Robert A. Heinlein’s Stranger in a Strange Land
Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World
Both great suggestions. I used to be the worlds biggest Heinlein fan, but that’s abated a little bit since I realized that he wasn’t kidding with some of is characters. He really wanted to be Jubal Harshaw. Or Lazarus Long. Or Lib. Or a chick. You know what I mean.
But I’m still a fan at heart, in that his writing – whatever he meant by it – inspired me as a kid. And Stranger In A Strange Land is a complete classic. It’s one of those books you just must read because so much sci-fi (and pop culture) originates there. Even Cliff from Cheers quotes it!
And Brave New World is a classic, too – and not just because it spawned one of my favorite A-list B-movies of all time: Demolition Man. Actually I read this when I was working a really crappy job, and it helped me stay sane by giving me a lot to think about.
Nice job with the suggestions!
Huh. Maybe there should be a thread for quotes, and where they come from. Buckaroo Banzai, eg, should be a good starting point.
And SiaSL. And Halo. And Marthon. “They’re everwhere!”
OK, but you get my drift…
I’ve read both of them, but it’s been a while. Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t “Stranger in a Strange Land” referenced in Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire”?. I do remember a bit about having living grass for carpet.
Also one of my favorite movies
I would support either of these books. Both truly excellent.
Chuck, did you read the original version, or the more recent re-release?
In 1991 (I think) the so-called “original uncut edition” came out. Supposedly, there were relatively large portions of the book that the publisher demanded Heinlein cut out for one reason or another. I personally have only read this version, but I understand that it gives the book a somewhat different tone from the original.
I actually read both. I had a paperback version when I was a kid, which represented the cut version. I picked up the “uncut” version in college when it came out (in hardcover), and read it, too.
I think the publisher is probably working the angles a bit when it comes to the cuts. The vast majority of them came from length, not content. If I remember correctly, the uncut version is north of 150,000 words.
Since I haven’t read the “cut” version recently (read: in the last 15 years), I can’t remember the specifics. But I remember one scene was cut for content purposes – though even the original version contained all the incest and cannibalism that pissed everyone off so much. I remember enjoying the “uncut” version, but not being as shocked by it as I imagined I would.
Note: For the Stranger virgins out there, the incest and cannibalism is, in classic Heinlein fashion, not what it seems. I never really got why it upset people so badly.
Wait, there are “fast food wars” in “Brave New World?” 
C’mon, Armando. ALL restaurants are Taco Bell now.
I can name that movie with one slight reference! Rhymes with Kremlinition Stan.
The sad thing is, that’s ALL I remember from that movie.
When I first saw this, I wanted badly to hate it. But I just can’t. It’s way too much fun. Quotes from this one make it into conversation around the house and office regularly – or at least bastardizations of 'em. For example:
[ul]
[li]From Sean as he looks futilely for the plug on the back of a computer: “C’mon, HAL, where’s the g** d*** plug?”[/li][li]From Audra after I inadvertently drop an f-bomb on the podcast: “Chuck Cage, you’ve been fined one credit for a violation of the verbal morality statute.” (I edited it out, BTW.)[/li][]From me, just after hearing the word bulls** censored on BSG: “I’m sorry to say that the world’s become a p***y-whipped, Brady Bunch version of itself run by a bunch of robed sissies.”[/ul]The list goes on and on. And what Halo fan could pass on a movie where the main character’s name is John Spartan?
[/li]
Audra, you was robbed!
(Or is it robed? The one where you’re not wearing a robe is the one I mean.)
Well since you mention “We Didn’t Start the Fire?” and it’s online now…with pictures by someone who has way more time than is good for them:
http://yeli.us/Flash/Fire.html
Yes, Stranger in a Strange Land is in there…along with about a half century of history!