[oceanworld]

Has anyone read this book "Stranger in a Strange Land" if you have what did you think of the book? I enjoyed reading the book but I don't know how I would feel if I were to live in that kind of world. Its a book about a man from Mars he is human wall a part of him is but he now lives on earth and when he comes he learns new things and starts a church sort of. Its a world I just don't want to live in the way things happen in there.

[Michigan]

Hated it, didn't bother to finish it.

[psikeyhackr]

I read it, more than once I'm pretty sure. I liked it. It has probably been more than 25 years though.

Somewhat of a study in cultural relativism. I can see why it was a big hit in the 60s when I first read it. It is not for people that are too NORMAL.

psik

[phil_geo]

When I read it 25 years ago, it blew me away and changed my life. I think more than any other book, it got me thinking in a new way. However, I think at this point in time, 25 years later, a lot has changed both with society and with me. Some of the revolutionary ideas in the book are outdated or cliched, and at this point in my life, I don't need my eyes opened.

So, basically, I think that the book has probably lost some of its impact in general due to being old, but it still may be a great read for someone depending on where they are in their life.

Its a world I just don't want to live in the way things happen in there.
This is interesting. Why would say you feel this way? Because of the way life is portrayed, with sexual freedom and communal living? Or is it the way outsiders treat Valentine?

[Warzoo]

So, basically, I think that the book has probably lost some of its impact in general due to being old, but it still may be a great read for someone depending on where they are in their life.

I agree completely. I read it a few years ago and found it difficult to finish. It's strange how there are some books you love and some books you hate, sometimes for good reason and sometimes for not.

A lot of those old classics tend to dissapoint me :(

[psikeyhackr]

A lot of those old classics tend to dissapoint me

The NORMAL of today is very different from the NORMAL of the 60s.

Stranger in a Strange Land is pretty tame compared to Grand Theft Auto.

I don't doubt that plenty of people would have called that book degenerate back then. I wonder if they like what the future has actually become any better.

psik

[B5B7]

I have only read it once - 40 years ago! I liked it then. I will have to reread it to know how I would think of it now. But in the intervening years I have generally preferred Heinlein's shorter novels to his large ones ['Friday' and 'Number of the Beast' were interesting, but it is also quite a long time since I read them].

[mylinar]

I'll have to say that I read this book once, probably in the 70's and just did not Grok it. I've never been tempted to reread it.

[oceanworld]

:rolleyes:To phil_geo I would have to say yes it is the way they treat Valentine but also just the way the world is. Its something I would never have imagined happening. A completely different world in sci fi then others compared to today.

[AutomaticJack]

I liked Stranger in a Strange Land when I read it back in High School. I'd probably appreciate it more if I read it nowadays, but it's hard for me to reread books when there are still things out there I haven't read.

My wife, however, LOVES this book. She's read it at least three times. The word Grok has been in our vocabulary for years and actually gets used at least a few times a week. And of course, "Thou art God."

So, I guess it's been a great source of inside jokes.