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Stranger in a Strange Land

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Stranger in a Strange Land

By: Robert A. Heinlein
Narrated by: Martin McDougall
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About this listen

 Epic, entertaining, blasphemous, this is the most influential and controversial of Science Fiction novels. Stranger in a Strange Land caused uproar when it was first published as it savaged conventional religious, sexual and social ideals.

Many years in the future, Valentine Michael Smith's upbringing is exceptional. Orphan child to two astronauts killed in space, he is raised on Mars.

Twenty-five years later he is "rescued" and brought back to Earth.

The initial enthusiasm of the administration in Smith's safe return is soon dampened by the realisation that they cannot control him. Possessed with superhuman skills and a unique philosophy he threatens their society - Smith must be contained.

Then a nurse helps him escape his hospital jail.

Their flight becomes a journey of discovery, enlightenment and wonder. But danger is following fast behind, and there will be no escape from the final confrontation.

'The best of his many books and the best in the genre'
Washington Post on Stranger in a Strange Land

(P)2012 Hodder & Stoughton©1961 Robert A. Heinlein Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Science Fiction Space Exploration

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Critic reviews

'The best of his many books and the best in the genre.' Washington Post on Stranger in a Strange Land
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This is not a particularly well-written book, but it has achieved an iconic status for its ability to make people think. It is pretty damn long and some passages are excruciatingly expository, but if you're into anything "New Age" or consider yourself an alternative thinker, you'll enjoy it.
The big downside is Martin McDougall's narrative performance, which is, quite frankly, one of the worst readings I've ever heard. He has roughly the vocal range of an early-career Arnold Schwarzenegger and will pause in mid-sentence for roughly twice as long as you normally would for the end of one before continuing, which gives a very disjointed and sometimes confusing experience for the listener. Can't believe this guy can make a living doing this job.

Mixed bag

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I remember reading this as a student and 'grokking' becoming part of our jargon. I should have left it there. It is not great writing and it is very much of its time. I thought I'd give it a try as it was on a BOGOF offer but I gave up and didn't get more than a sixth of the way through. It would be interesting as a piece of social history but I can't recommend it as a book.

There is no blame to the reader; he did very well with it.

Dated

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A superb and imaginative take on the social, political and legal ramifications of colonisation propelled by a narrow cultural perspective

equal to its fame as a defining novel

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A good idea with a good opening and closing.. However the middle was quite hard to get through. An easier listen at 2x speed.

Bit of a slog

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Enjoyable story but the volume is all over the place, half whisper and half shouting.

Enjoyable story, poor narrator.

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