Stranger in a Strange Land- 8th Hugo Award Winner (1962)
8th Hugo Award Winner (1962)
3rd of 4 Hugo’s won by Heinlein
Was partially inspired by Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book
The original version of the book before edits was 25% longer
“A desire not to butt into other people’s business is at least eighty percent of all human wisdom”
Overview
Valentine Michael Smith is a human born on Mars and raised by Martians. He returns to Earth as an adult & due to some unique circumstances, has a huge inheritance that a lot of powerful people want.
Michael doesn’t understand earth customs & people are after his money. Unfortunately for these people, they don’t realize Michael has superhuman powers.
A nurse, journalist, & a retired businessman try & help Mike understand his circumstances & what it means to be human.
Pros
It makes fun of religion in a very clever way.
Michael Smith has no concept of religion so people sound absurd when they try and explain it to him
Some progressive ideas about sex and relationships.
One common theme is people should mind their own business.
Cons
Jubilee Harshaw brings forward a lot of strong opinions & beliefs. Feels like Heinlein is speaking though him. Jubilee is also this Mary Sue, jack of all trades who is always right (alpha male cringe energy).
The last 3rd of the book spent too much time focusing on the sexual activities of the main characters. The social commentary about normal relationship standards was already made earlier in the book. So it didn’t feel like any of this was adding to the plot at all.
Should you read it?
Yes if you like Heinlein but no if you have not read him before.
My Rating
525 pages