STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

clareabella · 6th February 2003, 04:35 PM

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.

I, Brian · 7th February 2003, 08:33 PM

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 · 22nd February 2003, 12:27 PM

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!!

I, Brian · 23rd February 2003, 03:46 PM

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 · 13th March 2003, 03:12 PM

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

I, Brian · 31st March 2003, 07:18 PM

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 · 14th April 2003, 12:52 PM

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!

I, Brian · 17th April 2003, 03:29 PM

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

I, Brian · 25th April 2003, 04:32 PM

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 · 3rd July 2003, 07:40 AM

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

I, Brian · 3rd July 2003, 09:43 AM

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

dwndrgn · 7th July 2003, 05:38 PM

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!

I, Brian · 14th July 2003, 04:20 PM

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 · 28th July 2003, 08:43 AM

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.

I, Brian · 28th July 2003, 09:01 PM

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?

6th February 2003, 04:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
clareabella Lead guitar Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 39	STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: 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.

7th February 2003, 08:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
I, Brian Brian G. Turner Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 9,266 Blog Entries: 12	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: 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.

22nd February 2003, 12:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
clareabella Lead guitar Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 39	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: 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!!

23rd February 2003, 03:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
I, Brian Brian G. Turner Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 9,266 Blog Entries: 12	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: 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...

13th March 2003, 03:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Eldanuumea Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 15	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: Oh Brian, you do have to find a copy and read it. It is a marvelous book......raises interesting questions about many things.

31st March 2003, 07:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
I, Brian Brian G. Turner Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 9,266 Blog Entries: 12	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: 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...

14th April 2003, 12:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
clareabella Lead guitar Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 39	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: 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!

17th April 2003, 03:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
I, Brian Brian G. Turner Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 9,266 Blog Entries: 12	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: I intend to go into the loft sometime over the next few days. Hopefully, I'll find it then.

25th April 2003, 04:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
I, Brian Brian G. Turner Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 9,266 Blog Entries: 12	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: 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.

3rd July 2003, 07:40 AM	#10 (permalink)
littlemissattitude Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: California Posts: 3,576 Blog Entries: 9	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: So, tell, tell...how did you like it?

3rd July 2003, 09:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
I, Brian Brian G. Turner Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 9,266 Blog Entries: 12	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: I still haven't got around to reading it! My girlfriend is actually halfway through it, but I'll try to be next.

7th July 2003, 05:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
dwndrgn Fierce Vowelless One Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,823	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: 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!

14th July 2003, 04:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
I, Brian Brian G. Turner Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 9,266 Blog Entries: 12	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: 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...

28th July 2003, 08:43 AM	#14 (permalink)
Foxbat Haggis Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,990	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: 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.

28th July 2003, 09:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
I, Brian Brian G. Turner Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: UK: SCOTLAND: Posts: 9,266 Blog Entries: 12	Re:STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND: 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?

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