Stranger in a Strange Land was a book that tried to do many, many things and almost, but not quite, entirely failed on every level. Admittedly, it introduces some intriguing ideas about society and religion. But does that make it a good book? IMHO, the most important factor in a good book is the plot. If you're looking for excitement, this is the wrong book. Almost half the book is interesting dialogue, mostly with cynic Jubal Harshaw. The other half is bad dialogue, what Harshaw would compare to cotton candy--there is no substance, just pseudo-religious mumbo-jumbo. How many pages are wasted with nonsense about grokking and "Thou are God"? The most exciting thing that happens are people disappearing, and even then no one seems to care much. As for characters, there is no one to really care about. Is the main character supposed to be Smith, even though we never really learn anything about him? Or is it Jill? Or Harshaw? None of the characters are explored deeply enough for anyone to care what happens to them. It seems like Heinlein also tried to throw in political commentary, though it's completely unclear what he was trying to say. Is this Douglas crooked or not? For a classic novel, SIASL seems to be thrown together haphazardly with no concern for plot, character development, setting, or anything essential to a good book, so long as it questions religion and society. Meanwhile, it tells us nothing about our own society or Mars'.

What a disappointment! This book could have been so much better. I started reading it and was soon enthralled with the complex plots within the House Atreides and its many interesting characters. Then, 200 pages into the book, they were all killed off in an exciting climax, leaving the rest of the book to degrade into prophetic mumbo-jumbo. When the entire plot relies on fantastic psychic prophecies that no one can really understand (I doubt even Herbert knew what he was talking about), the story becomes unreadable. I don't know how anyone could read a sequel.

The Amber Spyglass, and the whole trilogy, is a clear attack on organized religion, especially Christianity, and a fantastic book. "Well, he didn't really mean that religion was bad, just that the Catholic Church was sort of corrupt, really," was the response of many. "The book degenerated into preachy, nonsensical mumbo-jumbo." The Amber Spyglass should not be read by anyone with a closed mind, or else much of the story may not seem understandable. The plot is certainly understandable, even if parts seem vague or sloppily thought out. Only Pullman could write a book so good that even with disappointing and sloppy parts, it still deserves five stars. I agree with Pullman's beliefs completely, but many people understandable do not. If you don't wish to have your faith and your God reduced to dust (pun intended), this is not the trilogy for you. Yea Satan! : )