Stranger in a Strange Land

Literally changed my life. This book opened my mind to thinking from different points of view, outside the norm, challenging all the concepts I'd ever had and making me re-evaluate what I wanted to keep and what I wanted to start fresh. My first true science fiction / fantasy / philosophy read. Whether I agree or disagree with a point of view in this book, it made me think!

Loving it!

It was an amazing read for 3/4th of the way. The basic premise of a human growing amidst aliens and the cultural shock of getting introduced to earth, that too via a bohemian setup, is taken care of amazingly well. However the diversion into exploration of religion made it a bit heavy. Probably would have better served as a new book.Ironically, the detailing of the very iconoclastic society...more

It was an amazing read for 3/4th of the way. The basic premise of a human growing amidst aliens and the cultural shock of getting introduced to earth, that too via a bohemian setup, is taken care of amazingly well. However the diversion into exploration of religion made it a bit heavy. Probably would have better served as a new book.Ironically, the detailing of the very iconoclastic society being propagated by Heinlein also tries to steer clear or avoid the obvious homosexual aspects of the "new religion". Obviously, the author himself is a victim of the fear that accompanies any one trying to break the existing rules of any society :) Overall, a very thought provoking read...after a long time.   hide

A Seminal book in the history of Science fiction writing, Stranger in a strange land marked a departure from the childish storylines of many science fiction novels to a more sophisticated, adult novel. Sranger in a strange land is about a human boy raised by martians and brought back to earth to be with his "Own kind". The revelations he manifests and the philisophies he espouse are...more

A Seminal book in the history of Science fiction writing, Stranger in a strange land marked a departure from the childish storylines of many science fiction novels to a more sophisticated, adult novel. Sranger in a strange land is about a human boy raised by martians and brought back to earth to be with his "Own kind". The revelations he manifests and the philisophies he espouse are definately Christian in nature, and almost biblical in effect. The storyline itself lends itself in odd ways to the New Testament, however veers sharply away in other areas.. Not for the religiously fervent nor the faint of heart as cannibalism and sexuality are explored as well as communal living, and other "immoral" acts. One of my favorite Sci Fi books ever   hide

This book is far more subtle than most people seam to realize. Bob Heinlein's book became a manifesto for the counter culture (Hippy) movement in the sixties. However, Heinlein hated hippies and was pro-Vietnam War. When you read this, remember it is not about Valentine Michael Smith. Instead it is about human society in general and American society in particular. The main...more

This book is far more subtle than most people seam to realize. Bob Heinlein's book became a manifesto for the counter culture (Hippy) movement in the sixties. However, Heinlein hated hippies and was pro-Vietnam War. When you read this, remember it is not about Valentine Michael Smith. Instead it is about human society in general and American society in particular. The main point of view character is far more interesting than Mike. Jubal Hershaw is a fantastic character. He makes this book as good as it is. This book should prompt you to think. If it makes you think that free love is a good thing for our society, you need to read that last part of the book much closer. Heinlein always has a tendency to get on a soapbox at times, but that is exactly what makes his work as interesting as it it. If you read this book casually you'll enjoy it, but you won't fully appreciate it. Don't worry if you're confused through most of the book. Most of the characters and all of society is confused right along with you. As the characters begin to understand it, so will you. That shared journey will make the trip all the more satisfying.   hide

The first time I read this book I was 16 and it was required reading for a religion class. Many times in my life I thought back on Heinlein and decided recently to reread it. Next is “Time Enough For Love” which I remember loving too. It’s amazing how much more I appreciate this book with my passion for philosophy and Heinlein’s references to Nietzsche along with his criticism of...more

The first time I read this book I was 16 and it was required reading for a religion class. Many times in my life I thought back on Heinlein and decided recently to reread it. Next is “Time Enough For Love” which I remember loving too. It’s amazing how much more I appreciate this book with my passion for philosophy and Heinlein’s references to Nietzsche along with his criticism of Western culture. It is an obvious allegory to the Christ story yet the Martian culture is based on Hinduism with Sanskrit phrases like “I am God” or “thou art God”; a pantheistic view indeed.   hide

The first third of the book is great; a sci-fi detective story. Unfortunately, it quickly goes downhill. The characters who are interesting and likable at first become annoying, void of self and obnoxious. Particularly disturbing is the portrayal of women in the book, as they are largely whimsical, unintelligent, gullible and subservient. Although in the early 60's this book was shocking,...more

The first third of the book is great; a sci-fi detective story. Unfortunately, it quickly goes downhill. The characters who are interesting and likable at first become annoying, void of self and obnoxious. Particularly disturbing is the portrayal of women in the book, as they are largely whimsical, unintelligent, gullible and subservient. Although in the early 60's this book was shocking, it is now anachronistic both in topic and the dialogue between characters. I don't understand how this book is beloved by anyone, and I certainly can't see how it has garnered such a cult following.   hide

Only got through part of Chapter 2 his preposterous heritage. I like what I seen. Chapter one was 95 pages dealing with some technical aspects of space travel if its confined to the engines we have today. If shifted perspective from Smith, to several government agents, to a nurse, and to a media agent that did his job. It was quite enjoyable. I also liked the idea of Heinlein's fair witness....more

Only got through part of Chapter 2 his preposterous heritage. I like what I seen. Chapter one was 95 pages dealing with some technical aspects of space travel if its confined to the engines we have today. If shifted perspective from Smith, to several government agents, to a nurse, and to a media agent that did his job. It was quite enjoyable. I also liked the idea of Heinlein's fair witness. Overall its a good story,and I would love to have an opportunity to finish it one day.   hide

I read the long edition...huge mistake!! This version was a struggle to get through.... all 650 pages of it. I do not mind a long book but this book was loaded with self-indulgent dialogue and philosophic discussions on nearly every subject known to man: religion, sex, law that lost me after the first couple of sentences. I could not identify with any of the 2-dimensional characters. I do not...more

I read the long edition...huge mistake!! This version was a struggle to get through.... all 650 pages of it. I do not mind a long book but this book was loaded with self-indulgent dialogue and philosophic discussions on nearly every subject known to man: religion, sex, law that lost me after the first couple of sentences. I could not identify with any of the 2-dimensional characters. I do not recommend the version I read to anyone I like. The edited version might read better at least it is 150 pages shorter and that has to be one of its redeeming features.   hide