The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress story

novel: The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress (1966) · 1966-06-02 · Robert A. Heinlein

The story follows a lunar colony's revolt against rule from Earth.

30 total · 2 choice · 9 major · 19 minor

ThemeLevelMotivation
revolution in society choice The story followed a group of revolutionaries on the Moon who, with the help of a powerful sentient computer, hatched (and executed) a plot to overthrow the Earth-backed Lunar Authority.
sentient computer choice A HOLMES IV computer on the Moon achieved self-awareness, befriended a small group of revolutionaries, and helped them to the overthrow the Earth-backed Lunar Authority.
biased sex-ratio society major The sex-ratio on Luna about two men to each woman, resulting in polyandry being the norm.
colonization of the Moon major The Moon was colonized with the inhabitants living in underground cities.
diplomacy major Book 2 followed the revolutionaries as their attempted to negotiate with various nation of Earth to get the Moon recognized as an independent state.
free market vs. regulated market major The revolutionaries touted the virtues of unregulated free markets. In practice, a generally unregulated free market existed on the Moon except where exchange involved the Lunar Authority.
friendship major Mannie and Mike became the best of friends.
interplanetary war major Book 3 followed a war that saw the Federated Nations on Earth send armies to destroy the Lunar revolution.
polyamorous relationship major Mannie was in a type of group marriage known as a line marriage. We saw, by and large harmonious, interactions between him and his wife and one of his co-husbands.
resistance movement major Book 1 followed a group of revolutionaries on the Moon, who, operating in covert cells, plotted to overthrow the Earth-backed Lunar Authority.