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I'm setting this one up a day early so I don't forget. Also, my day tomorrow is looking really busy.

So! Stranger in a Strange Land is our random read for December. It's an old favorite of mine. It should be fun discussing.

Dang where did November go???
I need to get reading!

Time flies. Especially this time of year for some reason. Feels like it should be September to me. Early September at that. lol

I'm trying to survive the season. I probably will be participating in this one. Actually, I'll be doing both of the December reads. They both look great.

Maggie wrote: "Dang where did November go???
I need to get reading!"

I feel the same way.

Aloha wrote: "I'm trying to survive the season. I probably will be participating in this one. Actually, I'll be doing both of the December reads. They both look great."

This is my problem too! Not enough time and some great BotMs....ugh. I am giving both of these a shot though

I read this last year, I was a little underwhelmed if I am honest. Although grok entered my vocabulary for two months or so before disappearing again.

I'll say more once others have read it.

I'm planning on listening to the audio of this. Should be able to start by next week. I've always wanted to read this. I do like Robert A. Heinlein. I was disappointed with The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. I'm hoping this won't be the same way. But it certainly has been a book that is well know in pop culture, which is kind of rare for a science fiction book.

I read this years ago because I heard it was so great. I didn't agree with it's greatness. I liked it but didn't love it. With that said, I was young, and most likely would have a different and more appreciative reaction to it now. I'll try to squeeze it in this month but if not, I'll still enjoy reading what everyone else has to say.

I've read practically everything from Heinlein except this, perhaps his most obligatory work. I should probably read it this month...

I don't know if I'll get a chance to re-read this. Might just skim parts so that I can float in and out of the discussion. ;)

I read this long ago (probably late 60s), and recall really liking it. Reread it around 3 years ago, but this time the "uncut" version -- was significantly underwhelmed. Have often wondered since whether it was just the age (both mine and the world) or whether, like many editor cut movies, the "editing" was an improvement.
So which are people reading - and anyone else read both and have an opinion?

I read this in the late 70's. Remember being impressed with Heinlein at that time. I'll do a re-read and see what I think now that I am no longer a teenager.

I read this when I was fairly young, too. A re-read might change my view of the book as well.

I've read the novel twice now that you guys bring it up. I first read it when I was 18 and then revisited the novel a few years ago. I enjoyed it both times, but remember it seeming more out there the first time around particularly when it came to the novel's philosophical and sexual discussions.

I'm about 60% of the way through it right now and it's my first time. No spoilers in this post.

It's obvious what the author thinks of religion and big government etc since it's all just outright said. The book's pretty much just exploring what would happen if two really powerful guys took on a corrupt society.

I'm slightly disappointed that the first SF book I'm reading because of this group is using it as nothing more than a preaching stand but it's been good overall.

The book is quite preachy, it is synonymous with Heinlein's work though, and the concepts within the book are plain hippy. It is a book of its time, that being said it does make interesting observations about religion, sex, marriage, and money, as well as introducing some fairly amusing concepts, like the Fair Witness.

I read a lot of Heinlein when I was a teenager - I guess its language was more approachable than some other books at the time. I am just a third in at this point in time. As I am reading I feel like I am suspended in some 50/60s movie. It almost feels like peering into an old movie set. You must admit that the conversation is kind of corny and old-fashioned and perhaps a bit simplistic? Does anybody else have that feeling as they are reading SIASL? I wish Heinlein was a better writer, but maybe he was trying to appeal to a certain crowd when he wrote his numerous books?

Now, the concept of the book is very interesting!! :)

I was thinking. Which version of the novel are you guys reading? The 1961 0r 1991? I have only read the 90's version and sometimes wonder if the novel would read better in the original form.

What is the difference between the 1961 edition and 1991 edition?

Length. Apparently, the publisher edited a good amount of stuff in the first version. And in the '90's it was restored, but I am sure that Heinlein had passed by then.

Oscar wrote: "Length. Apparently, the publisher edited a good amount of stuff in the first version. And in the '90's it was restored, but I am sure that Heinlein had passed by then."

Yes, my copy says "the original uncut"
So, I am assuming that the version I read when I was a kid at 13, (oh my, 36 years ago) was a "cut" version. It has been so long since I have read it that it is much like doing it all fresh anyway. I forgot how much I loved and devoured Heinlein when I was a kid. Loving this!!

I so want a grass living room rug!! Laying on that on a Maine winter's day and reading.....aahhhh...

I want a grass living room rug too! :D

Picnics anytime despite rain. I can do without the ants though. ;)

ahhh, the smell of a fresh cut living room lawn!

this book forever shaped (shapes) the way that I see the world - politically, religiously, emotionally, etc. I see Stranger as a very spiritual text, not just a SF novel. The great thing about so much of Heinlein's work is that he tackles themes (whether surface or underneath) that abide - freedom (and what that means), corrupt government, war, colonization and/or governmental takeovers, god/religion, etc. I could read Stranger over and over (and, frankly, I do - like 10 times over the last decade and a half) and come away with different meanings from different parts. What about inclusion? What about racism/sexism? What about capitalism/consumerism? These are all themes that I see in Stranger - what else can you see beyond the living room lawn and the fallen caryatid?

I don't know if any of you have had a chance to catch the TV show, Prophets of Science Fiction on the Science Channel but they will be doing an episode on Robert Heinlein on February 15 at 10pm eastern and pacific time. Its a very cool show and so much of what Heinlein wrote about in Stranger has come to pass, it will be interesting to see what they have to say. The show is hosted by Ridley Scott.

Christine, thanks for the info. I watched the episodes about; Dick and Clarke and found them very enjoyable.

yes - thanks Christine - sounds awesome!

I liked the other episodes I have watched, Mary Shelley and H.G. Wells. They will be doing Jules Verne and George Lucas in February.

Dora wrote: "this book forever shaped (shapes) the way that I see the world - politically, religiously, emotionally, etc. I see Stranger as a very spiritual text, not just a SF novel. The great thing about so m..."


Thanks for such a passionate appeal. Even though I had signed up to read this I had gotten a little behind on some of my reading and had decided to skip it. But after your comment I have started reading. This is why I like Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, we get to share our joy of reading with like minded folks.

Wow, I'm kind of late on this one. I'm glad I read it, but I have to say with a handfull of Heinlein books under my belt I really like his earlier stuff better. But I appreciate some of the themes he tackled in this book.

Banner, what would you recommend from Heinlein's earlier stuff?

Jason, I don't hear a lot about this book but I really enjoyed Have Space Suit-Will Travel. It helps to just kind of go with the tech in this one, but it's a fun adventurous read.

I prefer Citizen of the Galaxy over Have Spacesuit, but they're both good.

I read and hated the shorter version of Stranger in my teens. Specifically, I disagreed ideologically with the ideas, I was turned off by the preachiness, and I thought the plot was thin and anti-suspenseful. I sometimes think I should try the longer version. Does anyone have a thought about whether I would like that more?