We live in the world this book made

Will you find this book boring? You may if: you expect all science fiction to be about action, aliens, spaceships, violence, and bizarre sex; if you don't have the patience to listen to a conversation about ideas; if you don't know what the American world-view was like when the book was written.

SIASL was written before the sexual revolution began, before cynicism about our government was popular, when mainstream religious thought was considered above criticism. I don't say this novel was solely responsible for changing the world, but it was part of the spark that began that change. In the post-Watergate, post-Pill, post-Sun-Myung-Moon era, it's hard for some folks to see the stunning impact the book had. Now we've had communes and religions that were formed based on the ideas in this book. We live in the world that this book helped to make; it's hard to be shocked by it anymore.

But the ideas remain, and they're still thought-provoking. Could the religion described in the book actually exist? There now is a real Church of All Worlds; clearly, their members think so.

I admit the book shows its age. Heinlein's attitudes towards homosexuality would change over the next couple of decades; the book's views on that and on drug use are stuck in the 1960's. But all works are products of their times, and this one fine story for those who choose to listen.

A special mention for the reader, Christopher Hurt, who does an excellent job with his voice work.

110 people found this helpful

Amazing...a must read!

SiaSL is one of the few books that I grab a copy of whenever I go into a second hand book store to be given away to anyone who shows an interest. It is also the first Audible book I downloaded. It is classified as a Sci-Fi book but it is much harder to easily describe such a fine book. It is a commentary on the human race and our traditions from the perspective of an insightful outsider. Religion is the most obvious and controversial issue. It was actually banned in some states from public libraries and schools because of this fact. It is not a religion bashing book howeever, it just makes you think about things that so many take for granted. I strongly reccommend this book for those that are looking for powerful, likeable characters and insights that only a genius could create. (I have tried to read his other books but am not a big fan of hardcore sci-fi books. Take a chance and learn to Grok your life in a whole new way!

58 people found this helpful

Seriously overrated

This is one of those books everyone says you've just got to read, a must have sci-fi classic. The first 1/4 of the book is pretty good and seems like it's setting up an interesting sci-fi thriller. Then it turns into religion mocking essays masquerading as a corny romance novel. The last 3/4 is pretty dull and disappointing. I'm a bit sorry to say I finished it, but you know how it is, a book this highly regarded has to get better. It didn't. You could get similar material by asking a few college stoners to write you a short story. Maybe his other books are better, I don't know, this was his first I listened to, but I'm unlikely to find out now.

13 people found this helpful

Great narrator!

OK, this book is now a little dated, but it's still a classic; I remember being shocked by the views on religion and sex. Now, not so much. But Christopher Hurt is a wonderful narrator, and brings the characters to life. Great fun.

24 people found this helpful

A Parable for the Ages

Although written over forty years ago this semi sci-fi still rings true today. While it tells the story of an earthling born on Mars who returns to Earth, it is really a parable on many of our social mores. The author has a sharp knife. He doesn't spare government, religion, the media, sexual proclivities or law enforcement. Our Martian sic earthing is the reluctant "deus ex machina" using his extra terrestrial powers to right wrongs and showing us "Gods" way. While similar plots have been use in numerous Hollywood movies over the last several decades, the book is still interesting and worth listening to.

38 people found this helpful

Still one of my favorite books

I've found that you either love Robert A. Heinlein or you hate him.

I, for one, have enjoyed every book I've read by him. In fact, I get overly depressed when I think about all of the books of his that I have not read.

Is he a perfect author? Absolutely not, but perhaps it is the flawed (and sometimes dated) nature about his books that makes me enjoy his novels so much. It is undeniable that he is The Grandmaster, but none of his books illustrates this title as much as this particular novel. STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND is a thought provoking story about a human being raised by aliens. The book develops into a messianic story about a man who is stronger - both mentally and physically -- than the humans around him --- a superman with a na??vet?? that makes him both endearing and frightful. Peppered with memorable characters like Jubal Harshaw, Heinlein explores topics from sex to religion.

The audiobook is a great way to revisit this novel. However, having a copy of this book is helpful because there are several passages that are worth re-reading a number of times. I hate to make the comparison, but like a well worn bible, my copy of STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND has become a sort of palimpsest with my notes scribbled in the margins. You can see my thoughts (and weaknesses) from my teens to my twenties and on in to my thirties. You will earn your SECRETARY badge by hitting your BOOKMARK button several times. Make the notes, keep them, re-read the book in ten years. You will see how much you've grown and you'll interepret the novel in new, more mature, ways.

If you are a fan of Science Fiction, I recommend this novel simply because I feel that it holds Heinlein's soul.

8 people found this helpful

Wildly Entertaining

What did you love best about Stranger in a Strange Land?

The narration was excellent. Just excellent.

What did you like best about this story?

I particularly enjoyed the personality of the characters.

What does Christopher Hurt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator did exactly what he was supposed to do: Read the text while adding just the right amount of emotion without becoming annoying. It's not easy to find a voice that you can listen to for 16 hours.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed often at the wit of the characters.

Any additional comments?

Excellent book, I highly recommend.

23 people found this helpful

Enhanced version seems to correct audio defects

As other listeners below experienced, I at first found the sound quality too poor for listening, but I downloaded the book again when Enhanced format became available, and the audio quality problems disappeared.

39 people found this helpful

The reader groks Jubal

Very well done. The voice of the reader in conveying Jubal Harshaw was great and added a lot to the story for me. I have read the book many times over the years and it simply doesn't age. This reading of the book was very well done and I enjoyed it very much!

15 people found this helpful

Excellent bit of nostalgia...

It was a pleasure to hear, thirty years later, a book I loved to read so much in my teens. A bit dated, perhaps, but not badly so. It stills says a lot about society in general. The narrator was excellent, so much so as to add quite a lot to a story I already knew. I would listen to a book narrated by him just on his talents alone. I suppose you are either a Heinlein fan or you are not...I am.

18 people found this helpful