STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND:

[clareabella]

Has anyone read Robert A. Heinlein's 'Stranger in a Strange land'?? I have just finished it and I think it's fantastic!! Heinlein is a most excellent writer, and Mike just the best Man from Mars in a long run. One of those books that you can discuss for nights on end.

[brian]

I did actually have this book unread on my shelves a couple of years ago. But, darn it, think it went into the loft along with the rest of the novels I had then.

[clareabella]

Damn it!! Ypu've got to read it ASAP!!! It's the best book I've read for ages!! I actually read it in two days, when usually it takes me over a week! I demand you read it for your own sanity!!

[brian]

Searching the loft would be a mind-numbing process - basically, since I became a dad I've been squeezed out with a host of my things taking refuge in the loft.

However, I think I'm going to have to start looking out for second-hand bookshops. I'm sure there's one not too far away, and frankly after buying Peter F. Hamilton I think I'll go the cheaper road when purchasing unfamiliar works.

Soon see how it goes...

[Eldanuumea]

Oh Brian, you do have to find a copy and read it. It is a marvelous book......raises interesting questions about many things.

[brian]

Still not been in the loft for the books and stuff - but been busy in our wee little garden putting up a fence. From someone who can barely rewrite a plug, it's quite an achievement!

Assuming it stays up, that is - unlike the other fence...

[clareabella]

that's procrastination! > :

i've never found robert. a heinlein in any book shop let alone any second hand shop. but indeed, you never know.

second hand bookstores are a mecca for the book person, i some how think they're spiritully linked to me, as i think about a book i should get or find out abuot, and low and behold i find it in a second hand book store for 30p. it's a sign!

[brian]

I intend to go into the loft sometime over the next few days. Hopefully, I'll find it then.

[chronicles]

I got it down! I got it down!

I went into the loft today.

Won't be able to start reading it until next week, but assuredly it will be the next book I read.

[littlemissattitude]

So, tell, tell...how did you like it?

[brian]

I still haven't got around to reading it! My girlfriend is actually halfway through it, but I'll try to be next.

[dwndrgn]

I tried reading it a long time ago and couldn't get through it. Since I think I was in high school at the time, I should probably try it again.

Second-hand bookshops are great! We have some where you trade in your old books and get credit towards whatever they have in stock. What a world we live in!

[brian]

My girlfriend has put it down two-thirds of the way in and says she can't be bothered with it. She's complained about it for a while - doesn't like the dated gender roles, the characters, or the way it's written. She says she's been forcing herself to read it - but now no moer! She's rung her sister to get her to send her the fourth "Otherland" novel instead.

Hm...

[Foxbat]

My opinion (for what it's worth): Stranger in a Strange Land is probably the finest book ever written by Heinlein. The problem is not with this particular work but with his subsequent work. I always felt that, in most of his later efforts, it was the same character regurgitated which, to me, showed Heinlein's limitations. Paradoxically, Michael Moorcock made a career out of character regurgitation (The Eternal Champion) and it worked for him. I think the reason it worked was because Moorcock's was a conscious decision whereas Heinlein was probably working at his limits. Still, it's a fine book and worth persevering with.

[brian]

I daren't touch it at the moment, though - I am so easily influenced by what I read. "Emperor" is coming along a little too slowly - and as it's stylistically based on "Dune" I've been reading extracts of that novel again, just to get myself into shape for writing character conflicts, etc.

I will ensure that I read "Stranger in a Strange Land" the moment I've finished writing that. Or maybe before, if I find this quiet phase turn into a lull.

While we're on the topic of Heinlein, though - would anyone make a general recommendation of his other works? How about "Starship Troopers"? Although objections were covered on another thread, I wonder if there's anything else by Heinlein that really stands out behind Stranger?