Stranger in a Strange Land - Robert A. Heinlein

This book is a study in contrasts. Heinlein was well known as holding very right wing (some say 'libertarian', others say 'facist') views. But this book appears to turn them all upside down. In fact, in the introduction to the republished, unexpurgated version he makes it clear that he wanted to have a go at every single thing that 1950s America held dear. I suspect that this was for intellectual kicks and free publicity rather than anything else, but it was still a pretty brave thing to do. In fact, it was so brave that his publisher made him cut a third of the book (which is why the 1980s reprint is much thicker and, to my mind, better), and even ...  Read the complete review

Difficult chap, Heinlein. People always seem to want to hold just one opinion about him. Great writer, great prophet, great fascist. I think there's room for all of the above to be true. I've met people who literally won't let themselves read some of his great space adventures, because they disagree with his politics. Are they afraid of being corrupted? It's the same ridiculous argument as general censorship. (Think about it- a group of old men decide which stuff is two corrupting for us to see, and yet they see it all, without admitting to any ill-effects themselves.) But back to the point. Yes, Heinlein believed in National Service, ...  Read the complete review

Supposedly his magnum opus- I'm sorry, every time I think of that I think of Berke Breathed's Bloom County cartoon strip- offers an interesting light on everyone's key question about Heinlein; was Captain Bob really a fascist? Maybe not, but if this is anything to go on at all, Norman Mailer's Long-Lost Brother was one good act of spin control away. Opinion is divided about Heinlein; the older science fiction writers and their fans, who hail him as a near deity, and many of the more raw, fresh, close-to-the-bone crowd who view him as a dangerous lunatic. From Higher grade history, you should recall the eight point checklist originally ...  Read the complete review

To many Robert Heinlein was the epitomy of the premier sci-fi author. A Stranger in a Strange Land, to me was Heinlein's masterpiece of Science Fiction writing. Heinlein built his stories deeply around his characters, taking extreme care to develop them to the point of abject realism. I read this book at school and have fairly recently re-read it after I rekindled my interest in his work by seeing 'Starship Troopers' the film. I enjoyed the book then and enjoyed it more when I re-read it. I would recommend this book for any sci-fi aficianados for it is sci-fi writing at it's very best. Get hold of a copy - any secondhand book stall ...  Read the complete review

I haven't read any other books by this author, so it's very hard to compare, but though I enjoyed this book I can't help feeling I missed something. Probably a re-read would help, I'm not sure. We follow the experiences of our 'stranger' (a man from another world) in the 'strange land' (Earth), and his change from a naive, vulnerable person to arrogance and wealth. I suppose the novel is as much as anything a satire on modern society, as we look through the eyes of someone who takes none of it for granted. Definitely worth a read, but don't blame me if you're disappointed. I'll try reading it again! ...  Read the complete review