Rating: 
Summary: Things we never have time to think about... but should
Review: The most important and startling (in a good way) thing about "The Martian Chronicles" is that Bradbury hasn't written a science fiction book. He has written a book about the human society. If you try to look at it as a science fiction book, you'll be greatly disappointed; I must say I cannot agree with the reviewers who say that he has depicted life on Mars (the details about it) in a vivid and fascinating way. Actually, the complete unlikeliness of a world like that makes the book a bit strange to read at times.What makes this book so beautiful is the simple fact Bradbury doesn't write for the sake of writing. He writes because he has important things to say about the human way of life. Humans destroy everything noble and great around them; if that could bring money, they'd sell hot dogs at temples (in fact, don't they?). It is almost incomprehendible that he wrote this book in 1950; the problems discussed in it have reached and are reaching increasingly more epic proportions. Aside from the fact that Bradbury is brilliant at expressing important ideas, he writes stories that make you want to read on and on at the same time. He uses inventive storylines and has a fascinating way of describing things that seem illogical or even completely absurd at the first glance (I'd provide details, but I refuse to spoil the wonderful experience of reading the stories for anyone...). The only reason why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that among great (and I mean great!) stories there are some short ones that are of considerably lower quality than the rest. They're much less interesting than the others and keep me from pronouncing this book a masterpiece - a title that a considerable part of the book justly deserves. All in all, I urge you to read this book. Perhaps you will not find much in it if you're looking for some credible science fiction, but you will find much to think about there - as well as simply a close-to-incredible read.
Rating: 
Summary: A Masterpiece
Review: The Martian Chronicles is, in many ways, one of science fiction's most important novels. It's deemed an essential read on almost all notable lists, is the book that broke Bradbury into the mainstream, and was the single most widely read SF book during the 1950's. This book is not a novel per se, but rather a collection of separately linked stories that chronicle, in about as many ways as you can imagine, Man's experiences with Mars, hence the title. Though it covers a span of time from 1999-2026, it is, like all great SF, a commentary on the times in which it was written, rather than the times it is set in. This book is a startling example of human folly. In contrast to much science fiction (from The War of the Worlds onward) the Martians in Bradbury's universe are calm, peaceful, and dreamlike (for the most part, anyway) rather than vicious and malicious. This book shows how humans-arrogant, self-righteous, and irrespectful-can and probably will ruin a beautiful, peaceful planet through ignorance and lack of respect. Also in the book are situations depicting ways in which other races we meet in space may react to us. I found these situations to be highly original and imaginative, sometimes we fail to realize that there are other ways for them to react besides peaceful, cooperative tranquility and war. Sprinkled throughout the seriousness of the stories mentioned above, are lighter, somewhat comical tales that liven up the pace a bit. Through fictional situations, this book also manages to comment on such issues as racism, slavery, social life, marriage, etc. A highly interesting read. Though it is a short read (less than 200 pages) it feels like an epic. By the time you are done with the book, you will feel like you have witnessed a saga, a great work of art, a feeling that few books indeed, much less ones this short, manage to accomplish. The last two stories in the book are startling in their differences. There Will Come Soft Rains is an utterly believable, highly pessimistic, and ultimately thought-provoking piece of work followed by The Million Year Picnic, a contrastly optimistic, hopeful story. These two situations are beautiful in their contrast and a fitting ending to a wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, Thought-Provoking, and a Bit Spooky
Review: Regardless of what other reviewers have written, I believe this book to be a haunting work of art. Bradbury manages, through dozens of short vignettes, to tell the story of how mankind came to inhabit the Martian landscape. The idea that Bradbury imparted his own social agenda on this book is claptrap: He wrote with the beauty and elegance that is exclusive to him, and wove together a story from many different threads. He tells of the first voyages to Mars - and their subsequent failures - to the extinction of the Martian people. While the book's premise - and even summary - comes across as nothing more than formulaic science fiction, Bradbury manages to stretch it to much more than that. This book is evenly paced and well-written. It is imperative that one recognises that this book is meant to transcend the circumstance at hand: Bradbury arguably wrote this book to represent the tie that mankind to Earth, rather than to just express the ventures of humanity to the stars. Contrary to what many reviewers seem to have said, I don't see this book as being misanthropic or critical of humanity. Rather, it seems that Bradbury portrays humanity positively: He shows that mankind is always striving for something more, to go farther, to be better, faster, stronger, and more attune to their surroundings. And, he also shows how no matter things may change for mankind, we have a primative, yearning nature to return to the place that bore us: The Earth. Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite books of all-time. I still find it to be crafted in a way which rings true of the Golden age of science fiction: It doesn't get bogged down in misanthropy or cynicism. Rather, it finds the silver lining - a sort of resounding feeling of hope eminates from this book. Wholeheartedly, I applaud not only the story, but Bradbury's magnificant ability to tell a story, an ability which seems to have been lost in most contemporary writing.
