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…
more
Not a new book but well worth you time to read.
On a mission to read all books on a “100 Best Sci-Fi of all time” list, I came to Stranger in a Strange Land. After hearing so much about it over the decades, I figured I would love it. Drink it in. Grok it fully.
Sadly I have to admit I threw in the towel with maybe 20% to go, fearing it would dissolve even further into more tedious religious speculation and surprisingly uninteresting sexual exploration.
This book is less sci-fi as I know and love it, and more a decidedly cerebral, and sometimes abrasive, statement about the early 1960’s culture in which it was written. Call me intolerant, but there were simply too many dated statements and assumptions thrown out to stomach, especially when I was looking for something otherworldly, adventurous and exciting. My displeasure rippled with all the “women have their place” acceptance, rose at some comment about how nine out of ten women are in some way responsible for their rapes, and bubbled over while I tried to endure the never-ending “growing closer” nonsense.
Apparently I do not have the patience of a Martian.
Classical Heinlein of the 1960s. One of the books that inspired that whole generation.
In many ways the defining novel in the emergence of Heinlein as one of the most powerful authors of his era in SF.
It made readers aware that RAH had no problem with sex which his prior steady stream of juveniles, whilst great reading in the main, had been scrupulously censored. His autobiography, “Grumbles From the Grave” and other non-fiction made mention of that.
This book was my introduction to Heinlein and sci-fi/fantasy. I think I’ve read all of Heinlein, and worlds of sci-fi/fantasy since. I really liked this book. You will, too.
One of the best SF books of all time! Still pertinent.
Have loved this book since forever!!!
While the story was interesting and original, it has not aged well. I’m happy I read it and would recommend it to others, but you must read it with certain “blinders” on to try and look past the sexism and racism one expects from the publication time.
One of Heinlein’s best, a classic which still holds its credibility and relevance!
It’s Bradbury. What’s not to like. Plot twists and unexpected ending as usual for Bradbury.
One of the best books of it’s time.
You have to remember that Heinlein wrote this 50+ years ago. It’s the book that got me hooked on Sci-Fi. After rereading it, it still holds up as a good story with great characters. Every aficionado of the genre, should put this on their reading list.
My favorite book!
One of my favorite books of all time. I read it again recently and it is still a great read. I recommend it to anyone who wants to try to Grok what it means to Grok.
A great “what-if” from one of the Grand Masters!
Classic. I’ve read this book many times.
This is the story of Valentine Michael Smith who was born on Mars and raised by Martians (even though he is human). He arrives on earth knowing nothing about earth at all – has never met a woman, doesn’t know earth’s customs or religions. He is an heir to a large financial empire, and need to be protected. He meets an author named Jubal, and a woman named Jill and both work to protect him. He has miraculous abilities and eventually he leaves the protective custody of Jubal, and he and Jill venture out in the world together. He tries to become a magician based on his abilities, but it doesn’t work out, so he becomes a preacher. He doesn’t preach religion – he preaches on the Martian way of life he knows. There is a lot of nudity, and free love with his “religion”
This book was strange. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. I did like it. I am not a huge fan of Science Fiction novels, but have read enough now that they are starting to grow on me. The story jumped around a bit. Sometimes I didn’t understand why they were taking the direction they were – it was choppy in spots. There wasn’t a lot of flow. The male characters are misogynistic (which I understand for when it was written, but this is a book that takes place in the future) and they still use the Encyclopedia Britannica to get their information. So – we have colonized Mars, but we still are using Encyclopedias? Interesting.
I knew this book wasn’t going to be great for me because it took me a long time to get through it. I would put it off and find anything else to do besides read it.
Eh. If you like Science Fiction – you will probably love this book. Or have already read it.
Probably my favorite book of all time. Valentine Michael Smith is raised by Martians and as a result when brought back to Earth, he does not think like a human nor are his abilities that one would expect from a Human. However, he proves that despite this, he is not only human, but a sane and healthy human.
One of the best books I have ever read!
Reading this book changed me by opening my eyes more to the real world around me. WOW, I became a better person by reading a science fiction book!