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Book Review By Melody Crookes
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein

Michael Smith is he only survivor of the first manned mission to Mars - and yet, he is a native-born Martian. In fact, he is the son of two of the crew, and when all the crew died, Michael was reared by the Martian race - super-intelligent and humane, but utterly alien. No further missions to Mars were attempted for many years.

The story begins with the return of the now-adult Michael to earth - physically a human being, but culturally, emotionally and mentally an alien.

Michael's view of Earth society (this novel is the source of the verb 'to grok') makes the reader look again at all the things usually taken for granted.



Plot & Themes
Tone of book - very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
What is main char. doing? - rescue mission/escape from confinement
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Cultural problems, alien culture Yes
Culture clash- - one person from different culture of other persons
Descript. of chases or violence - 0 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40 %

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Age: - 20's-30's
Really unusual traits?

Setting
Which planet? - Mars
Takes place on Earth? Yes
Not Earth, in Solar System? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
Sex in book? Yes
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
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