Book Review: GLORY ROAD by Robert A. Heinlein

 

GLORY ROAD (1963) by Robert A. Heinlein

This novel is a "portal fantasy" that still holds up. It is humorous, inventive and entertaining.

The novel's protagonist, a mercenary named Gordon, returns from fighting in Southeast Asia (probably Vietnam). He feels alienated from 1960s society at the beginning of the hippie era, and is looking for something to do with his life.

Then he discovers a mysterious newspaper ad with the headline "Are you a coward?", promising dangerous adventures for a volunteer hero.

Gordon answers the ad... and is transported to a fantasy universe. A beautiful royal woman takes him on a quest to reclaim a priceless magical treasure from an evil sorcerer/demon.

After many strange and dangerous (and occasionally bizarre) adventures, Gordon triumphs. But then comes the twist: What happens to the hero after he saves the kingdom and marries the queen? It gets complicated, and not at all what he expected...

The author Heinlein is clearly having fun when he plays with the fantasy genre. And he keeps his tendency to deliver long-winded lectures somewhat under control (maybe he had a good editor).

In order to appreciate GLORY ROAD, you must not come at it expecting a "Tolkien"-type fantasy story. You can also say that it's "postmodern" in that it seems aware of its own preposterousness. It is also greater than the sum of its parts.

(I came across a critic who speculated that GLORY ROAD inspired Stephen King's THE DARK TOWER. That may be true, but I haven't read King's novel.)

Recommended for adult readers (this is not fantasy for children) with a sense of humor.

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