Rating:
Summary: Things we never have time to think about... but should
Review: The most important and startling (in a good way) thing about "The Martian Chronicles" is that Bradbury hasn't written a science fiction book. He has written a book about the human society. If you try to look at it as a science fiction book, you'll be greatly disappointed; I must say I cannot agree with the reviewers who say that he has depicted life on Mars (the details about it) in a vivid and fascinating way. Actually, the complete unlikeliness of a world like that makes the book a bit strange to read at times. What makes this book so beautiful is the simple fact Bradbury doesn't write for the sake of writing. He writes because he has important things to say about the human way of life. Humans destroy everything noble and great around them; if that could bring money, they'd sell hot dogs at temples (in fact, don't they?). It is almost incomprehendible that he wrote this book in 1950; the problems discussed in it have reached and are reaching increasingly more epic proportions. Aside from the fact that Bradbury is brilliant at expressing important ideas, he writes stories that make you want to read on and on at the same time. He uses inventive storylines and has a fascinating way of describing things that seem illogical or even completely absurd at the first glance (I'd provide details, but I refuse to spoil the wonderful experience of reading the stories for anyone...). The only reason why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that among great (and I mean great!) stories there are some short ones that are of considerably lower quality than the rest. They're much less interesting than the others and keep me from pronouncing this book a masterpiece - a title that a considerable part of the book justly deserves. All in all, I urge you to read this book. Perhaps you will not find much in it if you're looking for some credible science fiction, but you will find much to think about there - as well as simply a close-to-incredible read.
Rating:
Summary: Dated sci-fi/Classic as a human story...
Review: This is one of the most fascinating explorations of man-alien contact, and even man-man contact, ever, if a bit dated. When reading the Martian Chronicles (or, in my case, listening to the excellently read book on tape), the key is to keep in mind the context of the time in which it was written. In the post-war 1940s, the prospect of nuclear holocaust was all too real. More than 50 years later, the book is far too pessimistic about humanity and its future, while at the same time far too optimistic about the ease of travel to Mars. Regardless, this is not the kind of science fiction that most are used to reading. For starters, it's a very literary book. The language is beautifully crafted; we're not talking pulp fiction here. Also, it's not a book about the rockets, or even Mars, per se. Bradbury spends no time explaining how the rockets are able to easily traverse the millions of miles to and from Earth, for example. It merely uses those conventions to tell incredibly poignant stories about man's paranoia and selfishness. One of the stories echoes the censorship-mad society in Fahrenheit 451, for instance. It just happens to occur on Mars. The end result is somewhat depressing, yet profound. Think of the Martian Chronicles as the opposite of Star Trek's touchy feely Hollywoody SciFi.
