Stranger in a Strange Land
by Robert A. Heinlein · first published 1961
35% recommend54% neutral11% critical
Why HN recommends it
Philosophical sci-fi about an outsider's view of human customs, praised for its ideas on love, humor, ethics and understanding, and for giving readers the word grok. Suits readers wanting Heinlein's thoughtful side.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Stranger in a Strange Land is a 1961 science fiction novel by American author Robert A. Heinlein. It tells the story of Valentine Michael Smith, a human who comes to Earth in early adulthood after being born on the planet Mars and raised by Martians. The novel explores his interaction with—and eventual transformation of—terrestrial culture. The title is an allusion to the phrase in Exodus 2:22. According to Heinlein, the novel's working title was The Heretic. Several later editions of the book have promoted it as "The most famous Science Fiction Novel ever written".
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…of Spiderman, Superman or Batman. However, I have to concede with a good script and director, these sometimes work. I wish I could see more more Heinlein on film, e.g. Have Spacesuit, Will Travel and Stranger in a Strange Land. Partial treatments were in The Last Starfigher and Star Treks What of Charlie.
on “Apple is making a show based on Isaac Asimov’s ‘Foundation’ books” ↗“Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance” — Robert Pirsig “Siddhartha” — Herman Hesse “Stranger in a Strange Land" - Robert Heinlein "Wind Up Bird Chronicle" - Haruki Murakami The first two were handed to me by my father when I dropped out of high school. Zen was a slog the first time I read through it, I came back…
on “Ask HN: What book have you re-read 3x or more?” ↗…personal preferences. For science fiction I'd change Dune... Even though it's a great book and I like it (I even read Herbert Jr.'s sequels... spoiler: don't) I'd pick something "shinier." Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land, or 2001: An Space Odissey... or go with the weird and pick Rendezvous with Rama. Or just Foundation. Sci-Fi-wise you can't go wrong with Foundation. Ninja-edit: How could I forget The Starmaker by Olaf…
on “Books to Read in a Lifetime” ↗The only other Heinlein book I would recommend beside Starship Troopers (which everyone reads different than Heinlein intended I guess) is "Stranger in a Strange Land".
on “Ursula Le Guin has died” ↗I'm a big Heinlein Fan. I strongly recommend you read his other big famous works, "Starship Troopers" and "Stranger in a Strange Land." After that you can dig deeper into his bibliography, but I'd consider those three to be essential reading. I recently finished "Roadside Picnic" by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky and I loved it. Makes…
on “Beginnings of Science Fiction” ↗To properly grok the word "grok", you need to read "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert Heinlein. Quite possibly the best sci-fi book ever written.
on “Netflix's async sendfile now in FreeBSD-current” ↗…helped shape my understanding of heterosexual relationships. "An Introduction to General Systems Thinking" by Gerald Weinberg, because it illuminates the general laws underlying all systems. Fiction: "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A Heinlein, because it showed me a philosophy and "spirituality", for lack of a better word, that I could agree with. "The Fountainhead" and "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand, because they showed…
on “Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier?” ↗I always viewed reading a book as collecting a soul. If you fully grok a book, you grok the authors thoughts. Being able to put yourself in another persons mindset is crucial. Speaking of "groking", Stranger in a Strange Land, Time Enough for Love and The Fountain Head have probably had the most impact on my mindset. Each book is rather different, but in general the idea of all three is > You have to be in life for yourself,…
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗…way above its goofy premise by taking it seriously, exploring the consequences and treating the characters with empathy and respect. Also hilarious. Seconding Dune, which is a classic for a reason, and Stranger in a Strange Land (though I think The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is a better place to start with Heinlein). Also Neal Stephenson, though I'd suggest Cryptonomicon over Diamond Age.
on “Ask HN: I only read tech/business books – recommend me some fiction?” ↗…the novel, is hilarious on its own, with its hawkishness and interesting political views (it's less creepy than Ender's Game in that aspect though). But Heinlein is a much better writer than Card and Stranger in a Strange land makes up for the juvenile tripe he wrote earlier. I guess Vietnam had to happen for some people to reflect on the Rah-rah-rah kind of military Sci-Fi. (I know there's a cult of Heinlein on HN - I've…
on “Starship Troopers: one of the most misunderstood movies ever” ↗A great one that haven't already been mentioned is "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert Heinlein. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_in_a_Strange_Land It's one of those books that just takes a while to digest after you are done reading it. I highly recommend it.
on “Ask HN: What's your favourite sci-fi/fantasy book?” ↗Wow, not well done. Author glosses over Watchmen, Stranger in a Strange Land, Neuromancer, The Stand, Snowcrash, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, The Left Hand of Darkness, and several others that actually had some very interesting things to say on gender roles and treatment of minorities.…
on “I read the 100 “best” fantasy or sci-fi novels--they were shockingly offensive” ↗I, robot would probably be easier to get into than foundation :) also "stranger in a strange land" by Heinlein makes for a great gift
on “Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?” ↗Neither are new books, but this year I both read and subsequently gifted * 1491 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1491:_New_Revelations_of_the_A... * Stranger in a Strange Land (the "Original, Uncut version") https://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Strange-Land-Robert-Heinlein... 1491 is about the societies in the Americas prior to European contact. And if anyone knows of any books…
on “Ask HN: What book did you read in 2016 that was so good you gifted it to others?” ↗Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert Heinlein There were many other books that influenced me, but the concept of a "Fair Witness" stuck with me - specifically, the idea that one should be aware of what is known versus what is inferred.…
on “Ask HN: Which non-technology book has influenced you the most and why?” ↗