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mystiktrance's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mugwumpun's review against another edition
4.0
As a classic of SciFi, this was a great read over all. I enjoyed the journey of how Mike grew to understand and then try to change how people think. I think there are some parts of this book that suffer from the time it was written in, with misogynistic undertones that I was able to recognize, though I am sure there are other aspects, as well.
I'd like to read a similar story that is more freeing and all encompassing, of all people, than Stranger.
I'd like to read a similar story that is more freeing and all encompassing, of all people, than Stranger.
love_schwizzle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
stephibabes's review against another edition
4.0
So this was tricky in terms of rating. Some elements of this book have not aged well and I gasped at quite a few things (gender politics, racialised slurs), it is a product of its time if reading a sci-fi novel from the mid 60s.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and it definitely heightened my enjoyment of it. I had a big affection for the character Jubal, despite some problematic views, his insight often made me laugh out loud due to how abruptly shrewd he was and how much his wit caught others off guard. The southern drawl Jubal was portrayed with probably wouldn't have stayed in my head had I been reading, but the narration of the audiobook really elevated this character for me.
I liked Jubal so much I was tempted to give 5 stars. But is it up there as a novel with other 5 star reads? Absolutely not. Do some of the cultural differences make me uncomfortable enough to give it 3 stars? Maybe. Does the audiobook portrayal of Jubal pull it back to a 4 star? Yes. Right. We've settled it.
I borrowed this audiobook using the Libby app from my library. Support your local library!
I listened to this as an audiobook, and it definitely heightened my enjoyment of it. I had a big affection for the character Jubal, despite some problematic views, his insight often made me laugh out loud due to how abruptly shrewd he was and how much his wit caught others off guard. The southern drawl Jubal was portrayed with probably wouldn't have stayed in my head had I been reading, but the narration of the audiobook really elevated this character for me.
I liked Jubal so much I was tempted to give 5 stars. But is it up there as a novel with other 5 star reads? Absolutely not. Do some of the cultural differences make me uncomfortable enough to give it 3 stars? Maybe. Does the audiobook portrayal of Jubal pull it back to a 4 star? Yes. Right. We've settled it.
I borrowed this audiobook using the Libby app from my library. Support your local library!
michinio's review against another edition
5.0
Despite some ideas not so well opened in the second half comparing to the first one, this is kind of sci-fi that breaks the rules. People tend to describe it as a kind of hippie sci-fi thing, but in 1961 hippie movement was just in a mother's womb, so come on. I'd rather call it post-modern sci-fi, though this is not an exact definition for it.
Again, some parts are better than the others and honestly this book might have been shorter, if those not so well developed ideas are removed. Or it might have been even longer, if the ideas are opened till the end. But there are quite many brilliant moments in the novel, the kind of moments that even one could grace a single book.
Verdict: simply masterpiece!
Spoiler
too much free love stuff to the end andAgain, some parts are better than the others and honestly this book might have been shorter, if those not so well developed ideas are removed. Or it might have been even longer, if the ideas are opened till the end. But there are quite many brilliant moments in the novel, the kind of moments that even one could grace a single book.
Verdict: simply masterpiece!
aathos's review against another edition
1.0
It started out good enough with an interesting twist on the 'boy raised away from civilization' trope, but ended up being a bunch of humanist dreck. It is also extremely misogynistic, though it is not too surprising considering it was first published in 1960.
gizadaemon's review against another edition
1.0
Good reminder to not judge a book by its cover, because this hardcover is stunning, but the actual book...eeeehhhh. Starts out with a massive info dump. Then goes on for several pages about fictional laws and politics because that's exciting. Then we get to see Robert's self-insert surrounded by hot women who live to dress skimpy around him and be at his beck and call. Ooookay. Could've kept that in your head buddy but sure. We get the lovely quote about rape being women's fault. Fun. And then it becomes an alien-power fueled, healing, hippie orgy cult with our protagonist as a Christ stand-in egging it on. I...I just don't even know anymore. Oh but don't worry the orgies are strictly heterosexual. Our protagonist makes it clear that being gay is disgusting and wrong. Because that's apparently where Robby wanted to draw the line. Did I mention the Hardcover glows in the dark? So pretty. Never reading this again but I'm happy to keep looking at it.
noodlerabbit88's review against another edition
Too much exposition, lots of names and places. Couldn't get my head round it.
pgmears's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
Weird. Good initial concept. Then goes off the deep end. Old sci-fi so the misses are interesting in hindsight. Very male oriented.
kdawn999's review against another edition
1.0
Heinlein has a talent for picking out the most mundane aspects of a fascinating story and stretching them to fill 400 pages with sickening minutia. Also, this is one of the most sexist books I've ever managed to finish. His attempt at female characters in this (and in the other two books of his I've read) is a joke.