Stranger in a Strange Land
Robert A. Heinlein
Ok, now this one is absolutely my “all-time” favorite. I can recommend just
about anything by Heinlein but one should read Stranger In A Strange Land
at least three times in one’s life; once when you are young and think you
know everything, once when you are traversing mid-life when you are not
sure you know anything worthwhile, and at least once more as you get older
when you have come to the realization that you know little, if anything,
meaningful.
Stranger was written in 1961 and won the 1962 Hugo Award. It is the story
of Valentine Michael Smith who was born during, and the only survivor of,
the first manned mission to Mars. Having been raised by Martians, Michael
is indeed a stranger in a strange land when he arrives on earth as a true
innocent: He has never seen a woman and has no knowledge of Earth’s
cultures or religions. He introduces conflict as he is legal heir to an
enormous financial empire and the de facto legal owner of Mars. He is
taken in by the irascible popular author Jubal Harshaw who protects
Michael as Michael explores human morality and love. He founds his own
church, preaching free love and disseminating the psychic talents taught to
him by the Martians. Ultimately he confronts the fate reserved for all
messiahs throughout history.
If you are able to get around Heinlein’s penchant for preaching his own
brand of liberalism/ libertarianism, you are offered insight into what is
arguably one of the greatest writers in Science Fiction. Stranger took
Heinlein 12 years to write and what was originally published was only a
piece of the original manuscript, 60,000 words having been cut out.
Fortunately we can now read the complete, original manuscript the way
Heinlein intended the story to be told.
A caveat: This book has the power to shock readers of even today. Do not
let your own beliefs dilute the wonder to be found in the pages of Stranger.
It requires (and deserves) a completely open mind from anyone who reads
it. It also requires multiple readings to even begin to plumb its depths.
/tdw/
Robert A. Heinlein
Ok, now this one is absolutely my “all-time” favorite. I can recommend just
about anything by Heinlein but one should read Stranger In A Strange Land
at least three times in one’s life; once when you are young and think you
know everything, once when you are traversing mid-life when you are not
sure you know anything worthwhile, and at least once more as you get older
when you have come to the realization that you know little, if anything,
meaningful.
Stranger was written in 1961 and won the 1962 Hugo Award. It is the story
of Valentine Michael Smith who was born during, and the only survivor of,
the first manned mission to Mars. Having been raised by Martians, Michael
is indeed a stranger in a strange land when he arrives on earth as a true
innocent: He has never seen a woman and has no knowledge of Earth’s
cultures or religions. He introduces conflict as he is legal heir to an
enormous financial empire and the de facto legal owner of Mars. He is
taken in by the irascible popular author Jubal Harshaw who protects
Michael as Michael explores human morality and love. He founds his own
church, preaching free love and disseminating the psychic talents taught to
him by the Martians. Ultimately he confronts the fate reserved for all
messiahs throughout history.
If you are able to get around Heinlein’s penchant for preaching his own
brand of liberalism/ libertarianism, you are offered insight into what is
arguably one of the greatest writers in Science Fiction. Stranger took
Heinlein 12 years to write and what was originally published was only a
piece of the original manuscript, 60,000 words having been cut out.
Fortunately we can now read the complete, original manuscript the way
Heinlein intended the story to be told.
A caveat: This book has the power to shock readers of even today. Do not
let your own beliefs dilute the wonder to be found in the pages of Stranger.
It requires (and deserves) a completely open mind from anyone who reads
it. It also requires multiple readings to even begin to plumb its depths.
/tdw/
| Thom's Review Stranger in a Strange Land |
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