The Door To Summer

by Robert A. Heinlein

Genres: Science Fiction

Paperback

Published January 1, 1957

About the author

Robert Anson Heinlein was an American science fiction author, aeronautical engineer, and naval officer. Sometimes called the "dean of science fiction writers", he was among the first to emphasize scientific accuracy in his fiction, and was thus a pioneer of the subgenre of hard science fiction. His published works, both fiction and non-fiction, express admiration for competence and emphasize the value of critical thinking. His plots often posed provocative situations which challenged conventional social mores. His work continues to have an influence on the science-fiction genre, and on modern culture more generally.
Heinlein became one of the first American science-fiction writers to break into mainstream magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post in the late 1940s. He was one of the best-selling science-fiction novelists for many decades, and he, Isaac Asimov, and Arthur C. Clarke are often considered the "Big Three" of English-language science fiction authors. Notable Heinlein works include Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers (which helped mold the space marine and mecha archetypes) and The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. His work sometimes had controversial aspects, such as plural marriage in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress, militarism in Starship Troopers and technologically competent women characters who were formidable, yet often stereotypically feminine—such as Friday.
Heinlein used his science fiction as a way to explore provocative social and political ideas and to speculate how progress in science and engineering might shape the future of politics, race, religion, and sex. Within the framework of his science-fiction stories, Heinlein repeatedly addressed certain social themes: the importance of individual liberty and self-reliance, the nature of sexual relationships, the obligation individuals owe to their societies, the influence of organized religion on culture and government, and the tendency of society to repress nonconformist thought. He also speculated on the influence of space travel on human cultural practices.
Heinlein was named the first Science Fiction Writers Grand Master in 1974. Four of his novels won Hugo Awards. In addition, fifty years after publication, seven of his works were awarded "Retro Hugos"—awards given retrospectively for works that were published before the Hugo Awards came into existence. In his fiction, Heinlein coined terms that have become part of the English language, including grok, waldo and speculative fiction, as well as popularizing existing terms like "TANSTAAFL", "pay it forward", and "space marine". He also anticipated mechanical computer-aided design with "Drafting Dan" and described a modern version of a waterbed in his novel Beyond This Horizon.
Also wrote under Pen names: Anson McDonald, Lyle Monroe, Caleb Saunders, John Riverside and Simon York.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 for some of the interesting solutions to time travel.
2.5 for some of the cringy 1957 stuff that didn’t time travel well to 2023.

Average score is, therefore, 3.0.

[Max NZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In my opinion, “Door into Summer” is what can be called a classic of the genre. Even though the title is somewhat misleading and, one could say, does not correspond to the story at all, the story itself is very light and elegant.

The book is a pleasure to read and is not overloaded with unnecessary elements. The story is delivered calmly and pleasantly, and the author makes every effort to help the reader fully immerse in the created world.

Generally, “Door into Summer” deserves the attention of any lover of the genre. Despite the fact that the title is misleading, the story itself leaves only positive impressions and evokes a desire to return to it again and pick up other works by Heinlein.

[Louise Cooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

What I Liked:
Pete the Cat
The accurate predictions of the future: roombas, autocorrect fails, different slang, etc.
The hilariously dated predictions: advanced typewriters, snail mail, etc.
The predictions I wished were true: an end to the common cold, machines that clean and tidy for you, etc.

What Disliked:
The revolting storyline where the main character convinced his partner's 11-year-old daughter to grow up and then enter cold sleep aka suspended animation to be with him. Yuck yuck yuck!!!!

Side note: I like that the book opened with Pete trying to find the literal doorway to summer, which then was metaphorically sought out.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked how the elements of technology and time travel are described and the world they create. what i did not like is the weird storyline involving Dan having a relationship with a child, bonus judgement points for the fact that when he marries her as an adult he describes holding her “little hand.”

[Mary Lofgren · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some fun sci-fi aspects, and it is always interesting to see those past predictions present in modern society, but the characters were not compelling. The female characters were particularly thin stereotypes, lending to the misogynistic tones.

[Shed · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Heinlein book!

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Vintage sci fi is so much fun until a major plot point is that his girlfriend is an eleven year old?

[Bovo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es una obra interesante, y abarca muy bien los temas de ciencia ficción y paradojas temporales... Más o menos, recomiendo leerlo, es cortito

[Stefanie M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darn, but for the cringe it is a fairly good futuristic retro sci-fi...

[Nick Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enjoying this until the grooming

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. The romantic relationship with his friends daughter has not aged well.