The Martian Chronicles [MARTIAN CHRON] [Mass Market Paperback]

by RayBradbury

The Martian Chronicles <> Mass Market Paperback <> RayBradbury <> Simon&Schuster

Genres: Fiction

Mass Market Paperback

Published April 30, 2012

Reviews

[E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have nothing but admiration for Ray Bradbury. It took a while to see where this book was going, but the payoff was worth it in the end. Basically, the title is a precise and exact description of the book. There is no central figure or protagonist, instead, a series of characters who each come and go each leaving a unique fingerprint on the narrative. I found it very different from Bradbury's other works; the philosophy and social commentary is subtler (just a bit), the descriptions less figurative (just a bit). But still very much Bradbury's incisive critique of late 20th century worries and priorities.

[Janet Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science fiction has always been one of my favorite genres. This book proves that case. In 1950, Ray Bradbury published a book that I missed reading ... until now.
The Martian Chronicles consists of 27 loosely connected tales covering (coincidentally or not) the 27 years it took Earthlings to destroy not only the Earth but Mars as well.
What makes this particular edition even more special is the essay that Bradbury wrote. Unfortunately for others, it only appeared in more recent publications
"How I Write The Martian Chronicles" opened my eyes further as to just how enlightening this book truly is. In the essay, Bradbury points out that "Mars would be nothing more nor less than a mirror in which Earth Man would be reflected."
The most startling revelation for me (who was a child during the McCarthy era Communism witch hunt) is what Ray Bradbury knew all along. He was safe from this witch hunt because he wrote futuristic fiction. "I am therefore exempted from suspicion." How great for the world that McCarthyism failed to recognize the dangerous truths that science fiction authors contributed to this world.

[Andrea Janov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, how often must we be reminded that human nature goes in cycles, that human nature does not grow as dramatically (if at all) as we like to think. It is just who is in power that seems to fluctuate. This can be looked at as a warning or an allegory or a bit of both of how we never change, how we are doomed to keep repeating ourselves, to how hopeless we really are. Or maybe, just maybe, we can pause, learn, and truly start to grow.

[Rob Genuario · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series of vignettes rolls out a chronological account of an American colonization of Mars. Calling this a collection of short stories feels inaccurate. In his opening essay, Bradbury discusses the idea of using a sci-fi context to write the kind of literature Hemingway or Steinbeck would, closely observed human stories, while using the fantastical backdrop to obfuscate social commentary. The first story, involving a Martian man and wife, bares a close similarity to Steinbeck’s own The Chrysanthemums. The most human stories feature non-human characters: native martians, robots with programmed fates, interplanetary specters, et al. The stories about actually humans are more satirical. Probably purposeful. Good read.

[Patrick Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really a collection of short stories that have a loose narrative to piece them together. Bradbury’s brilliance comes out in so many beautiful ways in this book, and I want to re-read some the chapters over and over. This book is an incredible piece of art that should get the recognition it deserves!

[Mariah Oleszkowicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic Ray Bradbury. Many DEEP THOUGHTS and comments on society. It was weird. I love sci-fi, but this may be too much a blend of sci-fi and fantasy a la Madeleine l'engle...but without the main character through line. Still, his observations of American society were spot on (and still applicable).

" We Earth Men have a talent for ruining big, beautiful things." p71

" They knew how to blend art into their living. It's always been a thing apart for Americans... Well, these martians have art and religion and everything... When I was a kid my folks took me to visit Mexico City. I'll always remember the way my father acted- loud and big. And my mother didn't like the people because they were dark and didn't wash enough... Do you remember what happened to Mexico when Cortez and his very fine good friends arrived from Spain? A whole civilization destroyed by greedy, righteous bigots. History will never forgive Cortez." p84-85

"I have something to fight for and live for; that makes me a better killer. I've got what amounts to a religion, now." p89

" Who are we, anyway? The majority? is that the answer? The majority is always holy, is it not? " p91

"It was happening all along the way...' Them that has helps them that hasn't! And that way they all get free!' " p126

