Stranger in a Strange Land

ByRobert A. Heinlein

Release Date: 1963-04-01
Genre: Science Fiction

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 837 Ratings

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

Profound Disappointment
2
By Kangxi Radical Pig
With respect to the hundreds of people enamored with this book, I found it trite and uninspiring. It was horribly written, and the stylized dialog was painful to read:
“Ben, what time is it?”
“Jubal, it’s 4:30.”
“Ben, thank you.”
“Jubal, you’re welcome.”
“Ben, do you grok the grokking of the grokked grokker?
“Jubal, I do grok the grokking of the grokked grokker!”

It’s not even science fiction. It’s a shallow “Man from Mars” derivative with a rather thin plot interspersed with rambling out-of-character dissertations from the author about religion, sex, and art. And not even in a compelling or interesting way. It is feigned insight wrapped in stereotyped characters delivered in inconsistent, wild swings.

Rarely have I ever considered reading anything a waste of time, but in this case, it truly was. While I respect the opinions of others, in this case I find their reviews inexplicable. But to each their own.
Outstanding
5
By Gwfff234
Possibly 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
5
By timmer77
A very very good book
Not a fan
2
By rzpitt
A 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
5
By yen lemon
One of the best books you can read
A classic
5
By DLinBham
One of my all time favorites. Makes you think about everything from religion to politics to taboos.
amazing
5
By pintguard
this 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
4
By Tadrow
I 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
5
By Av8tr63
This 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
5
By Dwardeng
Heinlein 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.