Rating: 
Summary: A real thinker
Review: I would never have read it if it wasnt on my schools reading list. This book definatly makes you think. It put into perspective my personal philisophical and religious views. I have never been able to put to words my beliefs, but this did it for me. I am not saying it is my bible, nor should anyone, but there is a lot of good morals and sound philisophical views... after all, how do we know that there arent just a bunch of "elders grokking our every move?" Hehe... food for thought, that is all it is. Read it, and dont try to get it the first time. I know I will read it a couple more times. Enjoy.-Shaun F
Rating:
Summary: More then anyone would Suspect
Review: I think it takes more then two times of reading this to understand it... If you think you understood this book the first time you read this your wrong. There is two things in science Fiction, Plot and SYMBOLIZATION. Plot is easy Symbolization makes you wounder and understand more. On every page of this book there was a symbol or a moral... I en courage you to read this until you wear down the pages It took me six times... how long did it take you? There is no reason to disagree with me. If you haven't read this book in three years you need to read it again. Look I dont even know the half of the morals in this book... Stranger in a strange land really is a strange land to the normal human and even the smartest human.
Rating:
Summary: Do you 'grok' it???
Review: I read this book. I read it again, and even again. I was amazed every time by its power to move me, its pure emotion and love. I was influenced greatly by this book, as I feel all people should be if they'grok' it. I know there are those that despise it, and those that think it is mediocre. I think that they are entitled to their opinion, I just don't share it. I have read several of these review and am disgusted by some of them. There are quite a few that want to discourage readers because it isn't enough of a science fiction(which Heinlein was known for). I am shocked at this comment, have they not noticed that this book is science fiction, but even more, it is a book about human beings? It is a book about the nature of man, understanding, and above all, LOVE!It is a beautifully put statement on the evils of our society. If you expect a character such as Mike to give humans his insight, you have missed the book's point entirely. He IS HUMAN, and is experiencing it for the first time; it is a picture painted for the benefit of those that are so immersed in our culture, that they can't see some of its most rediculous and harmful features. And, maybe the technological descriptions DO become outdated, but this book NEVER will. I see another comment by the critics involves the "orgies" and "cults" in this book. I can only say that if you see them as disgusting and lewd behavor,instead of a beautiful understanding and love, I'm sorry for you. You can choose to interpret the book as having religious meaning or not. I believe that is a matter of personal belief, not fact. I say that however you choose to view the book that it is worth a read to see how you feel.If nothing more, it might give you some insight to your own feelings. I would recomend to anyone, and have many times, with mixed results. It has a wonderful message to spread about man, life, love and human nature.
Rating: 
Summary: good ideas, poorly written, and dated
Review: I read this novel because of it's fame and to find out about the origin of the word "grok". Honestly, I don't believe it deserves the acclaim it has received. Some interesting ideas about the minds of an alien species were presented, but they weren't THAT alien - you could find it all in The Tao Te Ching. The real weakness of this book is the writing style. Heinlein tries to get his particular agenda across through all-knowing but rather patronizing, preachy characters. Typically, he'll have a wise man (Jubal in the book) discuss "controversial" topics (free love, cannabilism, etc.) with other more naïve characters, thereby explaining why the Martian does this or that and why the conventions of society are actually artificial, etc, etc.... boring! If you read sci-fi at all or have a decent mind, you've thought about these things a million times. But the worst is to have all these hackneyed ideas presented in such a transparent fashion. Couldn't he be a little more subtle and work it into the story instead of literally telling you his "truth"? Also, this book is very dated - and that's a terrible thing for a sci-fi novel. I expect sci-fi authors to be ahead of their time, but this book, despite all the talk of sex, has a rather prudish, Daddy knows best, 1950's feel to it. Interestingly enough, for all the sex in the book, there isn't any same-sex playings around. I thought this rather narrow of Heinlein. I believe the book may owe it's popularity to the identification many readers of the male-geek sort feel with the Martian character (and therefore with Heinlein, who apparently identifies with this character). He's intelligent, physically weak (to start), misunderstood, loyal, unaware of Earthly conventions and unfamiliar with human females. By the end of the book he's leading a sex cult and is considered the Messiah by many. Not bad for a geek!
Rating:
Summary: Simply Great!!!
Review: After JUST finishing Stranger In A Strange Land(uncut version) I feel many emotions that stay with me after reading a good book. I can see why the impact of this work was so strong, still is. I wish I could tell Mr. Heinlein how his work has affected and uplifted my spirit, enjoying the humorous and candid way world views are set forth. At the risk of sounding like a religious fanatic, I will share that I cry/am crying for the beauty of its message and wish that others who have not been so touched will one day grok it in fullness for Thou ART God, truly!
Rating:
Summary: Relativity
Review: So everyone has their own opinions. I read this book and I loved it, utterly and completely. Much appreciation resides within my being. Many people have also been positively affected by the concepts of this book and this will continue. Others hated it, and then there are those who fall into gray areas of opinion. Everyone is trying to prove their own opinion--I don't think it matters WHERE you get thought/feeling inspirations as long as you do. For those who didn't like this book, so what? Keep it to your self and let those who have been enriched by this book enjoy what they have received from it. Focus on something that does enrich you and leave the things you don't like to those who will. Never mind the location of content. I can derive more meaning from one leaf sometimes than a book with a thousand words. So what? It doesn't matter where you get meaning, as long as you are able to. Little things like grokking.....even if I didn't like "Stranger...", just that one concept would be worth it to me to have read it. Everyone must cultivate their own garden. (any replies welcome, from either enthusiats or non-enthusiasts...I'm sure everyone is enthusiastic about SOMETHING!)
Rating:
Summary: The best book I have ever read!
Review: This book is by far the best book I have ever read. It is so mindblowing! This is the book that changed my life. I whole heartedly beilieve that this is how the world actually works. When I started it I just could not put it down. When it was over I nearly cried. I never wanted it to end, that is how enthralling it is. After finishing it I could not pick up another book for months, it totally blows you away!
Rating:
Summary: i'm in love with this book
Review: definitely one of my favorite books.... a little preachy but it really made me think, it seemed so true, i don't know, it's such a fantasy, but i'm still hoping to meet these people someday
Rating:
Summary: Read it before it happens !
Review: In many books of Heinlein, religious aspects of life are presented. The way these aspects blend in in a humorous, original and stimulating piece of writing-art, made Heinlein a fantastic writer. Many people call this "the crown on his work"
Rating: 
Summary: Average
Review: For all of the critical acclaim it has received, I didn't think this was one of Heinlein's better efforts. I didn't think so the first time I read it, and I don't think so now after just reading it again. Heinlein's work isn't as timeless as some people like to think, I consider his style and recurring themes tedious, but do admit that his talent was awesome. At any ratem don't bother with this book, invest your reading time in the new FOUNDATION books, or take a brief break from SF with the great new mainstream novels THE TRIUMPH AND THE GLORY, or THE HUNDRED DAYS. But if you insist upon sticking to SF try CRYPTONOMICON, it was great!
|
