In Stranger in a Strange Land Heinlein frankly discusses issues that are always emotionally charged. Since the novel deals without shame or preconceived ideas with American culture's attitudes about religion and sexuality, parents and teachers should be aware that this is not a typical "juvenile" science-fiction novel. In fact, it is one of Heinlein's more mature and provocative works, suitable for young adults who are able to appreciate social structures and institutions as well as question them.

Stranger in a Strange Land quickly earned a reputation far outside the boundaries of science fiction. It became associated with the youth movement of the 1960s and was considered an element of the ideology of rebellion against authority and traditional ideas.

Valentine Michael Smith, after examining the habits and values of humans, decides that they are hypocritical and that sexuality is an expression of love that should be essentially...