The Pursuit of the Pankera - by Robert A Heinlein

Book Synopsis

First paperback publication of the national bestseller by one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time.

"An absolutely essential and 'must read' novel for the legions of Robert Heinlein fans, The Pursuit of the Pankera: A Parallel Novel About Parallel Universes is an extraordinary work of science fiction"-Midwest Book Review

"Heinlein still offers a rollicking ride even after all these years."- The Oklahoman

The Pursuit of the Pankera is one of the most audacious experiments ever done in science fiction by the legendary author of the classic bestseller Starship Troopers.

Robert A. Heinlein wrote The Number of the Beast, which was published in 1980. In the book Zeb, Deety, Hilda and Jake are ambushed by the alien "Black Hats" and barely escape with their lives on a specially configured vehicle (the Gay Deceiver) which can travel along various planes of existence, allowing them to visit parallel universes.

However, unknown to most fans, Heinlein had already written a "parallel" novel about the four characters and parallel universes in 1977. He effectively wrote two parallel novels about parallel universes. The novels share the same start, but as soon as the Gay Deceiver is used to transport them to a parallel universe, each book transports them to a totally different parallel world.

From that point on the plot lines diverge completely. While The Number of the Beast morphs into something very different, more representative of later Heinlein works, The Pursuit of the Pankera remains on target with a much more traditional Heinleinesque storyline and ending, reminiscent of his earlier works.

The Pursuit of the Pankera was never published and there have been many competing theories as to why (including significant copyright issues in 1977). Over time the manuscript was largely forgotten but survived in fragments. A recent re-examination of these fragments, however, made it clear that put together in the right order they constituted the complete novel.

And here it finally is: Robert A. Heinlein's audacious experiment. A fitting farewell from one of the most inventive science fiction writers to have ever lived: a parallel novel about parallel universes as well as a great adventure pitting the forces of good versus evil only the way Heinlein could do.

Review Quotes

"The Pursuit of the Pankera is old-school Heinlein: the writer we all loved taking us on one more great ride. For those of us with a fondness for the rollicking Heinlein of the early days, with larger-than-life oh-so-competent characters and snappy, just-this-side-of-screwball-comedy dialog, this lost gem is a must."- Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author of The Oppenheimer Alternative

This previously unpublished manuscript by Grand Master Heinlein will be in demand by his many fans and readers interested in the history of the genre. It's based on the same premise and features the same characters as his The Number of the Beast (1980). Indeed, the first third of the book is identical. But the novel then veers into an entirely different story, appropriately, since the books are based on travel through alternate worlds. As in Beast, our intrepid explorers travel to various fictional universes: Burroughs' Barsoom, Baum's Land of Oz, Smith's Lensman universe, confronting the idea that all fictional universes exist somewhere in the multiverse. Beast is recognized as the first work of Heinlein's late style, but The Pursuit of the Pankera is mostly in his middle style and occasionally hearkens back to his earliest pulp action writings. Together, the two novels offer fascinating insight into an inflection point in the evolution of one of science fiction's greatest writers. Pankeracan also be read on its own, though it will be of greatest interest to Heinlein fans.

An absolutely essential and 'must read' novel for the legions of Robert Heinlein fans, The Pursuit of the Pankera: A Parallel Novel About Parallel Universes, /i> is an extraordinary work of science fiction and a welcome addition to both community and academic library collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that The Pursuit of the Pankera: A Parallel Novel About Parallel Universes is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: This edition of The Pursuit of the Pankera: A Parallel Novel About Parallel Universes is enhanced for Heinlein fans and academia with the inclusion of an informative introduction by David Weber, an American science fiction and fantasy author who has written several science-fiction and fantasy books series, who is best known for his Honor Harrington science-fiction series.