Scan barcode
A review by givenscissors
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
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.
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
Graphic: Sexism, Cannibalism, and Sexual harassment