Books You Must Read – Stranger in a Strange Land

I have held back from recommended this book, Stranger in a Strange Land.  This is due to a terrible misuse of it, which has tainted it for decades.   The ‘Mansion Family’ attempted o use the book as their ‘ground rules’.

Stranger in a Strange Land was written by well known Science Fiction Author, Robert Heinlein, and published in 1961.

It took time, but by 1968 it was extremely popular.

The story seems straight forward.   There was a mission to Mars, three people, a married couple and another man are stranded.   A child is born.   The adults all die and the child is raised by ‘Martians’.   These are never seen, perhaps are spirits, but their philosophy and abilities are transmitted to the boy; Valentine Michael Smith, who has lived alone all his life

When he is a young man, he is found on Mars alive, and brought to Earth.

The culture of the Earth, the concepts, are very important.

The novel explores the eventual transformation of Earth culture. In 2012, the United Staes Library of Congress named it one of 88 “Books that Shaped America”

The word ‘grok’ which means ‘understand completely’ is introduced in the book.   So too is ‘Fair Witness’ a person who, if asked ‘What colour is that house?”  will answer; “It is white on this side.”

There is much in the book which explores interactions between people.

For example,  never having seen a human female before Valentine is attended by male staff only until Nurse Gillian Boardman enters.   She shares a glass of water with him,  unaware how significant sharing water is among the Martians.

Many University students read the book, (it was out the same time the Hobbit was, and led to a split; those who read Tolkien and those who read Heinlein.)

It is a very good book.

Well worth a read.