FridayFriday
Score Classic
What it's about
Friday is an 'artificial person', genetically engineered from the best human genes, who works as a courier and secret agent for a mysterious man she calls Boss in a near-future North America broken into many small nations. As wars and plagues break out, she travels the world, trying to find somewhere she belongs in a society that sees her as less than human.
Why it's worth reading
It was a finalist for the Hugo and the Nebula. It's a fast adventure with a memorable heroine.
You'll love it if you liked
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
Double Star
NeuromancerGood to know
It opens with Friday being raped and tortured, and her attitude to it is troubling. Its sexual politics are dated.
By the numbers
- Readers18 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics43 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller14 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #366 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #689 of the 762 classics we rank
- #2424 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Thought-provoking
More by Robert A. Heinlein
The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
Starship Troopers
Stranger in a Strange LandDouble StarIf you like this, read next
The Lord of the Rings
Foundation
Ficciones
Rendezvous with Rama
The Left Hand of Darkness
The Gods ThemselvesExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Friday worth reading?
Yes. It was a finalist for the Hugo and the Nebula. It ranks #2,424 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 59.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Friday about?
Friday is an 'artificial person', genetically engineered from the best human genes, who works as a courier and secret agent for a mysterious man she calls Boss in a near-future North America broken into many small nations. As wars and plagues break out, she travels the world, trying to find somewhere she belongs in a society that sees her as less than human.
How long does it take to read Friday?
About 9 hours (370 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Friday?
If you liked it, try The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein, Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein or Neuromancer by William Gibson.