinated and while
the coroner's report hasn't arrived yet (they did say 6 months was
common) my GP has told me that her symptoms were entirely cardiac
related but that COVID could have weakened her resistances. Based only
on my summation of her symptoms the night of her death he said that
her death was almost certainly NOT directly due to COVID. (And in the
process scared the heck out of my children since while I myself do not
have a history of heart issues in my family my wife definitely
did/does)
I told the GP that my wife's web browser search history showed at
least 10 searches to sites dealing with cardiac issues in the 3 weeks
before her death and that I had been urging her to make a checkup
appointment and while I understood there were things I could ask and
couldn't ask him asked whether she had booked a checkup or appointment
of any kind and he said no.
On the other hand, I have a friend I've known since childhood (50+
years ago in my case) who in 2021 lost her 80+ year old mother to
COVID. On her last visit she could see her mother was dying before her
eyes (through the glass) and after pulling the emergency cord to
summon help said "to hell with it" and held her mother while she lay
dying knowing darned well she herself would have to go through a 2
week quarantine but also knowing she had only one mother and didn't
want her dying alone.

The 30 year report on Covid will be interesting as we should have a
fairly complete understanding of Covid by then, hopefully. I asked my
eye doctor about getting Lasik back in 2005 when I was 45. He advised
waiting for the 30 year report as I had and have several eye problems,
not the least of which is imbalanced nearsightedness. I am glad that I
did not get it as the starburst problem came out after that for those of
us with large corneas (14 mm for me) and the laser is only 12 mm.

That is, interesting to those of us still around in 2050. In 2050, I
will be 90 should I live that long. Highly doubtful as I am a guy (rare
for us to live that long) and had my first heart attack at age 49 in 2009.

Lynn

[Lynn McGuire]

Post by Lynn McGuire
"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk
   https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/
The second book of a rare two book science fiction series by Heinlein. I
read the well printed and well bound trade paperback published by
Richard Chwedyk in 2021 and written by Heinlein in 1981.  I bought this
copy new on Amazon, I also have a 1982 MMPB copy that I do not remember
reading back then.
The world of "Gulf" and "Friday" is way different from ours.  Many
things are much more advanced yet the population of Earth is
significantly reduced due to constant wars and diseases.  People can
travel to the Moon and the stars using the beanstalks but travel locally
using horses and carriages.  Plus ballistic travel between the
continents from place to place in 30 minutes is common.  Anti-gravity
devices are used but incredibly expensive.  And the USA has been broken
up into several nation states along with Canada and others.  And there
are several colonies in other star systems using huge FTL space ships,
much like the old ocean liners that carried both humans and cargo.
Friday Jones Baldwin is the biological daughter of the two secret agents
who died at the end of "Gulf" on Luna preventing the immolation of
Earth, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Greene.  Of course, Friday's genes were
significantly enhanced for intelligence, strength, speed, and disease
resistance.  And plus some genes from Kettle Belly "Two Canes" Baldwin,
her adopted father and her boss.  Due to to the common saying, "her
mother was a test tube, her father was a sharp knife", Friday is an
artificial person with almost no rights and not a human.  But nobody
knows that Friday is an artificial person as Kettle Belly adopted her
and created birth records for her.  Unless, she tells her secret.
Friday is a combat ready courier and secret agent.  Her enhanced speed,
strength, and training make her a formidable courier for moving valuable
materials in the dangerous world that Heinlein has built.  She can kill
without remorse and loves freely, way too freely.  In fact, Heinlein
brought his concept of group marriages to "Friday" that he wrote about
in "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress".  He even destroys a group marriage to
show how easily they can break up also.
As always, Heinlein dedicated this book to his friends and this book is
dedicated to thirty-one strong ladies, including Roberta Pournelle,
Judy-Lynn Del Rey, Ginny (his wife), Marilyn Niven, Joan De Vinge,
Catherine Sprague de Camp, etc.
    https://www.nitrosyncretic.com/rah/dedications.html
Warning, both "Gulf" and "Friday" have very detailed torture scenes in
them.  The descriptions are quite breathtaking.
The Heinlein apologist, Hugo and Nebula award winning author Jo Walton
Robert Heinlein’s Friday".  She complains that there is no plot but to
me, the best plot is just life.
https://www.tor.com/2009/06/14/the-worst-book-i-love-robert-heinleins-friday/
My rating:  5 out of 5 stars
Amazon rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars (1,044 reviews)
Lynn

Am I right in thinking that "Friday" would be in no way labeled a Young
Adult book ?

