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
This was Heinlein’s 60’s novel, an at times mind bending but invariably playful exploration of the extraordinary career of a human who is adopted by Martians, returns to Earth with some strangely enhanced powers. It is arguably RAH’s masterpiece and remains a classic of the genre.
This is one of the most important works, by one of the most important science fiction writers, of all times. It truly enhanced the English language, and gave a whole new view to our notions of “the alien”. It’s a story about real, imperfect, amazing, challenging, and unforgettable people under really strange circumstances. Read it and never forget.
Loved this book and have reread it multiple times. One survivor of a Mars exploration team is found, a baby reared by Old Martians. Valentine returns to Earth ignorant of human behavior an possessing a few abilities learned from those who raised him. He presents a political dilemma to those in power on Earth, and founds a new religion using Old Martian principles and abilities. Introduces the word “grok” to the English language. Along the way, he picks up friends, lovers, admirers, and followers.
Absolutely one of the best books written in this genre. Thought provoking to say the least. Heinlein is the recognized master of speculative fiction and this is perhaps his best. Much to say about the human condition since the main character was raised by Martians and is constantly having trouble understanding why humans do what we do. It may be dated in some ways but still relevant after more than 50 years I believe .
If you haven’t read this one, stop making excuses until you grok it fully.
Enjoyed the first half of the book. It lost me on the last half.
good and thought provoking
A satire of all your beliefs and a good story at the same time
Awesome!
Read years ago & just had to read it again.
Straight from the 70s. Was an amazing read the first time. Continues to be an amazing read now.
This won the 1962 Hugo award for best novel, and it deserves it. I really like this book, because the whole thing just slides in and entertains. The pacing is perfect.
The origin and formation of a true superman is plausible, which is a nearly miraculous piece of writing and world-building just by itself. The characterizations of ordinary people are dead-on. The “future” does not intrude, on purpose, I’m sure. The biggest flaws: The supermen & women’s sexual politics (free love) are jarringly unbelievable: The contrary logic: If humans mate, and humans compete, (both admitted in the book) competition for mates is inevitable. The characterization of religion is tiredly cynical. And, it still entertains.
A science fiction classic. It’s somewhat dated now, but still readable, provocative, and fun. It was written just at the dawn of the sexual revolution in the early 60s, and contributed a great deal to the hippie movement and to ideas about free love and communes. At the time it was written it was truly revolutionary. It attacked organized religion and described then-shocking social and sexual mores, and it defied conventional wisdom by being the first major non-dystopian SF novel to become a mainstream best-seller.
Thought provoking.
Classic Heinlein.
There is a reason this book is a classic. I’ve read it a couple of times and I enjoy it more with each reading.
One of Heinlein finest books, this and Time enough for love are excellant
Unlike Ayn Rand, Robert Heinlein was willing to admit out loud that he was writing sophomore bullshit philosophy when he wrote SIASL. But it’s good BS and a good story, just don’t confuse it with any resemblance to reality.
This is a book that can change how you look at the world around you.
I read this when it was first published, and it was wonderful to find it again.
one of my all time favorites. biblical in a cosmological sense