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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
slow-paced
thank god this is finally over. zero stars
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Varies in pace from slow to fast. Some portions dragged and some were quite interesting. A very unique take on potential extraterrestrial life, with a very much not anthropomorphic alien race, from physical stature to perception of time and the universe. Funny, interesting characters and enjoyable plot progression. Some outdated attitudes and notions that made it clear this was written like 70 years ago, but otherwise a prescient and familiar take on humanity and its instincts.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Interesting concept and book but I don't think I was a fan overall. Part of it is probably because of the age of the book.. it made some predictions that were pretty accurate- video calls, autonomous vehicles but others weren't quite so accurate. Also the whole premise with humans being able to learn superhuman powers through proper training is just hard to buy into. That said I'm glad I read this and can grok some of the comments people make.
In the best way possible, Stranger in a Strange Land is best described as a farce. The description of "divine comedy" is extremely accurate. I found. Myself giggling frequently at this book, even as it challenged pre conceived human notions on what it means to be moral, civilized, and correct. It as a journey of a book I'd recommend to anyone that will listen!
All classic science fiction is, of course, a product of its time, but the resonance with the present day can often be thought-provoking. This one didn't especially do that for me. Maybe because he was envisioning a future that was still very much a man's world? Or because he was so concerned with adultery and preventing the pain it causes, and I think Western society has just gone in a different direction with that. (That is, Heinlein was envisioning the end of monogamy, whereas instead I think we have largely adopted serial monogamy punctuated by periods of casual dating, making monogamy less onerous?)
In general, I suppose I found it surprisingly dry for a book involving a sex cult.
In general, I suppose I found it surprisingly dry for a book involving a sex cult.
A disappointment. I understand why it caused a stir upon publication, but I don't think it aged well.
Heilein's intent was by turns obvious and opaque. Maybe his quasi-religious/metaphysical themes seemed more original to readers of his day, but even allowing for that - all the other stuff - the paternalistic chauvinism borderline misogyny, the laser focus on sex (he get points for expressing both homophobia AND homoeroticism in one book, though,) the ideas about gender, the Americentrism,) not to mention the dated ideas about science, space, and the future - is distracting from his Big Message.
Even so, my biggest complaint is that the book was simply dull.
Perhaps I just do not grok it fully.
Big Spring, Texas
Libby Ebook - Nashville Library
June
Heilein's intent was by turns obvious and opaque. Maybe his quasi-religious/metaphysical themes seemed more original to readers of his day, but even allowing for that - all the other stuff - the paternalistic chauvinism borderline misogyny, the laser focus on sex (he get points for expressing both homophobia AND homoeroticism in one book, though,) the ideas about gender, the Americentrism,) not to mention the dated ideas about science, space, and the future - is distracting from his Big Message.
Even so, my biggest complaint is that the book was simply dull.
Perhaps I just do not grok it fully.
Big Spring, Texas
Libby Ebook - Nashville Library
June
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
I can see what people like this book... but it's not even that good. It has some interesting things that I've never seen in another book, and there are certainly some interesting characters/decent writing.
But I gave up. It just gets worse and worse, and there isn't really much merit. I listened to more than half, but I don't think I will finish.
But I gave up. It just gets worse and worse, and there isn't really much merit. I listened to more than half, but I don't think I will finish.