Martian Chronicles

I just finished reading The Martian Chronicles, a short science fiction book from 1950 that tells the story of the colonization of Mars. The book is actually a collection of vignettes that read very much like episodes from the Twilight Zone (if you remember that TV show). Each story is loosely connected to the previous ones, but they could certainly stand alone (and in fact did stand alone since many were originally issued as episodes in science fiction magazines in the late forties and early fifties).

One common theme in the stories is that humans (which, in this case are mostly 1950's Americans) have or are in the process of destroying "our" planet, and so now they are fleeing this troubled and eventually atomically devastated planet. Meanwhile, all the old prejudices, abuses, and perils we had on earth are simply transported to Mars.

The stories are set way in the future (for 1950) with the first one beginning in 1999 and the final episode occurring in 2026. I am thankful that what is written did not occur in the time frame speculated upon by Mr. Bradbury (our present age), but I fear that the consequences of our actions will be the same ones he predicted if and when we do get to Mars.

Bottom line - if you enjoyed the Twilight Zone, or if you enjoy good science fiction with irony and "catch-you-by-surprise" endings, you'll enjoy this book.