Written by: Robert A. Heinlein
Narrated by: Paul Michael Garcia
Originally Reviewed: 10-06-18 on audible.com
Rating: 1, must read for everyone
Every Boy’s Fantasy of Space and Significance
Just like Wil Wheaton’s character in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Max Jones is a intellectual prodigy who finds himself in a position that every boy (at least all my contemporaries with adolescence prior to the 21st century), would die to find themselves. Max is unaware of how special he really is with an eidetic memory and access to books he never should have seen. But he did, and the adventure begins after he realizes that he has no future on earth. Although the story is predictable and we all know that Max will eventually “make it” to his destiny, the real story is about Max, his character, and his growth from those he meets along the way (both positive and negative). All of this prepares him for the inevitable decision he has to and is willing to make, the decision that others are relying on from him that only he can do. It’s a risky decision, but Max’s audacious personality invariably saves the day. This was my first book with Paul Michael Garcia as narrator and I enjoyed it. I’m kind of partial to Wil Wheaton as a narrator and due to the comparison of the two characters at the beginning of my review, I would have preferred the later. Again, Garcia was great. I usually listen at 3x speed and had no issues with this version. Heinlein is my favorite author and this book is a top 10 of all of his book for me.
Project 19 