Stranger in a Strange Land
Robert A. Heinlein , 1961. G.P. Putnam’s
Heinlein’s masterpiece, Stranger in a Strange Land had a working title was, ‘A Martian Named Smith’, was first published in 1961. To this day it has not been Out-of-Print. There are many reasons for it’s universal appeal. Heavily edited at 160,000 words the book allows for in-depth character development. Michael Valentine Smith may be as well known a character in Science Fiction circles as Spook.
There is the need for a moment when the suspension of belief is required. That being the notion of an orphaned human, Michael Valentine Smith, being raised by Martians, then returning to earth twenty years later, but it is a small price to pay.
The book won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1962. This cult classic features such notable characters as Jubal Harshaw, an author who dictates his stories to his secretaries, and when they are crying he knows he is done. Nurse Gillian Broadman is Michael’s first encounter with an earth female, and they share the ‘water brother’ ceremony, i.e. share water which is scarce on Mars. This sacred ceremony bonds Smith and Broadman.
The journey is psychological and metaphysical. It is meant to scrape the barnacles from the world presented by religion and the government and became a manifesto for those involved with the hippie free-love movement of the mid to late sixties. Sexual freedom, liberty, responsibility are among the themes offered by the author.
Smith founds the ‘Church of All Worlds’, based on his study of a megachurch. His church becomes a threat to the megachurch and is attacked for practicing “blasphemy”.
This brief overview does not do the book justice. Do yourself a favor, find a copy of the original version and enjoy.1
I’ll close with the character Anne she is the oldest and tallest of three female secretaries who has Fair Witness standing. You’ll have to read the book to find out.
And ‘Grok’
1. In 1991, Heinlein’s wife had published an uncut version of the work. This 220,000 word release added essentially a book length revision to the original.
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Notes:
Once you have finished Stranger in a Strange Land , you’ll want to get your hands on these Heinlein titles.
The Man Who Sold the Moon (1950) , The Past Through Tomorrow (1967), The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress (1967), Time Enough for Love (1973). Robert A. Heinlein
He also wrote some juveniles
Between Planets (1951), The Rolling Stones (1952), Time for the Stars (1956) · Citizen of the Galaxy (1957) and Have Space Suit-Will Travel (1958) to name a few. Pick these up and give them to your young sons.