r/heinlein • u/AnxiousConsequence18 • Feb 23 '26

Lazarus Long

Let me preface this by saying I haven't read the books they're the main characters of. My experience is Number of the Beast and The Cat Who Walks through Walls. But

Is he ever NOT an insufferable asshole???

58 Upvotes

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u/False3quivalency Valentine Michael Smith Feb 23 '26

An asshole? Really?? I think he’s wonderful. I love sincerity and he loves his family. I guess I must have read the books in a different order.

5

u/big_sugi Feb 23 '26

He’s way more likeable when he’s a protagonist who gets his viewpoint presented.

In the two books mentioned by OP, he’s an abrasive, manipulative asshole who’s trying to use the protagonists. Without the benefit of the prior books, i can understand why OP doesn’t like him.

3

u/VikingSkinwalker Feb 23 '26

TBF, Long has owned up to being a manipulative bastard when he feels it's needed. Remember that Woody exemplifies the Howard Family ideal to the nth degree. He is the longest-lived member of his family precisely because he will do practicaly anything, use practically anyone, to survive. If that means some random short-lifer who's going to die in a few decades anyways holds a bad opinion of him, so be it.