Orphans of the Sky

About

Orphans of the Sky is a science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein, published in 1963. It consists of two novellas, "Universe" and "Common Sense," which were originally serialized in Astounding Science Fiction in 1941. The story takes place on a massive generation ship called the Vanguard, which was intended to travel to Proxima Centauri. However, after a mutiny, the ship's purpose and true nature were forgotten by its inhabitants. Over generations, the crew developed a primitive society with a rigid class structure, dividing into "scientists" and "farmers," while mutants lived in the upper decks. The novel centers around Hugh Hoyland, a young man who discovers the truth about the ship and its mission. His journey to enlighten others leads to conflict and mutiny. Orphans of the Sky explores themes of societal evolution, knowledge loss, and the struggle between dogma and truth. It critiques societal inertia and the dangers of misinformation, offering a thought-provoking narrative about human nature and the importance of questioning authority. The novel is a pioneering work in the generation ship genre, influencing many subsequent stories in science fiction.