Stranger in a Strange Land

Wow, I still remember reading this mind-blowing novel! It's is so far ahead of its time, it's mind boggling and is just as relevant today, if not even more relevant, as we seem to have such an incredible problem treating our fellow man with the humanity they deserve. RH, was spot on, and if you have ever encountered the word "Grok" and found yourself at a loss, this is the origins and you can fully learn to Grok, Grok! Sadly, Elon Musk has chosen that as the name for his AI! I would have preferred if that severely unstable genius stayed the heck away from RH's intellectual property! But we all know Musk respects only Musk and those who allow him free reign to destroy institutions upon making foolish acquisitions! He's completely turned X into a cesspool in the blink of an eye, what once was Twitter. I'm not saying he's not a genius, but many geniuses have to deal with many psychological issues, hubris clearly being Musk's biggest! A boulder! Try hurting me Elon, you petty child! -ATG

Stranger in a Strange Land is more than just a science fiction novel; it is a profound commentary on human nature and society. Heinlein's visionary work continues to resonate with readers, offering timeless insights into the human condition and the possibility of transcending our limitations. It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of human experience through the lens of speculative fiction.

(No Spoilers) Robert A. Heinlein is considered among the most prolific science fiction authors of all time. He was one of the first to unleash science fiction to the mainstream world, and he broke boundaries that most authors of the time wouldn't dare to cross. Unfortunately, his counter culture and sexual revolution ideas are outdated in the modern era. In fact, portions of the book are misogynistic and offensive. I'd never read Heinlein before, and I give him a lot of leeway due to his era, but my inner feminist yelled at me while I read Stranger in a Strange Land. The book is about Valentine Michael Smith, the Man from Mars who is brought to Earth under odd circumstances and attempts to acclimate to society. Mike is a wonderful character, but the light really shines on Jubal, the lawyer/writer/philosopher who takes in Mike and becomes a surrogate father. I found myself able to empathize with Jubal, to understand and befriend him. Whereas I found Mike to be too alien. But perhaps that was Heinlein's point. The female characters in the book are one-dimensional or purely there so male characters have someone to fornicate with. I found nothing to attach me to the heroine, Jill, or the various other women. If you can get past the misogynist tendencies, you'll find Stranger in a Strange Land to be an eye opening novel about the human condition. Our hate for things different, our resistance to change, and our ability to blindly follow a crowd. Heinlein uses science fiction and his characters to touch on politics, religion, and sexual repression. Things that at the time of his writing were at the forefront of revolutionary thought. If nothing else, Stranger in a Strange Land demonstrates the roots of science fiction and how the pen can move to change the world. Just put a muzzle on your inner feminist and take it for what it is. (3 Stars)