They

by Robert A. Heinlein

"'They' is a science fiction short story by American writer Robert A. Heinlein. It was first published in the April 1941 issue of Unknown, and can be found in Heinlein's short story collection 'The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag.' It also appears in a number of multi-author anthologies."
-- Wikipedia

Genres: Short Stories, Science Fiction, Mystery, Fiction

Unknown Binding

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

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initial publication date has
been noted. Then re-printed
in Science Fiction Terror Tales
which was printed in 1955.

I would like to give this at least 10 stars.

One of the best SF short stories and probably
one of the best ever short stories that I
have read in my life.

And I have read a ton of SF short
stories and a ton of short stories
in my life.

[Shawn Dewar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wonder why "they" don't want this story to exist.

[Jeff Yoak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this a number of times, but somehow goodreads lost this data, probably because of its not being a stand-alone book.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story for the first time on a rainy afternoon, the kind that makes paranoia feel plausible. It was the perfect setting. Heinlein’s story crept under my skin slowly, presenting madness with such calm logic that it felt almost reasonable.

The first reading left me chilled. The second left me disturbed.

What struck me most was how the story weaponises certainty. The narrator’s belief is airtight. Flawless. And that’s precisely what makes it terrifying. I remember finishing the story and looking around the room, half-aware of how easily perspective can become a prison.

Reading it again in a more cynical age—post social media, post algorithmic echo chambers—the story felt prophetic. They aren’t just about paranoia; they’re about epistemology. About what happens when belief becomes self-sealing.

I put the book down feeling exposed. Heinlein doesn’t tell you the narrator is insane. He lets you arrive there—and then makes you question how far you really are from him.

Recommended.

[Gr1972 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5

[Randall Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great dialogue and philosophical thought process. Ending was good but feels like it could be better.

[Spenser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful short story from Heinlein, I listened to this really well done audio book version. Feels like Twilight Zone as a radio show.

https://youtu.be/EZ3f2xn5jq0

[Forked Radish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bingo! Bullseye! My sentiments exactly. RAH’s early work is so much better than his later trash that he may have been a real Benjamin Button.

[رزی - Woman, Life, Liberty · Rating 4 out of 5]

به من گفته‌اند که دقیقاً چند سال قبل به دنیا آمده‌ام و در زمانی تقریبا برابر با همین مدت در آینده، خواهم مرد. قصه‌های خنده‌دار زیادی راجع به این که قبل از تولد کجا بوده‌ام یا پس از مرگ کجا خواهم رفت به من تحویل داده‌اند؛ ولی همه این‌ها دروغ‌هایی بی‌شرمانه هستند. شاید قصدشان گمراه کردن نباشد، ولی برای پنهان کردن حقیقت به کار گرفته شده‌اند. به هر طریق ممکن، جهان اطرافم می‌کوشد تا مرا مطمئن سازد که فانی هستم، تنها چند سال در این‌جا خواهم بود، و چند سال بعد کاملاً معدوم خواهم شد. کاملاً غلط است. من نامیرا هستم. من از این محور حقیر زمان فراترم. یک دوره هفتاد ساله تنها بخش بی‌اهمیتی از تجارب من است. پس از این حقیقت قطعی که من وجود دارم، احساس اطمینانی متقاعد کننده از تداوم حضور من وجود دارد. ممکن است که من همچون یک منحنی بسته باشم، ولی بسته یا باز، آغاز یا پایانی ندارم. خودآگاهی امری نسبی نیست؛ بلکه مطلق است و کسی نمی‌تواند آن را در من ایجاد کند یا از میان ببرد. ولی از آن‌جا که حافظه یکی از جنبه‌های نسبی هوشیاری است، می‌توان آن را دستکاری کرد یا از میان برد.