While this novel may seem a bit dated and misogynistic, even a bit naive in its portrayal of a “perfect” communal society where everyone shares the love and nobody gets jealous, it is still a classic and beautiful in its message. Why can’t we all just love one another and communicate mind-to-mind and discorporate when we’re ready? And when are the Martians going to finally decide to destroy us for good and for all?

I feel I relate to this book completely. It is one of the most important books if you know how to read between the lines. It is a reflection on people and the way we relate. The main character, Valentine Michael Smith is a human, but martian in his social upbringing, lacking any human influences… the nurse who kidnaps/frees him from the governments custody has almost as much alien way of thought from the mainstream mentality in her own way. And the government, well the government in the book does its best to control what we think, as usual. Heinlein creatively takes advantage of the imaginary martian language to create new words to better describe what he wanted to express, and some have become fairly common in modern English conversation. “Grok” is his word for understanding something so completely that you have almost digested and absorbed and become one with the knowledge you possess

I read this in high school. It was great. My co-worker is reading this for the first time and really likes it. I’ll poaching it off him as soon as he’s done. I suddenly have the urge to read it again.

A great book and brings new words to your vocabulary as well as some new thoughts. Very cool… Its on my “Must Read” list for folks wanting to get a better idea of what Science Fiction is all about.

This, and Job, are my favourite Heinlein works

Damn, I love this book! Although it was written decades ago, the plot ideas are just as fresh as they ever were.

I finished this one. A little more sexual than I would’ve predicted. Not bad, but not one of my favorites either.

1/1/1995
Changed my life.

(listening to the audible.com version on mp3)

completed 2003/10/28