In Robert A. Heinlein's latest science fiction novel ["Citizen of the Galaxy"] a young boy searches the world of the future for the family he has never had. Thorby at first attaches himself to Baslim the Cripple, the ancient beggar on Jubbul, capital of the Nine Worlds; Baslim had bought Thorby out of slavery and was Earth's master spy. When Baslim's disguise is penetrated and he dies, Thorby finds another family among the space-hopping Traders. Then, while serving in the Hegemonic Guard, Thorby discovers his identity and embarks upon his last search amid treachery and intrigue.

Mr. Heinlein's ending is unfortunately weak and inconclusive; it was a mistake to compartment each of Thorby's adventures into a length in which none has the chance to develop as it should. But even with these faults, a Heinlein book is still better than 99 per cent of the science-fiction adventures produced every...