Stranger in a Strange Land
by Robert A. Heinlein

Robert A. Heinlein is considered one of the best writers in the field of science fiction. Of the many famous books he has written, one of the most well known is Stranger in a Strange Land which became something of a cult book.

The version of the book I recently picked up is the "original uncut version" released in 1991. According to the introduction by Virginia Heinlein, this version contains 70,000 words cut out from the original edition of the book. Unfortunately for me, it has been many, many years since I read the original edition, so I have really no idea what differences the extra words would make to the novel. So, I will consider this novel by itself and not compare it to the earlier edition.

The story is a kind of 'boy raised in the jungle, is bought back to civilisation and we get a lot of fun seeing ourselves through his eyes' story. But what a story! The 'boy' in this book is Michael Valentine Smith, and the jungle, in this case, is Mars. As the story was originally written in the 1960s, when knowledge of the actual surface condition on Mars was not well known, the author can be forgiven for believing that a man can live exposed on Mars. He is bought back to Earth and that is where the fun begins.

Smith is initially kept isolated in a hospital for fear of adverse reactions to his new environment (even women nurses aren't allowed to see him). But as it becomes clear that Smith is a celebrity and possible heir to a huge fortune, various political forces come into play. Eventually, he escapes and lands up in the estate of Jubal Harshaw.

The book is divided into five sections, each section detailing a segment of Smith's new life on Earth. From his early escape, to his education on how to live on Earth, to his journey of discovery, his 'revelations' and, finally, to his setting up a 'new' religion. Each section is told in great and absorbing detail (with a lot of material thrown in on the political and social issues of the day).

Despite being written in the sixties (and 'restored' in the nineties), this book is still an absorbing book to read. I remember being disappointed with the final sections of the book when I first read it many years ago but that can be put down to youth. On reading it now, I can appreciate those parts of the book much better (although it could be partially due to the additional material added to the book).

If you have the time, give this book a read. You may learn how to 'grok' and consider carefully the statement that "Thou art God."

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Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein

Stranger in a Strange Land
by Robert A. Heinlein