Podkayne of Mars
Classic Venusian political thriller
Narrative Synopsis
Fifteen-year-old Podkayne Fries, an ambitious Martian girl dreaming of becoming a starship pilot, travels with her mathematical genius brother Clark and her diplomat uncle Tom Fries on an interplanetary cruise liner to Venus, unwittingly becoming targets of political extortionists and corporate terrorists.
Girls are just as capable of navigating an orbital trajectory as boys, and usually have better manners about it.
Notable Passage
Historical & Editorial Context
Features two distinct endings: the original tragic ending where Podkayne dies, and a publisher-mandated survival ending. Modern editions print both with Heinlein's commentary.