I'm picking my way back through Heinlein having first read all I could find in the late 1970s and early 80s. This is a re-read for me but for the most part, an immensely enjoyable romp.

His take on religion is by turns earnest and trite, but he gives it a go and even the harshest critic might acknowledge that he had passing familiarity with their belief system of choice.

Not his best book, and as he so often does, the change of direction in the last 50 pages makes you wonder where it might have gone. Regardless, Bob became so much a part of me that at my most critical I can't dislike this book.

Picked this up as reading material for a backpacking trip. I read it years ago, back when it first came out. Heinlein is strong on ideas and creativity - not so strong on other things. This is a retelling of the Job story from the old testament, with the added twist that the Judeo-Christian God is not the only God. ( )

This is the first book I've read by Heinlein. After reading the reviews of other folks, it appears that this piece wasn't a very good representation of "classic" Heinlein. Not having been endowed with possible genre bias, I can say that I enjoyed reading this book. The ending wasn't very satisfying and Heinlein's Christian straw-man was a bit narrow, but I can understand what he was shooting for and I never found myself bored with the narrative.

You may not come to Heinlein's conclusions, but the fact that it makes you really think about often hard-held beliefs is a tribute to the book. ( )

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1EK828A... ( )

This story is a great adaption of the biblical account ... I really enjoyed all the religious irreverence and especially Satan as a Texan ... ; ) ( )