A Martian Odyssey

Rating:
Summary: Exceptionally well-done piece of work!
Review: First of all, this is not a "book", it is a book-on-tape. And second, this book won the MARK TIME GOLD AWARD presented by the Firesign Theatre for "The Best Science Fiction of the Year".Remarkable how these facts are deemed unimportant by some otherwise professional reviewers and how this and other superlative work gets overshadowed by tongue-in-cheek celebrity fodder the Alien Voices people rush to market and the public eats like pablum because of familiarity with the voicesand pictures of the people doing them. This version is true Science Fiction presented in professional style and acted with clarity, reverence to material and with believability befitting works of this stature and beauty.This is a true gem worthy of notice and deserving a stronger look than others of its ilk.From the first minute on it pulls you in and makes you care about Jarvis and his treacherous journey across Martian soil to try to reunite with his crew back on the ship. His encounters with the alien life there make you feel as though you were truly on the journey with him, and Tweel (voiced by a human, I think) becomes a link to the powerful force of adaptability we all possess as human beings in Jarvis. The music gently guides, rather than assault us throughout the story, but also audibly reminds us of the terror inherent on this planet when need arises.From beginning to end, this piece mesmerizes and enchants without resorting to maudlin overexplanation of a character's action. Hats off to Star Quest and their cast, and I look forward to your next venture! Thank You!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Collection
Review: Stanley Weinbaum didn't write very many stories before his literary career was cut short by cancer; those he did write were amazing though. He was able to stretch your imagination with fantastic but believable aliens and bizarre societies. One of my favorite characters is "Tweel," a strange but loveable alien who travels by leaping high in the air and landing on his nose. There are many other totally strange characters throughout the collection of short stories as well. He does a great job of making the adventurers humorous and mind-expanding at the same time.