Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Unforgettable
Review: I realise that this book has been reviewed and reviewed to death, but what the hell, you may as well have my two bobs worth.The title of my review really says it all. I first read "Stranger" about 20 years ago, and no novel in any genre has remained so firmly entrenched in my mind as this one.
Suffice it to say that to this day when I'm asked "what should I read next", I immediately recommend "Stranger". If you have any sort of philosophical bent, are concerned about the morality of the human race, or are even troubled about existence itself, then this book is for you. How can a book of fiction arouse this sort of passion you might ask? Well I won't answer that, just read it and find out for yourself. I have no trouble admitting that I wept at the ending, and my only two regrets in my history of reading are that I've never found another book since that moved me the same way, and that the second reading could never be the same as the first. Whether or not you happen to like or dislike the philosophy of Mr. Heinlein, (and I believe he used the story as a vehicle for that purpose) this book simply demands that you at least think about it. For me that is it's true value, and why it will always remain at the top of my A list. Don't miss it.
Rating:
Summary: How could you Not read this book?
Review: "How could you not read this book?" That's not a rhetorical question at all. For those that haven't read Stranger in a Strange Land, my advice to you is, "READ IT!!" The book follows an intricate but understandable path illustraiting how we humans treat others who are different. In this case "the man from mars" thinks differently. Do not read this book if you are shaky in your religion, it will turn your world inside out. The new Ideas it introduces to you will make you think, even if you do not want to. I read it after my friend did a book report on it in my English class. It had fascinated her, as was apparent by the way she described the book. I read it, it is Fascinating. This is what real Science Fiction should do.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Too Bad For Children/A Sci-Fi Primer
Review: A very silly, very simple book with no challenging ideas. Not for serious contemplation, but not without redeeming features.
Rating: 
Summary: the truth lies somewhere between kumquat and reaver
Review: Read the two contradictory reviews by kumquat and reaver (why can't people review with names that are easy to spell ;). Reaver rightly points out that this is a very good book, but he glosses over the reasons and probably chooses the wrong ones. Kumquat's points are all very valid but he's got the rating wrong. Heinlein isn't necessarily telling a story here, he's trying to open people eyes and change their thinking. I think you can get more out of Jubal than you can out of Mike himself - Jubal is all too human but he begins to except a new way of thinking when it is presented to him and proved to be superior. Kumquat, when he comments about the examination of alien culture and how that would be intersting, is looking for a more traditional science fiction story here, a sought of Star Trek like ethnographic and demographic survey of the universe. If that is what you like in sci-fi you'll probably miss it here. This is more in the model of Huxley and Orwell - open your eyes and exam yourself and your own culture, rather than examining everyone elses.
Having said all this, I must add that after everything you go through in "Stranger", I don't get where Heinlein's coming from. What's he really trying to say? I've reexamined my own beliefs and tried to disabuse myself of some of the more illogical ones, but where does that leave you? In a vaccum. And I don't really think Heinlein was trying to fill that vaccuum with 'a peace, love, sleep with anything with a heartbeat' philosophy, whatever the hippies might try and tell you. I guess I'm complaining because I missed the greater meaning and that irritates me
Rating:
Summary: An extremely compelling story, well told...
Review: Stranger in a Strange Land is a very open-minded look at our culture, religion in particular. The adventures of Michael Valentine Smith reveal the true nature of the human spirit in regard to what we believe about ourselves and our surroundings. Beware, this story has some mature themes that might not be suitable to children.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book... if you grok it.
