Read A Science Fiction Masterpiece - Join Exeter Public Library's Morning Book Group in Reading:
Stranger in a Strange Land
by Robert A. Heinlein
June 17th from 10:00 am -11:30 am
Stranger in a Strange Land, winner of the 1962 Hugo Award, is the story of Valentine
Michael Smith, born during, and the only survivor of, the first manned mission
to Mars. Michael is raised by Martians, and he arrives on Earth as a true
innocent: he has never seen a woman and has no knowledge of Earth's cultures or
religions. But he brings turmoil with him, as he is the legal heir to an
enormous financial empire, not to mention de facto owner of
the planet Mars. With the irascible popular author Jubal Harshaw to protect
him, Michael explores human morality and the meanings of love. He founds his
own church, preaching free love and disseminating the psychic talents taught
him by the Martians. Ultimately, he confronts the fate reserved for all
messiahs.
The impact of Stranger in a
Strange Land was considerable, leading many children of the 60's to
set up households based on Michael's water-brother nests. Stranger in a
Strange Land is one of the master's best entertainments, provocative
as he always loved to be. Can you grok it?
Useful Resources
Library of Congress- Books that Shaped America
U.C. Santa Cruz Robert A. Heinlein Archive
Robert A. Heinlein Archives
The Heinlein Society
Worlds Without End Listing
Sting- Don't Stand Too Close to Me (Inspired by SIASL)
Official Website of the Church of All Worlds (CAWEB)
NYT- Heinlein Gets the Last Word, by Kurt Vonnegut
The Hippie Narrative- The Ecstasy of Grokking
TOR: Smug Messiah
Science Fiction and Scripture
Jubal's Sculptures
Rodin- She Who Was the Helmet-Maker's Beautiful Wife
Rodin- Caryatid Who Has Fallen under Her Stone
Edvard Eriksen- The Little Mermaid
