Sara’s Review: Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein

Stranger in a Strange Land 
written by Robert A. Heinlein
published by Ace, 1961

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Did I enjoy this book: I really REALLY liked this book. Of course, it is a classic science fiction book, but I have been let down before (ahem . . . Asimov’s Foundation Series).

The concept of a human being born and raised on another world and reintroduced to Earth is not a totally unique concept (however, this may have been the first iteration of it), but it’s done so well. There was not a single time I didn’t believe Valentine Micheal Smith wasn’t raised by a race of aliens on another planet. I was fully immersed in the fictional world!

Learning about the alien species through the human-ish perspective of Smith is both interesting and eye opening. Like most “classic” extraterrestrials in literature, the aliens are enlightened beyond human comprehension, but what I enjoy about them is that the Martian race was neither a group of “little green men” nor humanoid creatures with horns. I found the physical description of the aliens quite intriguing. I also enjoyed the fact that this intelligent race had asexual reproduction. This is a concept that I have never considered before. How would a race of intelligent beings work with asexual reproduction? Perhaps a better question is, “What would they think of us?”

Much of this book feels like a statement regarding the current state of the human race in our developmental journey. From religion to politics, science to philosophy, Heinlein addresses every aspect of the human race and deconstructs it from the perspective of a man who was raised as an alien. This is just fascinating! Through the eyes of Micheal Smith we are able to see both the best and the worst of what the human race has to offer the universe, but that is not the only thing Smith sees. Heinlein also gives the human race hope and potential to become more than we are, which is all any of us could ever hope for.

Many times during this book I found myself wishing that this fictitious world were real so that I could meet these characters, talk with them, and learn more about them. I wanted to jump inside this book and never leave.

All of the characters are wonderfully developed and completely believable, but my favorite by far is Jubal. I just fell in love with Jubal, and I would love to be one of his ‘girls’ . . . (I know that sounds bad, but read the book and you will understand; Jubal is nothing if not a gentleman). He is so wise, weird, and fun at the same time–life would never be boring under his roof.

Would I recommend it: I sure would! If you are a fan of Sci Fi, you simply must read this. In my opinion, it’s up there with the Dune Chronicles and the Ender’s Game series. I would even be willing to read it again because I’m sure there are things that I missed. Happy reading, and “May you never Thirst.”

About the book – from Goodreads: Here is Heinlein’s masterpiece–the brilliant spectacular and incredibly popular novel that grew from a cult favorite to a bestseller to a classic in a few short years. It is the story of Valentine Michael Smith, the man from Mars who taught humankind grokking and water-sharing. And love.