Rating: Summary: Strange but So Real Review: The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury is definetely an "out-of-the-ordinary" book. Bradbury breaks all the rules. The book has no plot, no main character, which is a definate twist to any reader. Included are the stories of man and Mars, how we settled it, then mysteriously abandoned it. Each chronicle gives you an insight into one person's journey and Mars. Although hard to follow at times, the book ends with good words of thought. For those of you interested in the "different" type of Sci-Fi.
Rating: Summary: An excellent book Review: This is probably one of the best and most worthwhile books I've ever read. As a fun, exciting space story the book reads very well, but the true beauty of this work lies deeper-- in its examination of the philosophy of the human race. Although this book was written about fifty years ago, the message of it rings as true today as it did when it was first published.
Rating: Summary: Man's Final Conquest Review: The Martian Chronicles is an intriguing collection of stories about the years when Earth men came, settled, and destroyed Mars. Giving a twist to this story is a humanoid race already settled on the red planet that has large golden eyes and dark skin, as well as cities with transportation and a peaceful modern society. But to the average person, the Martian looks like a long lost family member of friend, appearing as the person about whom you are presently thinking. Not only does Mars seem distant, but the Earth as we know it in the year 2000 is not similar to Bradbury's interpretation of how our planet will end up in the 20th century. He displays an atmosphere on Earth where everything must be 'pure' and 'normal,' doing away with imaginative thinking and books with authors such as Edgar Allen Poe. This is why the first settlers th Mars went; they wanted to get away from 'perfection.' But once the land was clear of Martians and the dirty work was done, Earth's tax collectors and purifiers came, and with them minorities. The Martian Chronicles truly displays man's greed and bias, showing that history does repeat itself. I recommend this book to all philosophers and science fiction fans. If you have ever asked yourself 'Why?' or 'What is the point of life?' this book would be good for you, giving an answer from yet an other individual's viewpoint who loves philosophy. I also recommend this book to thinkers because after each short story, I sat for a minute considering what just happened and why it did. One of the best science fiction/philosophical masterpieces of all, The Martian Chronicles is a genuinely fascinating and interesting book.
Rating: Summary: Sci-fi fans should read this classic Review: Well, now I see why it this book is considered a classic. I found it to be tremendous. My only complaint is that is rather short and it was over too quickly. I wanted more! Bradbury just has a neat way of describing things, I found myself constantly amused, yet very interested in where each story would go next. I wouldn't say I loved every story, but most of them are great if not good. "The Third Expedition" is the best short story I have EVER read period. The book would be worth getting just for that one alone. Fortunately, the rest of the book is enjoyable, too!
Rating: Summary: Ok, but not great Review: This book was ok, but not great. I don't know if I was too young to read it (I'm 11) or what, but I just didn't find it all that interesting. Of course, there were some cool parts. I don't want to spoil the book but I will say the chapter Usher II was hilarious but creepy. But some of the chapters were not as great. Like the Million Year Picnic was not good at all. I didn't find it interesting because it had no real signifiance, it was just about a few poeple going to Mars. So I would reccomend this book as an interesting read, but maybe not as the best book I've ever read.
Rating: Summary: Great Book! Review: Martain Chronicles was one of the first Science Fiction books I have read, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The books power lies not in the fact that it is scientifically accurate or plausible, but that it forces its readers to think. As a high school student reading this book for a project I found that it is very easy to write on. It is without a doubt one of the best books I have read in high school and I feel that it is not a book for those who have read little other material. An interest in Poe, and also some knowledge of F451 was very helpful and lends a great deal to the value of the book. I hope that you decide to read this book, because it is a great look at the past through speculating on the future.
Rating: Summary: An amazing foundation for so much more. Review: Ray Bradbury's book The Martian Chronicles is quite a collection. It spans several years and tells of the settling of Mars. Most any reader would admit that the book was fascinating. It seems to delve into the human spirit, and, as we enter a new century, it seems more and more prophetic. I was compelled to change my life when I found out what the silence on the radio meant. I could see his ending happening to us today.Also the novel is the foundation for so many other wonderful Bradbury stories. There exists in The Martian Chronicles a little Farenheight 451. I bit of Something Wicked This Way Comes. This book is a great introduction to the world of Bradbury.
Rating: Summary: interesting Review: This one was kinda scary. Ray Bradbury wrote this book in the forties? fifties? He actually thought technology would have progressed so much in the time since he wrote it that we would already be going to Mars. He figured we would have sent the first mission in 1999. He was way ahead of his time, I can say that much. He was way ahead than we are now. The book was incredibly good, though. I really loved it. When me AG English teacher, Ms. Jodi Williams, said that we were going to read it, I was like, "Oh, boy. Another boring book for English." It was really good, though. I would've never thought it would be so good!
Rating: Summary: Mars 101 Review: Far too often writers are recognized long after a work has been written. In the case of Ray Bradbury, his time came very quickly, and the world paused to see what came next. The Martian Chronicles are a masterpiece of Sci-Fi. Ray has built a world in which you are just happy to spend time, and every page draws you deeper into the rich story line. The human experience and the highly descriptive landscape of the fictional Mars universe could not feel more natural. This story has been, and will be, a model for every Sci-Fi writer to come. No one captured the essence of Mars the way Ray has. A bit violent in parts, it deals with many strong conflicts. One of the best that you can get in the genre.
Rating: Summary: Genocide and Germs Review: Writing from the perspective of the late 1940s, Ray Bradbury imagined Martians who were like a more highly evolved version of us: they drove wheeled vehicles, ate meat, went to motion pictures, played guitar-like instruments . . . but had mental telepathy too. When the first earthlings showed up with their genocide and their germs, the Martians had no trouble concocting fantasty "hometowns" that mimed the Americans' imaginations. . . just enough that the Yanks let their guard down. Ultimately, of course, something had to give. But the real beauty of THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES is its poetry, not its plot. No one can hymn the beauty of a mild Midwestern evening like Bradbury, or conjure up the etheral quality of an alien's mindset. Ultimately this book is a set of Rod Serling-type exercises in paradox, an ode to lost wisdom, a pioneer saga, a cautionary tale to imperial civilizations, and more. If you're looking for something much more in the vein of DANDELION WINE than FAHRENHEIT 451, THE MARTIN CHRONICLES is highly recommended.
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