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Stranger in a Strange Land

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Stranger in a Strange Land

By: Robert A. Heinlein
Narrated by: Martin McDougall
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About this listen

 Epic, entertaining, blasphemous, this is the most influential and controversial of Science Fiction novels. Stranger in a Strange Land caused uproar when it was first published as it savaged conventional religious, sexual and social ideals.

Many years in the future, Valentine Michael Smith's upbringing is exceptional. Orphan child to two astronauts killed in space, he is raised on Mars.

Twenty-five years later he is "rescued" and brought back to Earth.

The initial enthusiasm of the administration in Smith's safe return is soon dampened by the realisation that they cannot control him. Possessed with superhuman skills and a unique philosophy he threatens their society - Smith must be contained.

Then a nurse helps him escape his hospital jail.

Their flight becomes a journey of discovery, enlightenment and wonder. But danger is following fast behind, and there will be no escape from the final confrontation.

'The best of his many books and the best in the genre'
Washington Post on Stranger in a Strange Land

(P)2012 Hodder & Stoughton©1961 Robert A. Heinlein Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Science Fiction Thought-Provoking

Critic Reviews

'The best of his many books and the best in the genre.' Washington Post on Stranger in a Strange Land
All stars
Most relevant
it's dated now. many of the attitudes are bygone. but it's a great read of a cracking messiah story. I really.enjoyed it over a loooong time.

Great premise and advanced philosophy for its time

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Its many years ago I read this book and this narrated edition is great enjoy it

A wonderful listen

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It's been 35 years since I've last read this story. Being a huge Heinlein fan as a teen, I was keen to rediscover the stories and science fiction of my youth.

Oh how wrong a choice that was. Such a long winded narrative that dragged on and on and missed creative opportunities to just preach over and over the whole sixties free love philosophies. It wouldn't have been so bad if not for the downright dated aspects of sexism that I had to endure throughout. I'm a guy, and I was just appalled at the narrow minded disrespect given to female characters. They were there for just two things. To look good and to have sex. And let's try to forget his outright 'rape' comment in the text saying that women deserved it. My respect of this author has been shattered.

I've just finished reading Arthur Conon Doyle and although written decades before this book, still manages to have more modern intentions than anything in this current book of 'Stranger'.

The narrator does a great job, but it feels as if even he doesn't like reading the misogyny that drips from every page.

Glad it's over.

Just ..... No !

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I found Stranger in a Strange Land challenged me to think about my own beliefs

As thought provoking today as when it was written,

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This is the first Heinlein book I have read (or more precisely have had read to me). This is of slight embarrassment for someone who would loudly and proudly proclaim themselves a committed fan of Science Fiction at every opportunity. I chose this book simply because it was a title quoted as one of his more notable works and because the name intrigued me. Early on it quickly became apparent that Heinlein has some very clear and strong views about humanity, both good and bad. I was slightly put-off by the amount of rhetoric attached to the story, from the pov that it often felt like the dialogue between characters were set up as convenient bookends upon which to espouse his views. That said, I found his observations as striking as they were intelligent. I kind of had to forgive the slightly lecture-like nature of the story-telling because he had so many interesting things to say. While the Story itself was fairly pedestrian, the examination of humanity itself kept me engaged right up until the end, at which point it switched into high-gear, delivering a visceral knockout blow that felt only more powerful because of the slow-burn that got me to that point. When all was said and done, I was really glad I had finally chosen to visit some of his work. He is indeed a master author and story teller, and I look forward to visiting more of his work in the future. ps. My title for this review reflects a small but lingering feeling I have always carried of being a stranger in a strange land. Sadly you don't have to be from Mars to feel that you are visiting a culture you struggle to fully understand or be understood by.

The search for belonging

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