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hannahoude's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mchester24's review against another edition
3.0
I hadn't read any Bradbury since reading Fahrenheit 451 in high school, so I was eager to pick up another science fiction story from him. I'm not sure exactly what I was expecting, but it wasn't this (not saying that as a good or a bad thing, specifically).
The Martian Chronicles reads as a series of interrelated short stories, as if Bradbury had a whole bunch of different thoughts about what life on Mars could be like, what Martians might be like, and what Earth and Earthlings might look like and decided to string them together (which does fit with the idea of 'chronicles'). While this made for a unique reading experience where Bradbury could jump around to different ideas and mini-stories in an untethered manner-- which allowed for some very brief but incredibly interesting vignettes-- but it also made the book as a whole lack a strong narrative and compelling story.
I'm sure a lot of this read differently when the book came out in 1950 when it was more of a groundbreaking exploration into what alien life might look like, but that also created some interesting topics to read about for a modern reader. Bradbury in not-so-subtle fashion uses Earth rockets landing on Mars as a metaphor for how Europeans diminished and decimated various native populations, perhaps suggesting that humans have not and will not learn not to be self-centered and would do the same again if given the chance. "We Earth Men have a talent for ruining big, beautiful things."
Some other themes woven through out the various stories include how to make the most of life by only focusing on living, the beauty in integrating art into everyday parts of life and culture, the relativity in the passing of time, what would religion look like on alien planets with alien life, the inevitability of war among humans Bradbury is so pessimistic about, how hard it is to deal with loss, and much more. This book comes 3 years before Fahrenheit 451, but you can also see the seeds of that narrative making its way in in talking about book burning and the erosion of knowledge.
In the end, Bradbury paints a bleak desolate picture of being all alone on Mars that is pretty haunting-- but it leaves the reader with a poignant reminder of how beautifully Bradbury can paint a world.
The Martian Chronicles reads as a series of interrelated short stories, as if Bradbury had a whole bunch of different thoughts about what life on Mars could be like, what Martians might be like, and what Earth and Earthlings might look like and decided to string them together (which does fit with the idea of 'chronicles'). While this made for a unique reading experience where Bradbury could jump around to different ideas and mini-stories in an untethered manner-- which allowed for some very brief but incredibly interesting vignettes-- but it also made the book as a whole lack a strong narrative and compelling story.
I'm sure a lot of this read differently when the book came out in 1950 when it was more of a groundbreaking exploration into what alien life might look like, but that also created some interesting topics to read about for a modern reader. Bradbury in not-so-subtle fashion uses Earth rockets landing on Mars as a metaphor for how Europeans diminished and decimated various native populations, perhaps suggesting that humans have not and will not learn not to be self-centered and would do the same again if given the chance. "We Earth Men have a talent for ruining big, beautiful things."
Some other themes woven through out the various stories include how to make the most of life by only focusing on living, the beauty in integrating art into everyday parts of life and culture, the relativity in the passing of time, what would religion look like on alien planets with alien life, the inevitability of war among humans Bradbury is so pessimistic about, how hard it is to deal with loss, and much more. This book comes 3 years before Fahrenheit 451, but you can also see the seeds of that narrative making its way in in talking about book burning and the erosion of knowledge.
In the end, Bradbury paints a bleak desolate picture of being all alone on Mars that is pretty haunting-- but it leaves the reader with a poignant reminder of how beautifully Bradbury can paint a world.
groota's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
itsturtletime's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mcloonejack's review against another edition
3.0
Three stars feels a little harsh, it’s probably more of a 3.5. Part of my issue with this book is I’m rarely a big fan of books that are a series of sort of interconnected vignettes. This book in particular would’ve been served better to have included vignettes in the way a book that inspired it, The Grapes of Wrath, did, by having them interspersed between one longer narratives.
All that said, some of the individual stories are absolutely stunning. Usher II, —And the Moon Be Still As Bright, Way In The Middle Of The Air, The Martian and There Will Come Soft Rains. Where this book shines brightest is when it deals with humanity’s reaction to Mars not being the panacea they expected.
There’s a lot of cool stuff in here, I just overall wish it was more cohesive as opposed to a “fix-up” novel. It would have particularly helped sustain the atmosphere Bradbury was looking to convey.
Caveat to my overall views of this book: this was another bad selection for a book I primarily read on mass transit.
All that said, some of the individual stories are absolutely stunning. Usher II, —And the Moon Be Still As Bright, Way In The Middle Of The Air, The Martian and There Will Come Soft Rains. Where this book shines brightest is when it deals with humanity’s reaction to Mars not being the panacea they expected.
There’s a lot of cool stuff in here, I just overall wish it was more cohesive as opposed to a “fix-up” novel. It would have particularly helped sustain the atmosphere Bradbury was looking to convey.
Caveat to my overall views of this book: this was another bad selection for a book I primarily read on mass transit.
jollyjord's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0
errski's review against another edition
3.0
This book contains short stories, and some are better than others. My favorites were "The Earth Men" and "There Will Come Soft Rains". And I also liked "The Martian" and "The Silent Towns" (it was a little funny). Overall a good group of stories, I enjoyed the entire collection. This is not really a book you can skip around with the stories because the they are in chronological order of events and build off each other a little bit, which is important.
offworldcolony's review against another edition
4.0
A poetic parable. A collection of beautifully drawn warnings.
lazwright's review
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5