Optional started reading Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
Recently rewatched the movie and enjoyed it less than the first time around. Maybe the book's better?
Paul Czege replied to Optional's status
@optional
The book is pro-military, utterly serious, and not anti-military satire. It envisions a paternalistic military.
It provoked other writers with different politics to write contrary narratives. If you want the anti-military satirical response, it's Bill the Galactic Hero, by Harry Harrison.
Optional replied to Paul Czege's status
@PaulCzege@dice.camp oh no! Thanks for the hint and the recommendation. The vibes in chapter 1 were a bit off, but now I know 😅
Paul Czege replied to Optional's status
This is a useful thing if you ever want to check the politics of a classic SF writer. A bunch of them signed opposing statements about the Vietnam War that were published in Galaxy in 1968. You can see Heinlein and Pournelle and others on the one side, and Harrison and LeGuin and others on the opposing side.
https://alexcoxfilms.wordpress.com/2014/07/17/american-science-fiction-writers-and-the-vietnam-war/