Heinein was way ahead of his time with this book and had to fight like crazy to get it published in the form he wanted it in. It is a fairy-story along the lines of a Brother's Grimm tale but with some superb one-liners and philosophy (nothing heavy) thrown in at no extra charge. One of his earliest departures from what was 'normal' at the time (published in 1963 by Avon books), this novel was extremely well-received by a nation sick of Pappa-knows-best repression, and this book won a Hugo (prestigious sf) award.

The book charts Oscar's return from war and his subsequent recruitment by Star (the boss of the galaxy), a beautiful and pretty strange woman, who he proves to be more than a match for. I know it sounds corny, and from any other writer it probably would be, but the unselfconcious, comic way Heinlein writes surpasses that.

I think it is probably out of print in the UK, but if you have a look around second-hand book stores you'll find a copy (or if you live in the North-West I'll lend you mine <g>). Well worth looking for.