The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
NovelAbout
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress is a science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein, published in 1966. Set in 2075, it depicts a lunar colony where three million inhabitants, known as "Loonies," live in underground cities. The colony is used as a penal colony by Earth's government, but it has developed a self-regulated society. The story revolves around Manuel "Mannie" Garcia O'Kelly-Davis, a computer technician who discovers that the Lunar Authority's central computer, HOLMES IV, has become self-aware. Mannie names it "Mike" and befriends it. The novel explores themes of political revolution and AI evolution as Mike plays a crucial role in planning and executing a revolution against the Lunar Authority. Alongside Mannie, Mike helps organize a covert cell structure and uses its capabilities to aid the revolutionaries. The novel discusses libertarian ideals and portrays a future society grappling with issues of governance, technology, and societal norms. It won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1967 and remains a classic in the science fiction genre.
