Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

I read this since I loved "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" so much. I read it about 15 years ago, so maybe I don't remember the sexism? I see now that Mistress explored themes I'm much more interested in eg: AI sentience.

At first Stranger was intriguing because he explained the perspective of Smith and how he processed the world but once I got half way through and it turned into a book about reglion and God Heinlein lost me. I could no longer ignore the sexism to "enjoy" the other parts of the book. Turned from a thought experiment of an alien groking our world and society and exploring his human side to some sort of fantasy for the author where women serve you and sleep with you all the time...and want to be raped?! I was waiting for Jubel or Ben to realize and state how distopian it was, which was hinted at, like Jubal said maybe Smith shouldn't decide who has "wrongness" and decorporate them, but in the end Smith's ideas are celebrated as the way to view the world that the reader should walk away with. Any counter view is an angry murderous mob.

Maybe I'm misinterpreting the intent but for now me no likey.

Content Warnings

sammhill's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Great book on love, this book ends up being very pro polyamory without giving too much away lol. Cool characters and the author is def one of the grandmasters of creative, interesting and informative sci fi. However, the authors takes and writing style can be a little.. dated.

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taybot's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

The sci-fi parts are awesome but Heinlein’s self aggrandizement and the sexism on every other page really hurts the book

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uranaishi's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I understand why this book and it’s ideas were seminal in it’s time, but it is undeniably outdated in a number of ways now.

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dannb's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was written in 1961. it is both sexist/preachy and relevant

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shibaunited's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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charlibirb's review against another edition

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1.5

Hooph. Finally got though this because it's "such a classic".
The SciFi part of it is well done because Heinlein does a good job of creating an alien who doesn't understand human culture. This part is 4 stars.
However... The SEXISM. Rarely do I say that a story would be better without the women in it.
I think the worst quote in the book is from the main female character (not the protagonist of course, but a little lovely little prop) when she says

"Nine times out of ten, if a girl gets raped, it's at least partly her own fault."

So... Yeah.

Content Warnings

amsswim's review

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This one got me good, so this review will be longer than my usuals. This book is considered a classic among science fiction and it I am glad I read it. However I see many of the negative reviews on this one as completely understandable due to the way it completely switches up 2/3 of the way through. If you want an unhinged and fascinating story, this is it.

The author and book are such a product of their time and it shows. THis book was written in 1961, and has moments of laughable (in my opinion) sexism and homophobia. It reads always blatantly as the author speaking through, but then he goes on from that and frames out the most progressive, sex-positive, all-inclusive way of life that combats the hateful views he clearly has but manages to not see that at all past his own self-insertion into the story.

The actual plot of the book is fascinating, the world building is amazing, and it is generally light hearted. The switch up it does is strange but did not ruin it for me. And the part-dated-part-weirdly-progressive views, adds a spice of a technologically advanced society that still has the political views and strife of 1960s America.

I'd say this book was well written, but content/views just need to be taken with a grain of salt. I had a blast listening to this one on Libby, it feels more like a Coen Brothers movie some of the time. Not for everyone, but lets talk books if anyone else decides to read.

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