The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury- 4 stars

[Jen K]

Starting with first contact as a spaceship approaches Mars in the US/ the Earth's first attempt to reach Mars, the stories are loosely connected and chronological history of life on Mars. At first the indigenous Martians are not that impressed with the newcomers from Earth and their aggressive colonist attitudes. Eventually colonies are founded and allowing humans a regular life on Mars and for some, perhaps an even better life, but they will also always be tied the events on Earth.

Published in 1950, Bradbury perfectly writes the traditional family found also in his Green Town books with the father who works, the mother who bakes gingerbread in a world preparing for possible nuclear war and communism at the fringe. Bradbury incorporates these traditions in his settlement on Mars but is also so forward thinking in using Mars to reflect on injustices on Earth. In one story the astronauts are thwarted by a husband's need to control his wife. Another recognizes the parallels between first explorers ignoring any life on Mars before they arrived, renaming parts of Mars for themselves and disrespecting the legacy of the Martians with the arrival of the first Europeans in the US in regards to the indigenous populations. Bradbury takes on Jim Crow life of desegregation and systemic racism. My favorite is the hubris of the astronauts landing on Mars and wanting nothing but to be celebrated. They didn't need to learn anything from the people they found because they already knew it. They only wanted to be recognized for how amazing they thought they were. These men were so recognizable as men I know.

It is easy to see why Bradbury is a favorite and loved by so many. He writes the the complexity of people and their relationships so well. Some stories were not as great as others but overall, it is a strong collection.

[Holly R W]

I enjoyed your review, Jen! I'm not a Sci-Fi reader and have not read Bradbury, but these stories of his sound well-worth reading. It's interesting that the stories reflect both his experience in 1950 America and his own critique of it (transposed into the future on Mars).

I am now reading Louise Erdrich's book, The Sentence. It's set in the current time. There are parallels between your book and mine, in that she writes about how her Native American characters feel about how they were/are treated by the dominant culture.

[Jen K]

I really need to get to The Sentence soon.

I would be really interested to hear what you think if you decide to read The Martian Chronicles. It is very Sci-Fi light. It is mostly about people and relationships and ranges from humor to highlighting social issues. It is slightly dated in its language at parts but overall a thoughtful read.

[Book Concierge]

I first read this when I was in 7th or 8th grade. I re-read it a couple of years ago. I'm a big Ray Bradbury fan!

[Jen K]

Book Concierge wrote: "I first read this when I was in 7th or 8th grade. I re-read it a couple of years ago. I'm a big Ray Bradbury fan!"

Me too!!!