A Stranger in a Strange Land is a science fiction novel by Robert A. Heinlein, published in 1961. The story follows the character of Valentine Michael Smith, a human who was born on Mars and raised by Martians. When he returns to Earth, he must navigate a society that is alien to him and confront the challenges of living as a “stranger in a strange land.” The novel explores themes of individualism, freedom, and the nature of humanity. It is considered a classic of the science fiction genre and has influenced many other works of fiction.