51 pages • 1 hour read
Robert A. HeinleinStranger in a Strange Land
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1961A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein, Valentine Michael Smith, a human raised by Martians, returns to Earth and faces cultural clashes, political intrigue, and social challenges. He learns about humanity while forming deep bonds, eventually founding a new religion that promotes love and spiritual enlightenment, leading to tension with established institutions. The novel contains outdated depictions of gender roles.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein is lauded for its innovative storytelling and provocative ideas about society, religion, and humanity. Critics praise its profound philosophical questions and unique character development. However, some find the pacing slow and the narrative occasionally disjointed. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read that challenges conventional norms.
Who Should Read Stranger in a Strange Land?
Readers who relish thought-provoking science fiction will enjoy Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein. Fans of Dune by Frank Herbert and 1984 by George Orwell, who appreciate complex social commentary and themes of human nature, will find this book captivating.