Lynn

[-dsr-]

Post by Lynn McGuire
Am I right in thinking that "Friday" would be in no way labeled a Young
Adult book ?

I would agree. Friday is learning to make her way, but as an adult,
not as an adolescent coming into maturity.

I can see it might be marketed that way but I agree by no reasonable
standard can it be called the 'young adult' genre.

It's never been marketed that way, and it seems unlikely that it will.

The cover painting by Michael Whelan: https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/friday/
shows a model in a mostly unzipped jumpsuit, with remarkably phallic zipper
pull-tabs.

It contains a scattering of Heinleinian obsessions: polyamory, legal-financial
problems caused by mustache-twirling betrayal, cheap ground-to-orbit and
moderate expensive FTL, cruise ships, and evil taxes.

Also has an Internet run almost entirely as an integrated multimedia search engine.

-dsr-

[Ted Nolan <tednolan>]

Post by -dsr-

Post by Lynn McGuire
Am I right in thinking that "Friday" would be in no way labeled a Young
Adult book ?

I would agree. Friday is learning to make her way, but as an adult,
not as an adolescent coming into maturity.

I can see it might be marketed that way but I agree by no reasonable
standard can it be called the 'young adult' genre.

It's never been marketed that way, and it seems unlikely that it will.
https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/friday/
shows a model in a mostly unzipped jumpsuit, with remarkably phallic zipper
pull-tabs.
It contains a scattering of Heinleinian obsessions: polyamory, legal-financial
problems caused by mustache-twirling betrayal, cheap ground-to-orbit and
moderate expensive FTL, cruise ships, and evil taxes.
Also has an Internet run almost entirely as an integrated multimedia search engine.
-dsr-

The polyamory & sex in general would have been a YA deal-breaker at the
time of publication. Probably not so much now. (But I still don't think
_Friday_ would fit).

[The Horny Goat]

Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>
The polyamory & sex in general would have been a YA deal-breaker at the
time of publication. Probably not so much now. (But I still don't think
_Friday_ would fit).
--

One wonders if that jump suit would either - certainly the cover on MY
copy (either long gone or in a box somewhere) but certainly not the
cover at
https://www.amazon.ca/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/ref=asc_df_1647100259/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459570889342&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2777652193581257372&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001576&hvtargid=pla-1079418750878&psc=1&mcid=31e7c9b3d64d3bf4879ffdd1969d7fcc
would certainly have been attractive to older male teenagers as I
recall...

[Lynn McGuire]

Post by The Horny Goat

Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>
The polyamory & sex in general would have been a YA deal-breaker at the
time of publication. Probably not so much now. (But I still don't think
_Friday_ would fit).
--

One wonders if that jump suit would either - certainly the cover on MY
copy (either long gone or in a box somewhere) but certainly not the
cover at
https://www.amazon.ca/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/ref=asc_df_1647100259/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459570889342&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2777652193581257372&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001576&hvtargid=pla-1079418750878&psc=1&mcid=31e7c9b3d64d3bf4879ffdd1969d7fcc
would certainly have been attractive to older male teenagers as I
recall...

My wife had a red one just like it when she was 23 in 1981. I liked the
zipper that I was not allowed to touch.
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein-1983-07-12/dp/B01FEK9TIY/

Lynn

[Dimensional Traveler]

Post by The Horny Goat

Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>
The polyamory & sex in general would have been a YA deal-breaker at the
time of publication.  Probably not so much now.  (But I still don't
think
_Friday_ would fit).
--

One wonders if that jump suit would either - certainly the cover on MY
copy (either long gone or in a box somewhere) but certainly not the
cover at
https://www.amazon.ca/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/ref=asc_df_1647100259/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459570889342&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2777652193581257372&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001576&hvtargid=pla-1079418750878&psc=1&mcid=31e7c9b3d64d3bf4879ffdd1969d7fcc
would certainly have been attractive to older male teenagers as I
recall...

My wife had a red one just like it when she was 23 in 1981.  I liked the
zipper that I was not allowed to touch.
   https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein-1983-07-12/dp/B01FEK9TIY/

Because its position changed with her mood...

[Christian Weisgerber]

Post by Lynn McGuire
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein-1983-07-12/dp/B01FEK9TIY/

Is that (very strongly inspired by) Raquel Welch?