Rating:
Summary: Sci-Fi Classic
Review: Ray Bradbury's Martian Chronicles is a story the holds many things true today even if the story itself is not a reality, and probably never will be. Bradbury once again takes a cynic's position to writing as he has in other works (Fahrenheit 451) and includes many of the problems that man faced during his day and that man faces in ours. Bradbury's style of writing is very unique in this book as well, in that rather then focusing on one specific set of characters, he jumps around with different characters all the time. The Book could be considered more a interconnected collection of short stories as opposed to a novel. The short stories in the book are all well written each including their own set of characters. Some chapters do include some of the same characters, giving it the feeling that one part of the novel was connected to another. I especially enjoyed the chapter titled "Usher II". In this chapter a man is fighting the system that he will no longer be a part of. In this chapter Bradbury does a few interesting things. First, it seems that he connects this book to his one of his other books, Fahrenheit 451 from the quote, " 'Of course.' Stendahl snorted delicately, a combination of dismay and contempt. 'How could I expect you to know blessed Mr. Poe? He died long ago, before Lincoln. All of his books were burned in the Great Fire. That's thirty years ago-1975.'" (Page 134). I have read Fahrenheit 451 and immediately picked up the connection, whether intentional or not by Bradbury I do not know, but it interested me that he connected his books together. If you have not read Fahrenheit 451 I suggest you do as it is another of Bradbury's great contributions to literature. Bradbury also pokes a little bit of fun a fellow author, Ernest Hemingway, in this chapter. In another quote by Stendahl, "Just as you put a stake through the heart of Halloween and told your film producers that if they made anything at all they would have to make and remake Ernest Hemingway. My God, how many times have I seen For Whom the Bell Tolls done! Thirty different versions. All realistic. Oh, Realism! Oh, here, oh, now. Oh Hell!" (Page 137). In this chapter Bradbury also depicts the stupidity humans. It yet another quote by Stendahl (can you tell he's my favorite character yet?) "Garrett?" called Stendahl softly. Garrett silenced himself. "Garrett," said Stendahl, "do you know why I've done this to you? Because you burned 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." (Page 147). Of course, this is just a small hint at what the entire book has to offer. The entire book is full of points and questions that make you wonder about this world. There was nothing I did not like about this book, I sped through it faster then any book I had ever read before, I recommend everyone read it.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book.... but AVOID THIS VERSION
Review: I feel that "The Martian Chronicles" is one of the best and most creative works of Science Fiction of all time, but I would recommend buying another copy of it. There was one chapter in the original work that was taken out of this version. Apparently the editors felt its racial themes were too strong, although I feel it was, in reality, speaking out against the racism of the 1950's. Its ironic how Bradbury has always been so outspoken in his writing against censorship of books, and yet his own book was censored.
Rating:
Summary: The greatest collection of stories you'll ever read.
Review: This collection of short stories compiled into a single-volume novel is the greatest collection of stories you'll ever read. Bradbury writes with stunning conviction, relating the process by which the human machine will explore, inhabit, and assimilate the planet Mars. Limitless imagination and socially relevant themes ripped from the the times include widespread fear of the atomic bomb, communism, etc. Brilliant work that was and still is years ahead of its time. Indeed, NASA's first course of action upon successfully landing rovers on Mars was to name the landing sites. But did they already have names?
Rating:
Summary: Sci-Fi With a Human Touch
Review: Regardless of Bradbury's genre, the essence of his prose is very human. In The Martian Chronicles he manages to deliver that ever bitter/sweet feeling of nostalgia. From Springfield, Illinois in his coming of age novel, Dandelion Wine, to a front porch on Mars, Bradbury always touches the human heart. This is why this novel is great; whether on a distant planet or not, you will be moved.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular
Review: I was originally inspired to read Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles mainly because of the critical acclaim and praise my father said it has received; it isn't very often a science fiction novel is accepted and enjoyed so widely. The most unsettling thing about this novel (or, this collection of short stories) is the fact that there are not any characters or events which Bradbury centers upon. The first chapter, "Ylla," grabs the readers attention very well, though I found myself a bit disappointed when the characters of that chapter did not return. As a whole, however, the overall message and talent bound within the pages of The Martian Chronicles is too important to miss due to something as insignificant as characters. The vast majority of novels out there contain central characters, and many of those very same novels are character-driven. That said, The Martian Chronicles is completely plot-driven. This makes the book not only extremely refreshing, but one need not go through the utter pain of seeing one's favorite character die, because it is very unlikely you would have a favorite character!
My personal favorite features of The Martian Chronicles were the chapters "Usher II," "There Will Come Soft Rains," and "The Green Morning." As is with most Bradbury works, according to my father, the author tips his hat to his favorite authors with excerpts from poems, songs, and even the fabulous parallel to Edgar Allen Poe's The Cask of Amontillado in "Usher II." Bradbury's use of language and description of fantastic settings and creatures was impressive, to say the least. The descriptions of the Martian race were so intricate and unique each time that one could certainly picture the fictitious peoples, as well as their "chemical baths" and "sand ships," the levitating pirate ships with sails of blue mist. The wonderful aspect of science fiction is the new and refreshing imagery introduced, and Bradbury used this to his advantage.
In a nutshell, The Martian Chronicles is not only thought-provoking, but a real fun book to read. The reading level is good for any high school student, and is neither slow nor complicated in the beginning or abrupt at the end.
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