Double Star vs The Machine Stops: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Science Fiction, Children's fiction, Fiction

Cover of Double Star

Double Star Robert A. Heinlein · 1956 ★★★★☆ 3.9 159 pages · ≈ 2 h 57 m · Light Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of The Machine Stops

The Machine Stops E. M. Forster · 1909 ★★★★☆ 4.1 36 pages · ≈ 40 min · Moderate Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.9 vs 4.1 — either is a safe pick by score.
The Machine Stops is the quicker read — about 1 hours vs 2 for Double Star.
Double Star is the easier read (Light), The Machine Stops more demanding (Moderate).

Side by side