[Ted Nolan <tednolan>]

Post by Christian Weisgerber

Post by Lynn McGuire
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein-1983-07-12/dp/B01FEK9TIY/

Is that (very strongly inspired by) Raquel Welch?

I, for one, am very strongly inspired by Raquel Welch..

[Scott Dorsey]

Post by Christian Weisgerber

Post by Lynn McGuire
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein-1983-07-12/dp/B01FEK9TIY/

Is that (very strongly inspired by) Raquel Welch?

I think that in that era, all young men were inspired by Raquel Welch.
--scott

[Scott Lurndal]

Post by Scott Dorsey

Post by Christian Weisgerber

Post by Lynn McGuire
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein-1983-07-12/dp/B01FEK9TIY/

Is that (very strongly inspired by) Raquel Welch?

I think that in that era, all young men were inspired by Raquel Welch.

It was Farrah Fawcett in the 80's when _Friday_ was released.

[Scott Dorsey]

Post by Scott Lurndal

Post by Scott Dorsey

Post by Christian Weisgerber

Post by Lynn McGuire
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein-1983-07-12/dp/B01FEK9TIY/

Is that (very strongly inspired by) Raquel Welch?

I think that in that era, all young men were inspired by Raquel Welch.

It was Farrah Fawcett in the 80's when _Friday_ was released.

I grant that she was very inspiring as well.
--scott

[Christian Weisgerber]

Post by Scott Lurndal

Post by Scott Dorsey

Post by Christian Weisgerber

Post by Lynn McGuire
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein-1983-07-12/dp/B01FEK9TIY/

Is that (very strongly inspired by) Raquel Welch?

I think that in that era, all young men were inspired by Raquel Welch.

It was Farrah Fawcett in the 80's when _Friday_ was released.

That cover does not look like Farrah Fawcett.

[Kevrob]

Post by Scott Lurndal

Post by Scott Dorsey

Post by Christian Weisgerber

Post by Lynn McGuire
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein-1983-07-12/dp/B01FEK9TIY/

Is that (very strongly inspired by) Raquel Welch?

I think that in that era, all young men were inspired by Raquel Welch.

It was Farrah Fawcett in the 80's when _Friday_ was released.

ObSF film: both of them in the wonderfully awful _Myra Breckinridge_.

[Kevrob]

Post by Scott Lurndal

Post by Scott Dorsey

Post by Christian Weisgerber

Post by Lynn McGuire
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein-1983-07-12/dp/B01FEK9TIY/

Is that (very strongly inspired by) Raquel Welch?

I think that in that era, all young men were inspired by Raquel Welch.

It was Farrah Fawcett in the 80's when _Friday_ was released.

Both in the film of _Myra Breckinridge_ .

[pyotr filipivich]

Post by Lynn McGuire

Post by The Horny Goat

Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>
The polyamory & sex in general would have been a YA deal-breaker at the
time of publication. Probably not so much now. (But I still don't think
_Friday_ would fit).
--

One wonders if that jump suit would either - certainly the cover on MY
copy (either long gone or in a box somewhere) but certainly not the
cover at
https://www.amazon.ca/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/ref=asc_df_1647100259/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459570889342&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2777652193581257372&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001576&hvtargid=pla-1079418750878&psc=1&mcid=31e7c9b3d64d3bf4879ffdd1969d7fcc
would certainly have been attractive to older male teenagers as I
recall...

My wife had a red one just like it when she was 23 in 1981. I liked the
zipper that I was not allowed to touch.
https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein-1983-07-12/dp/B01FEK9TIY/

Dad referred to Mom's as the "quick access suit".

[pyotr filipivich]

Post by The Horny Goat

Post by Ted Nolan <tednolan>
The polyamory & sex in general would have been a YA deal-breaker at the
time of publication. Probably not so much now. (But I still don't think
_Friday_ would fit).
--

One wonders if that jump suit would either - certainly the cover on MY
copy (either long gone or in a box somewhere) but certainly not the
cover at
https://www.amazon.ca/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/ref=asc_df_1647100259/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459570889342&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2777652193581257372&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001576&hvtargid=pla-1079418750878&psc=1&mcid=31e7c9b3d64d3bf4879ffdd1969d7fcc
would certainly have been attractive to older male teenagers as I
recall...

