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Title: Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein ISBN: 0-441-79034-8 Publisher: Ace Books Pub. Date: January, 2003 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.09 (440 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: out-dated attack on the silent majority
Comment: Disclaimer: The first Heinlein books that I have read were "Time Enough for Love" and "The Number of the Beast". Both of which I consider trash.
Anyways, "Stranger" is somewhat better. The themes that are brought out might have been scandalous in the sixties, but now they are rather ho-hum:Free Love is good, physical possessions are bad, established religions are hokey, Jealousy is bad, you get the idea. These themes are tied together by a messiah/martyr story. This story might offend you if you believe in the literal meanings of your favorite holy book, but otherwise I think it's tame for many readers.
I guess I don't really like Heinlein's tone of writing. I always get the feeling that I'm reading from the mind of a 1960's Hippie demagogue. Someone like Timothy Leary. On the surface they might seem open-minded but underneath they are quite autocratic, self-righteous, inconsiderate and closed to other view-points. Also he's always displaying an adolescent fascination with sex and at the same time he is incredibly sexist with his portrayals of the female characters.
For a much better messiah/martyr story, check out Frank Herbert's "Dune".
Rating: 5
Summary: Heinlein's best novel
Comment: When I first picked up _Stranger in a Strange Land_ I wasn't expecting much. I had read _Starship Troopers_ and _The Puppet Masters_ and thought they were O.K. But this book just blew me away. Not so much because of its science fiction extrapolations, but rather for how funny, intelligent and true the book rang. _Stranger..._ shows human beings through the eyes of one Valentine Michael Smith, a Martian with human origins. He is so child-like, so innocent, so funny and calm in every situation even though he has such awesome powers--it's amazing to read about him. Along with Gully Foyle, in _The Stars My Destination_ I think he is one of the best SF protagonists ever written. And the way he learns and evolves from the strange cast of human characters--I also really liked Patty and Jubal Harshaw--is wonderful to read. The ending is so unforgettable. And how Heinlein came up with such a cool word like grok I'll never know. Also, he brings the interesting concept of water brothers into the story, and shows how humanity should love each other without resorting to meaningless violence. Sometimes Heinlein gets a bit too wordy and some of his views about God and woman I find hard to swallow--I can see why this book is so controversial. But aside from those minor flaws, _Strange..._ is a great book to read not only because it is enjoyable by itself as literature, but also because it has the intelligence and audacity to pose such difficult questions and firm beliefs about humanity, God and our place in the universe when now such concerns are ignored by most current SF.
Rating: 5
Summary: Look with your nose and see with your toes
Comment: More than a dozen years have passed since I found a worn paperback copy in the Staurt, Florida library, but I can clearly remember the vivid characters and ideas. This is a book at allows you to think outside the box. Anyone who doesn't understand should treat themselves to a read.
I'm no sci-fi fanatic. I've never watched a complete episode of any version of Star Trek, I've never seen any of the Star Wars movies, and I quickly lost interest in two of Heinlein's other books. This is not a little-green-come-to-earth story. It is, instead, a medium that allows you to look with your nose and see with your toes. Conventional thinkers will be bored and confused.
I've read it twice and will listen to the audible.com version when I get my monthly credits
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Title: The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein ISBN: 0312863551 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 15 June, 1997 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Time Enough for Love by Robert A. Heinlein ISBN: 0441810764 Publisher: Ace Books Pub. Date: November, 1994 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein ISBN: 0441783589 Publisher: Berkley Pub Group Pub. Date: May, 1987 List Price(USD): $6.99 |
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Title: The Cat Who Walks Through Walls by Robert A. Heinlein ISBN: 0441094996 Publisher: Berkley Pub Group Pub. Date: July, 1996 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Tunnel in the Sky by Robert A. Heinlein ISBN: 0345353730 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 12 October, 1987 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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