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 … 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…
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I have to call this one “okay” even though a lot of reviewers tend to love it. I thought the ending was really lame. A lot of the story is quite good with the great character development that marks most of Heinlein’s works, and the story flows well, but I just didn’t care for the ending. That’s just me.
I first read this book back in about 1970 or so. It was important in me forming my personal spiritual philosophy. And is also entertaining as all get-out. It’s kind of sci-fi ish but also funny, clever, and very entertaining.
Read it first in college and reread it every few years. Thought provoking.
Too much emphasis on sex.
Great book. Make sure you read the unabridged version
If you read this book (an underground book on college campus in the 60’s), you will be hooked on Heinlein. He truly is the master of science fiction.
Classic sci-fi, you grok.
Predicted political correctness decades before it became “de rigueur.” Posited a future world with flying cars but without cell phones. Still, it’s a great read.
Classic Heinlein – well written
I’ll never forget it, I read it the first time in highschool. Not required in school, just wanted to read it. Changed my life.
Excellent, very well-written and imaginative A sci-fi classic.
This is one of the real classic SciFi books, by the master himself, Robert Heinlein, but not all is SciFi in it. There are great characters and intriguing plot line. Not to be missed.
Again Robert Heinlien has written a story worth reading
Very original in concept when first published; now, it is a bit dated. Heinlein’s view of government and public policy come through very clearly, and can be quite polarizing. Despite what I’ve said above, it remains a very good read.
One of the first sci-fi books I read as a kid — re-reading it did not lose the magic so many years ago. A must read.
Perhaps Heinlein’s most famous adult novel, it introduced the verb “grok” into the English language. When it came out in the 60s, it set the Flower Children up for a real shock when they next found The Moon is a Harsh Mistress or Starship Troopers. The book is pure Heinlein, with most of his strengths and weaknesses on display.
Valentine Michael Smith, legitimate child of three astronauts on their way to Mars, raised by Martians, doesn’t know what being human is. He finally realizes his heritage as a man child and tries to teach the world how to think as he does.