And males older than teenage.

[Kevrob]

Post by Lynn McGuire

Post by Lynn McGuire
"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk
    https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/
The second book of a rare two book science fiction series by Heinlein.
I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback published by
Richard Chwedyk in 2021 and written by Heinlein in 1981.  I bought
this copy new on Amazon, I also have a 1982 MMPB copy that I do not
remember reading back then.
The world of "Gulf" and "Friday" is way different from ours.  Many
things are much more advanced yet the population of Earth is
significantly reduced due to constant wars and diseases.  People can
travel to the Moon and the stars using the beanstalks but travel
locally using horses and carriages.  Plus ballistic travel between the
continents from place to place in 30 minutes is common.  Anti-gravity
devices are used but incredibly expensive.  And the USA has been
broken up into several nation states along with Canada and others.
And there are several colonies in other star systems using huge FTL
space ships, much like the old ocean liners that carried both humans
and cargo.
Friday Jones Baldwin is the biological daughter of the two secret
agents who died at the end of "Gulf" on Luna preventing the immolation
of Earth, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Greene.  Of course, Friday's genes were
significantly enhanced for intelligence, strength, speed, and disease
resistance.  And plus some genes from Kettle Belly "Two Canes"
Baldwin, her adopted father and her boss.  Due to to the common
saying, "her mother was a test tube, her father was a sharp knife",
Friday is an artificial person with almost no rights and not a human.
But nobody knows that Friday is an artificial person as Kettle Belly
adopted her and created birth records for her.  Unless, she tells her
secret.
Friday is a combat ready courier and secret agent.  Her enhanced
speed, strength, and training make her a formidable courier for moving
valuable materials in the dangerous world that Heinlein has built.
She can kill without remorse and loves freely, way too freely.  In
fact, Heinlein brought his concept of group marriages to "Friday" that
he wrote about in "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress".  He even destroys a
group marriage to show how easily they can break up also.
As always, Heinlein dedicated this book to his friends and this book
is dedicated to thirty-one strong ladies, including Roberta Pournelle,
Judy-Lynn Del Rey, Ginny (his wife), Marilyn Niven, Joan De Vinge,
Catherine Sprague de Camp, etc.
     https://www.nitrosyncretic.com/rah/dedications.html
Warning, both "Gulf" and "Friday" have very detailed torture scenes in
them.  The descriptions are quite breathtaking.
The Heinlein apologist, Hugo and Nebula award winning author Jo Walton
Robert Heinlein’s Friday".  She complains that there is no plot but to
me, the best plot is just life.
https://www.tor.com/2009/06/14/the-worst-book-i-love-robert-heinleins-friday/
My rating:  5 out of 5 stars
Amazon rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars (1,044 reviews)
Lynn

Am I right in thinking that "Friday" would be in no way labeled a Young
Adult book ?
Lynn

Not a YA novel, at all. (That was a joke, right?)

_Friday_ was not rare. I was working in the bookstore trade in the 80s.
It sold many copies. Not rare at all.

[Scott Lurndal]

Post by Kevrob

Post by Lynn McGuire

Post by Lynn McGuire
"Friday" By Robert A. Heinlein with introduction by Richard Chwedyk
    https://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/1647100259/
The second book of a rare two book science fiction series by Heinlein.
I read the well printed and well bound trade paperback published by
Richard Chwedyk in 2021 and written by Heinlein in 1981.  I bought
this copy new on Amazon, I also have a 1982 MMPB copy that I do not
remember reading back then.

Am I right in thinking that "Friday" would be in no way labeled a Young
Adult book ?
Lynn

Not a YA novel, at all. (That was a joke, right?)
_Friday_ was not rare. I was working in the bookstore trade in the 80s.
It sold many copies. Not rare at all.

I believe 'rare' applied to "two-book series", not _Friday_ itself.

And I don't know that I'd consider _Gulf_ + _Friday_ as a two-book
series.

[Mike Van Pelt]

Post by Scott Lurndal
And I don't know that I'd consider _Gulf_ + _Friday_ as a
two-book series.

_Friday_ really cried out for a book between it and _Gulf_.
I just couldn't believe that the super-competent Baldwin
in _Gulf_ would have left his affairs in such a state of
disarray as he did in _Friday_. And what was the rift
between him and the organization in _Gulf_? Why was
the "think faster and more accurately" langage not
mentioned in _Friday_?