Questions About Stranger in a Strange Land

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Answered Questions (19)

Did it seem like a wandering 60's era mess to you too with little point to it?

Matt I read recently that this book took Heinlein years to write, and he wrote it roughly in two parts - I think the split is pretty identifiable, as the l…moreI read recently that this book took Heinlein years to write, and he wrote it roughly in two parts - I think the split is pretty identifiable, as the last 1/3 of the book seems completely different (and frankly, worse) than the first 2/3.

The first part is a tightly-focused adventure with a few philosophical rants from Jubal thrown in. The second part is preachy and pretentious, and just doesn't feel like the same book.(less)

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How is Valentine so incredibly different if he's the child of the scientists who crashed only 25 years ago? How does this make sense? What am I missing?

Nick Valentine is human but was raised by Martians. I think Heinlein is attempting to portray the vastness of human potential as Duane said, as well as our…moreValentine is human but was raised by Martians. I think Heinlein is attempting to portray the vastness of human potential as Duane said, as well as our adaptability. Who's to say that being raised by creatures with abilities surpassing humans wouldn't open up new avenues within the human brain. We are more complex than we can ever know. The nature of the brain is largely unknown, what could we be missing due to the constraints of our surroundings? (less)

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Only been 40% of the book so far and I'm lost. The writing is weird and everything goes everywhere in the same time... Is that me or...?

Leslie Farquharson If it IS you, then its BOTH of us because I felt the same way. Got through the first quarter of the book and was half lost and half bored. I'm determi…moreIf it IS you, then its BOTH of us because I felt the same way. Got through the first quarter of the book and was half lost and half bored. I'm determined to go back to it, but not because I'm jones-ing.(less)

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Which version of the book should I read: the original publication, or the longer, "uncut" edition?

prcardi I've not read the original publication, but the longer, "uncut" edition needed to be shorter and extensively cut. Unless you are actually studying Hei…moreI've not read the original publication, but the longer, "uncut" edition needed to be shorter and extensively cut. Unless you are actually studying Heinlein as an author and how his ideas and styles changed over time, I suspect it is not worth reading the longer version.(less)

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I, too, am disgusted by sexism. However, I understand that many older pieces of literature are rife with it, as culture was different. Yes, the chauvinism is difficult to ignore, but I always consider cultural/generational context. Are you able to look past those things (WITHOUT condoning them) in the interest of enjoying the piece of art? Or must they totally ruin the book for you?

Dani I think, unfortunately, it is sometimes necessary to ignore the nasty parts and just try to take something away from the art. However, I known there i…moreI think, unfortunately, it is sometimes necessary to ignore the nasty parts and just try to take something away from the art. However, I known there is a difference between a book being a a product of its time and having a few off colour ideas presented to the reader and a reader being overwhelmed by messages which conflict with their world view. For example, Anna Karenina is very much a product of its time/location. Leo Tolstoy held some disgusting views, a few of which leak into the mindset of some of the characters. I think that book is 100000x more palatable than SSL. Heinlein has his characters say one thing and act in the opposite way. He presents only one world view which is 'Correct'. There is little wiggle room to give him a pass. That being said, I think there are interesting aspects to the story and much to take away from the book if those things can be ignored. If someone puts down this book unfinished, however, I cannot blame them.(less)

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Unanswered Questions (3)

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Does this book represent the phenomenological philosophical experience of Epoke' in a valid way? Do we need a new version?

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How many kinds of "Mike" does it take to grok a "STABLE GENIUS"? Quick, on the bounce!

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