Review: Everyone else has already gone over the plot of this book ad infinitum et ad nauseum. I don't think I need to rehash it for you, do I? No? Thank you. Bearing in mind that Heinlein never intended to found a new religion with this book (although he inadvertantly did so anyway, and the Church of All Worlds still exists today), let me offer a few opinions. As a woman in her late twenties, I do not find Heinlein's literary vision of love without jealousy to be merely "an adolescent geek-boy's fondest dream." It is also my dream. I have seen entirely too many friendships end and too many perfectly good relationships messed up because we confuse lovers and spouses with property. The sexism in this book (NOT misogyny, an entirely different animal) did disturb me somewhat, but this book was written in the fifties -- what did you expect, a Bible of political correctness? As a religious person I don't see where Heinlein badmouths any religion, even Christianity. I do see where he questions religious conventions. I could understand how conservative types might mistake that for badmouthing, though. I know they think their teachings should be accepted mindlessly... I do see an underlying message in this book which most of you have missed, but which you may be assured the young people of the Sixties did not miss. And that is: Cultural perceptions are shaped by language. Religion may be seen as a language, because aside from speech it is one of the earliest societal conventions taught to most of us, even earlier than formal schooling, and it shapes our cultural perceptions just as language does. The logical answer for anyone wishing to shape our culture in a different direction is to teach a different language or, barring that, a different religion. (Valentine Michael Smith did both, with stunning results.) I suspect that's the biggest reason you will continue to see negative reviews here from conservative Christians and cultural elites: consciously or unconsciously they understand this message and they are threatened by it. Smith explained to Hershaw that what he was teaching really wasn't a religion. I would have to disagree. He was getting people back in touch with their Divine nature, which is the very heart of the entymology of the word "religion" -- "religare," "to re-link [with the Divine]." As such he empowered all who would listen to his message. Hardly the sort of behavior one would expect from a fascist. Yes, I would highly recommend this book. Unless you are afraid of people making you think, in which case I recommend you trip on over to the music area and purchase Britney Spears' entire music catalog...
Rating:
Summary: I can (almost) grok it.
Review: While the novel may seem a bit dated and misogynistic, even a bit naive in its portrayal of a "perfect" communal society where everyone shares the love and nobody gets jealous, it is still a classic and beautiful in its message. Why can't we all just love each other and communicate mind-to-mind and discorporate when we're ready? And when are the Martians going to finally decide to destroy us for good and for all?
Rating:
Summary: Project Week at Putney
Review: This science fiction novel is filled with mind opening ideas, but be sure to allow yourself time to absorb it rather than packing your with wisdom quickly. I love the spirituality intertwined in a story that also revolves around money and sex. This story feels almost like a moral or warning to the culture we live in today. The martins that the human race encounters unsurprisingly live in a much more spiritually in tune culture. I believe Heinlein may have created them to paint a picture of an emotionally supportive culture that humans could adapt to as well. The Martians' emotionally sable qualities were also an enigma to the speedy human society of the future (and today). This made way for a definite clash, reveling the tensions of acceptance towards cultures unlike your own. And how meeting another life form with unheard of abilities can both are enlightening and frightening. This is a fascinating book that I could not turn people away from, even those who do not feel magnetized to science fiction. Give it time, and a try; you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic
Review: This is a wonderful book, filled with questions we often ask ourselves. What would really happen if we were to have a Man from Mars? This story tells one way it could happen in a beautifully written form.
We, as the reader, follow Valentine Michael Smith and his "water brother", Jill, around as they embark upon their quests to keep Mike healthy and safe and to find out the mysteries of him and his home planet.
A miraculous read and a wonderful classic story!
Rating:
Summary: Stranger In A Strange Land
Review: This isn't your normal sci-fi novel from the 60's. It isn't little green men coming out of pie shaped tin cans, asking in broken English for the nearest leader in the vicinity. This book creates it's own philosophy of big money society, and our culture in general. It holds a mirror up to our faces and says, take a big look, and get your priorities strait.
For a book written in the 60's it's incredible modern (I had some trouble with it's sexiest male characters but...) it had a sophisticated ring to it.
Before you commit to this book you must realize that it's going to be very involved relationship, and you won't want to break it off, it's a big let down when the book ends, and you realize that there is no more to read.
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