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The thing about Heinlein is that everyone thinks that Lazarus Long (the protagonist of the book this is taken from) is just a mouthpiece for Heinlein himself. H
by learc83 14y ago
The thing about Heinlein is that everyone thinks that Lazarus Long (the protagonist of the book this is taken from) is just a mouthpiece for Heinlein himself. However, Heinlein is just really good at writing from a particular character's viewpoint.
If you notice whenever the pov is centered on Lazarus, he seems to be a superman who can do nearly anything.
But frequently when the viewpoint shifts to another character, Lazarus' flaws become much clearer, and he seems much more human.
- saraid216 14y agoThat doesn't really change the fact that Lazarus Long (and Jubal Harshaw, for that matter) are basically in-character excuses to espouse Heinlein's views on life, the universe, and everything. Just because he's aware of his own views' flaws doesn't make them not his views. An author surrogate is not necessarily a Mary Sue.