Stranger in a Strange Land

Okay, this is one of those books people either love or hate. Personally, I still think it's one of the greats, even though Heinlein himself poked fun at it in later years. But this book was a huge influence on thousands on thousands of the original hippie movement! (And on top of that, it invented the waterbed!) It's still one I have to go back and read again every year or two, much like revisiting an old friend.

 

How could anyone hate this book? It is genious. It's awesomely great and all that. Like you, I go back and re-read it every couple of years. Last year, for the first time I listened to the audiobook, which I don't recommend (somehow it's a little creepy and unsettling when the male reader puts on his girly voice and says "Oh, MICHAEL!" in the sex scenes). It's also one of those few books that pops into my head in my daily life an awful lot - particularly when I'm walking around in my yard, I think of his reaction to stepping on grass.

Heinlein rocks.

 

I'm huge on Heinlein. I had his complete works, then lost a few of the minor pulps during my last move. I go back and hit the shelf every couple of years... Stranger, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, all the Lazarus Long tales, Glory Road... but Stranger is the one that probably was the most influential on me personally. I read it as a sophomore in high school... the perfect time to hit on it. It probably changed how I thought about love and relationships and what it meant to be human... that's saying a lot for a piece of science fiction.

Oh, and since Heinlein is no longer around, you may want to try Spider Robinson. He admits he was heavily influenced by Heinlein, and he writes a great story... very humorous most of the time. The Callahan's series are wonderful... the closest thing I've ever found to "The Dean".

 

Heinlien was a mysogenist...

Read 666 and tell me women were not 'for breeding only'

Occam

 

I simply can't agree... Heinlein was as mysogenistic as I am. Read any author who knew him personally and speaks of him. Read Spider Robinson's analysis of his writings. You can read a lot into someone's work if you choose to. I've never found him so, and I've read everything he's written. I agree that he had more trouble writing women than men, but that doesn't make him a woman-hater.

 

"Heinlein the mysogenist"?? Let me respond to that accusation with a list (compiled by Spider Robinson) of the weak simpering women that he put into his novels.

Wyoming Knot
Dee Dee & Hilda Burroughs
Friday
The Mother Thing
Anne and the other women in Stranger.
Star, Empress of the Universes
Mary Sperling
Minerva, Dora (both), Ishtar, Hammadryad, Tammara Sperling
Maureen Smith

I know the list is incomplete, but I think it is representative of the strong women characters he creates.

But those are fictional women. It is hard to discover a fiction author's personal opinions by exploring the words his characters say.

In an opinion piece, he suggested that the franchise be restricted to women. (They couldn't do worse than the current electorate.)

Fox, I don't know that he had a harder time writing women characters than men. If you eliminate the Boy Scout novels, do you still hold that opinion?

 

"Isn't it wonderful, how they look like orchids!?"

Heinlein wasn't misogynist, he was a freaking sex fiend.

My middle name is Jubal. Harsh Mistress is my fave tho, just cuz it shows you how conspiracies work.

 

lol... lmao

 

That was a big part of the the mainstream's reaction to Stranger. Open marriage, orgy's, homosexuality (v.lite), "Thou Art God"

Stranger broke a lot of ground. Including a SF novel being included on mainstream book lists.

 

Well, I've heard from several women who felt that there were some things that he wrote that simply didn't ring true. One gal I know likes the novel Friday, but refuses to believe that any woman could undergo systematic rape for interrogation as Friday does and not be traumatized by it, regardless of upbringing and training. Not being female, I can't say.

But as for his writing strong, smart, independent females, absolutely! He often puts women in the top spot. The ruler of his Ninety Universes... the Empress Star. Who was commander of Gay Deceiver? Hilda Burroughs. He has female combat leaders in Starship Troopers. Head of the Tertius Clinic, the finest medical facility in his universe... Ishtar Long. There are plenty of other examples, but I think the point was made.

 

Ok...

You guys obviously read him more than occam has..
Withdraw the mysogenist comment

Occam

 

Hey, it's been said before, so you're not alone in the allegation. You just happen to get a couple of genuine, dyed-in-the-wool Heinlein readers who are willing to discuss the point. No harm, no foul... this is a free speech forum, after all.

 

Robert Heinlein was certainly a genius, and that Stranger in a Strange Land, is one of the most signifigant and powerful books ever written, there can be no doubt. I first read of Michael Smith when I was 19, and have read his story countless times since then. A most remarkable author.
As I sat here thinking of what of my mentality now exists largely due to this book, I discovered that my conviction that "Human" is an ideal, not yet reached by this race of modified apes, most likely began forming upon my first reading of Stranger in a Strange Land.
sine cera

 

I love the original version that was released! My partner introduced me to Heinlein when we were first friends and bought me the full Stranger (and the Notebooks of Lazarus Long) as a gift years later in our relationship.

We both enjoy Heinlein greatly, I especially like his realistic female characters and honest approach to sex and love in his stories. Plus, the youth fiction is just a fun way to pass the time waiting for an appointment!

 

Just picked this up again after 27 years, frightened I'd spoil my fond memory.

Half way through and again found a thoroughly enjoyable tale, obviously some of the female attitudes are slightly dated but never with any inferiority.

I love the refreshingly naeive emotions of the main character and the spiritual awareness beyond self. I've shocked myself with how that has stuck as part of my philosophy.

If you haven't done so get a copy and enjoy, all pretty and easy to read.

 

Hmmm, I've only read Starship Troopers, but you guys make me want to read more of his stuff. Frickin sweet.

 

I've read many of his books but I think "Stranger in a Strange Land" is one of his best. I have only read the uncut edition and was wondering for those that have read both the uncut and original, which one did you like better?

 

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, I Will Fear No Evil, The Door Into Summer and Friday are among my favs by this author. I thought he was the best ever. I've read all of his books.

 

The Number of the Beast ... wasn't one of his best, but the premise is good.

 

I agree with you.