Stranger in a Strange Land
By Robert A. Heinlein
- Release Date: 1963-04-01
- Genre: Science Fiction
Description
Robert Heinlein's Hugo Award-winning all-time masterpiece, the brilliant novel that grew from a cult favorite to a bestseller to a science fiction classic.
Raised by Martians on Mars, Valentine Michael Smith is a human who has never seen another member of his species. Sent to Earth, he is a stranger who must learn what it is to be a man. But his own beliefs and his powers far exceed the limits of humankind, and as he teaches them about grokking and water-sharing, he also inspires a transformation that will alter Earth’s inhabitants forever...
Reviews
Outstanding
5By Gwfff234Possibly the best science fiction book of all time with the possible exception of the Foundation series. Really amazing story. With the exception of a couple of offensive words and terms that were unfortunately part of the time, it’s flawless.A favorite
5By timmer77A very very good bookNot a fan
2By rzpittA writing teacher once told me “Show, do not tell.” I really understand this advice now. I’m not a fan of reading stories through almost only dialogue. With Jubal’s constant pontificating, plus that if Stinky and others, the book reads more like a lecture than fiction. I wish Ben had a larger role Aside from that, most humans are going to need a really open mind to stomach a world so different in morality from their own. Philosophize all you want about better or worse, I’m not sure ritual cannibalism, 24/7 nudity and sex as the focus of the world vis a vie televangelist-type religion makes for a comfortable future world. Some the authors ideas are a bit nauseating. However, Stranger in a Strange World is good reading simply for being a window into how people viewed the future in the late 60s. Flying cars and busses, of course. Colonies on Mars, certainly. More timely - the idea of an overarching world government…..Awesome
5By yen lemonOne of the best books you can readA classic
5By DLinBhamOne of my all time favorites. Makes you think about everything from religion to politics to taboos.amazing
5By pintguardthis book sends you through a heart felt story of love and life. cannibalism and funny stories on how christianity is in deed a horrible cult.Not the restored version
4By TadrowI first bought this in the early days of iBooks, when the promo copy for the ebook was taken from the posthumous “restored” edition. Unfortunately, that was all they used from that edition. This is the older version, heavily edited for its first publication in 1961, and those who agree with Virginia Heinlein that the first draft was superior to the final publication, it was a disappointment. It was indeed a groundbreaking book in its original publication, but the newer edition is even more far-ranging in its questioning of twentieth-century social assumptions and mores. From the first sentence, there is more to grok, and the flavor much more savory. That said, it is worth reading, especially if followed by the later sections of Heinlein's “Grumbles from the Grave”, assembled from his correspondence, that discuss both the writing of “Stranger” and the ripples it created. Many assumptions that could have been questioned now feel like missed opportunities at best, or huge blind spots to a reader in the 21st Century that Heinlein never saw.Great book
5By Av8tr63This was my first RAH book I read. A high school teacher in 1978 recommended it. I have been a fan ever since. This the one book that every 2-3 years I pull out and read again.A Masterpiece
5By DwardengHeinlein was way ahead of the curve when he wrote this book. An Alien who is more intelligent and loving than any human. Very touching. It will make you feel humble, which is what we all need.Add good as it gets
5By Austin is musicA slightly revised version of the original which I see troubles some. I read all the original story here in all its glory. The slight changes just add a little spirit when it's your 5th or more read. Beats the bible all to hell you could say, and tiny minds still read that collection of nonsense. This is a must read for all.Great read
5By cadaviI wish more people took the time to reflect our social beliefs when they read these things. Don't listen to any of the bad reviews, after reading the iBook version I can say 100% it's great. Negative reviewers probably are illiterate.Wasnt what I was expecting
4By DemiduceI was really thinking this was going to be a hardcore sci fi book, but it was more of a philisophical story with sci fi in it. The book was very well written, started slow but ended strong. Even with my lack of interest in philisophical novels i was able to stay engaged enough to come to the poetic finish. I wouldnt recommend this book to anyone looking for sci fi alien invasions. But if your the type who likes to read books on ideology this my be for you.Amazing
5By Shadowcut2I love the endingNot quite as Revolutionary as When I First Read It
4By auagfinderI recall reading this as a teenager in the 60's and I thought it really showed an alternative way of living. As I read it in 2013, with another 42 years of perspective, it moves from a possible reality to What it really always was....a fantasy like Star Wars or Star Trek. It's still a good read although a tad preachy from the Father Figure, Jubal Harshaw. It did teach me to appreciate sculpture in a way I hadn't before. I look at the "the Fallen Caryatid" and " Haulmiere" in an entirely new light.Hey Publisher: Get a new spell checker!
5By ktoodsGreat to read this book again after 30 years, sweet! But hey!!! This book has more typos than any I've read; I found that terribly sad and horribly disrespectful to Mr. Heinlein.LOVE
5By JacklikemackWhat a dedicated spirit-soul-mind-heart. Fully awesome. I grok.Should be on your top 10 list
5By heyheyhayesJust finished, still grokking... : ) I will be contemplating for weeks to come.Solid read
3By ToraxeSolid story but still feel Heinlein is poor when it comes to "show, don't tell". He's fond of using characters to preach directly at the reader. Nevertheless it's a tale worth reading with a rather unique exploration of human culture.Bad
1By Mtn from BostonStarts interesting but goes into a rut and never emerges. Worst book I've read in years.
