Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein vs. Dune

[Sammy Sands]

One of the best aspects of Dune is its ability to hold up over the
years. Even the original novel, which started it all. If you picked it up
and started reading it, I doubt you would guess it was written in the 60's.
The prose and characters read like a modern novel.

I recently was given a copy of Robert A. Heinlein's "Stranger in a
Strange Land" which is referred to on the cover as "The most famous science
fiction novel ever written". Leaving the hype alone, I was surprised about
the dichotomy between the two novels. I have heard a lot about SIASL and
knew that it was important. I'm about 2/3's of the way through it and I
think it is good and very interesting. However, the language and characters
seem dated. Actually, when I visualize the action and characters, it is more
cartoonish than fully fleshed out.

I was just wondering if others had a similar experience.

--
Sammy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wild_monkshood/

[Stoned in Arrakeen]

Absolutely. I regard "Stranger in a Strange Land", and most of his
other novels as well as being an interesting historical potboiler,
like the works of, say, Jules Verne or Isaac Asimov. Those guys have
been superseded. "Dune" is eternal.

[Raveem]

Seconded. I know people who would never read speculative fiction and are highly qualified in the humanities to stay constant to Dune's enduring superiority.

Raveem.

[Dr Raveem Ismail]

I'm now also about 2/3 of the way through SIASL. Whilst there is the odd item of lukewarm interest, I can't see what all the fuss and hype are about.

The only other of his books I've ever read is Starship Troopers. Definitely can see why it is applauded. And as for the superbly ironic Verhoeven movie of the same name...

Raveem.

[abar...@gmail.com]

Not only do I disagree, but it's worth noting that Herbert, himself, included a reference to Stranger in a Strange Land IN Dune.

Here's the quote from Dune: http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/494433-i-have-been-a-stranger-in-a-strange-land-halleck

If you believe that to be ONLY a reference to the passage in Exodus, I don't think you get Dune, yet.

Keep reading Stranger. It's a denser work - not as narratively interesting as Dune, but more philosophically rich.