Stranger in a Strange Land

By: Robert A. Heinlein

Narrated by: Christopher Hurt

Length: 16 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Stranger in a Strange Land is the epic saga of an earthling, Valentine Michael Smith, born and educated on Mars, who arrives on our planet with “psi” powers—telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, telekinesis, teleportation, pyrolysis, and the ability to take control of the minds of others—and complete innocence regarding the mores of man.

After his tutelage under a surrogate father figure, Valentine begins his transformation into a kind of messiah. His exceptional abilities lead him to become many things to many people: freak, scam artist, media commodity, searcher, free love pioneer, neon evangelist, and martyr.

Heinlein won his second Hugo Award for this novel, sometimes called his “divine comedy” and often called his masterpiece. This Blackstone audiobook is the “as published” version, read from an Ace paperback published in 1987. The full, uncut text was not made available until 1991.

©1961 by Robert A. Heinlein (P)1996 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

• Hugo Award, 1962

As important now as in 1961

Chapter 33 gets to the core of it, but the rest sets it up nicely. Like the way the book weaves its bold and noble social philosophy with an evolving tale. Many incisive observations on the corruption of religion and oppressive social norms. Despite some anachronistic sexism in the narrative (typical of that period), it is a blueprint for a better society, without ignoring perils along the way.

incredible but dense book

Perhaps even harder to listen to than read but always compelling nonetheless. If you've got the time then by all means go for it.

One of the truly great novels of our time.

The gift of this work was given to me by one of my most cherished ones, Baha. It opened my eyes to possibilities that I had not dreamt of before. Scence fiction is the genre of the possible, though tied in many ways to the present of the author. It forces us to not simply contemplate our present, but to craft our future. May there always be authors of unvarnished audacity and people willing to give their works the attention that they deserve. Thank you , Mr. H and thank you Baha. I have passed this work on to as many as possible and grok that, though we have no Michael Valentine Smith in the flesh to pass before the masses, the truths that are expressed here need no such trappings in human flesh.

My favorite book, helped define "me".

Would you consider the audio edition of Stranger in a Strange Land to be better than the print version?

I love both versions, but I think Christopher Hurt did a fantastic job of making the characters stand out as individual voices.

What other book might you compare Stranger in a Strange Land to and why?

I like to tell people that I consider Stranger in a Strange Land to be like any other "holy" book, it gives a great story that can give the reader a fresh view of moral and ethical ideas. Heinlein writes the story in a way that the worldview of everyone is challenged in some way, causing every reader to have a thought provoking reaction to whichever scene triggers them personally.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scenes are the early events, where Mike is learning just what a man is. Especially the scene where he learns to laugh, I cry every time I reread it.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Thou art God.

Any additional comments?

This book is a great conversation starter for people taking a hard look at their own world views. Some scenes will definitely make you think.

Better the first time I read it

I love RAH stories and have spent a life time with them. It is clear however that in later life he became obsessed with group sex in its various forms. Perhaps he was a early swinger of some sort. Regardless I now find his sexual revolution discussions tedious and frankly dated. That said RAH is my favorite Guy when it comes to Science Fiction but his stories are becoming dated..

Loved it

Great story, great narrator, and some lovely food for thought. And that's about it, really.

Read this! It is Brilliant

1 of my favorite books read well. I highly enjoyed it if you will too.

excellent and profound

beautiful story! kept me entertained and wanting more. I couldn't stop listening. the narrator changed his voice consistently for each character. it was a delight to listen to him read.

beautiful

this book was wonderful it was filled with things to think about after reading I will probably listen to it again very soon

A classic

I can't say enough about this book. Some say that it is life changing, and I have to agree. Heinlein opens our eyes to new possibilities all through this book. Must read!!!