The commentary on book burning deserves a chef's kiss.
"... It was a grain of sand. they began by controlling books of cartoons and then detective books and, of course, films, one way or another, one group or another, political bias, religious prejudice, Union pressures; there's always a minority afraid of something, and a great majority afraid of the dark, afraid of the future, afraid of the past, afraid of the present, afraid of themselves and shadows of themselves...Every Man, they said, must face reality. Must face the here and now! everything that was not so must go." p140

"... Because You burned up Mr. Poe's books without really reading them. You took other people's advice that they needed burning. Otherwise, you'd have realized what I was going to do to you when we came down here a moment ago. Ignorance is fatal, Mr. Garrett." p156

" 'It's like when I was a boy,' said Father Peregrine. ' We Heard about wars in China. But we never believed them. It was too far away. And there were too many people dying. It was impossible. Even when we saw the motion pictures. We didn't believe it.' " P175

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚, 𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚, 𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙢𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙡𝙚.”

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴 is a book about alien invasions, not in the traditional sense but in reverse. It is a compilation of 15 science fiction short stories and 11 vignettes that were initially published as periodicals by the author. The title fits well because it is after all, a chronology of man’s mission to Mars.

The stories are somewhat bizarre and unsettling yet still captivating all the same and evocative enough to keep me transfixed in suspense. Themes of colonization, human destruction and nostalgic entrapment echoes throughout, ringing loud and clear. Along with it are countless loss of lives and the threat of impending annihilation for those on Earth and Mars. It also entertains a false impression of time travel in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘌𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 which I felt was brilliantly written.

This is a modern classic worth reading long after 75 years and the core message remains relatable and relevant to our current times. It is deeply rich in symbolism, philosophical, and almost poetic. 𝘙𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 and 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯-𝘠𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘗𝘪𝘤𝘯𝘪𝘤 are my personal favorites among them. Can’t believe I’ve never read this until now.



Thank you Simon & Schuster, via Saga Press for my 75th Anniversary Edition of this classic masterpiece.

[Mairi Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a long time to read, it's like other Ray Bradbury works, I get really bored in bits but then get whacked in the face with something really profound and interesting. I always find the bits I don't like I hate, but the bits I do like make it all worth it...I think? Really enjoyable book, think I'll have to read again, there's so much good stuff in it. I recommend it, but I enjoy reading his stuff a chapter at a time to not feel it dragging too much.

[jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Martian Chronicles are truly thought provoking; the novel is complex and filled with extremely detailed characters and stories. It has great analogies and touches on social and political topics that are still relevant today. I might believe that he was a genius.

This book is about martians, but it is not about martians at all. I was wonderfully surprised and inspired. I believe this is a fantastic work to be studied in depth.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bradbury is wonderfully imaginative and an insightful social commentator. (Elon Musk needs to take note before he starts to colonize the Red Planet! ) I found the dialogue stilted but this series of short stories about successive efforts to colonize Mars and what happens to the mostly exterminated native Martians is captivating.

[Stephen Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favourites. simple yet spellbinding writing. a view of mankind showing that wherever we go humanity can infect and destroy the purest of surroundings with wanton carelessness and thoughtlessness.

[Casey Cronkright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read much sci-fi. This book is beyond the genre. The themes are easily applied to current times as well as the first American settlers from Europe. People destroy what they don’t understand and claim ownership like they deserve something.

[Margaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a huge science fiction fan but this is outstanding!

[Britton Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

could be a twilight zone episode. Excellent dive into multiple time lines and perspectives through Bradbury's short story style of writing.

[Alexis Kennefic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the critical thinking of human capability and ethics. Great Martian setting

[RN · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the most fun book to have to write notes on in High School.

[Jared Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ray Bradbury had no hope for civil rights when he wrote this

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

La meilleure de me faire vivre une dystopie, c’est de m’emporter dans leur monde au niveau du commun des mortels, une tâche si facilement réalisable pour ce livre

[Ruby M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okkkkk i see youuuuu

[Josiah Mann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perplexing and thoughtful illustrations on population, language, commercialization, and nature. Highly enjoyable, certainly introspective.

[William Mullin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Underrated classic. Should've forced us to read this in school.

[Drew Holdaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting read!

[VCat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Marty Bagwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Ray Bradbury and this book is one of the main reasons why.

[Tyler Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was honestly very surprised with this book. Finished the whole thing on a single train ride. A very completing collection of shorts stories with stories with the common theme of humanity.