I Read Therefore I Am discussion

Comment as soon as you like, but please hide any spoilers.

We'll I'm now about half way through this and have discovered that I've forgotten what happens. I don't think I'll be able to leave it now until it's done!

I agree its view of women and it's language is very 1960s but that doesn't really bother me. What I enjoy about this book in particular is Smith although I also love the jubal character. I think Heinlen writes about the alien mind and the difficulties of understanding a wholly different culture very well. The fact that they are rubbing up against each other for the whole story is what makes it so interesting. I can't wait to see how it ends!

Yes the character of Smith is amazing - and I think he's been the inspiration of many other lone aliens visiting earth - like Starman, The Man Who Fell to Earth and even Mork of Mork and Mindy!

My edition tells me that about 25% of this book was edited out when it was first published and only put back in when it was republished after The authors death. There are some silly and irrelevant (to me!) section in the twenties chapters that I would guess were the ones cut. I'd love to get my hands on an original print to see what was left in and what cut.

Yes I read that - the intro in my edition says that the bits that were cut were "too shocking" for the times.

Well finished this this evening at something of a gallop. I have to admit from about Chapter 25 I skimmed somewhat. (view spoiler)[ the scenes of Foster and Digby in Heaven I found irrelevant and silly, they added nothing to the basic story. When the Church is founded and the nest created the constant repetitive kissing and "growing closer" became quite tiresome. In fact the last third to quarter of the book could have been omitted for me. The final chapters where Jubal goes to join the group were good and I liked the denouement. (hide spoiler)]. It certainly is a book of its time. I read it some years ago, enjoyed the majority of it as a re-read but suspect I won't read it again, certainly not in its entirety.

The commentary on women is appalling and a bit distracting at times but I'm really enjoying Smith's perspective on life.

Got to chapter 26 and I'm glad to see the back (albeit temporarily) of Jubal Hackett - a very irritating man - and don't get me started on the rampant sexism - just when I think I'm getting used to it a particularly glaring example comes up to infuriate me.
However, I still want to finish the book because I like the character of Smith and want to know what happens to him.
This book would be a great candidate for a " reimagining" - the central idea and character is fantastic - calling all Authors - stop "updating" books that don't need it and have a go at Stranger in a Strange Land!

That's a really good idea Lee. I d definitely reread a good authors updating of what is a brilliant idea in principle. As I said in my earlier post, I remember thoroughly enjoying it when I first read it and it strikes me that it was probably years ago as I don't remember been irritated by the sexist language in the same way as I was this time.

Have to agree with the sexism. At one point I wanted to give up and throw it in the bin (ref 9 times out of 10 when women are raped they are partly to blame!!!).

However, I agree that I really like the main character and some of his observations on life. It's a brilliant idea to bring this up to date with a rewrite.