The Martian Chronicles

I first read this book in high school. I think it was my second adult science fiction novel, after "2001: A Space Odyssey". I couldn't believe how good it was. It fit into the paranoid apocalyptic vision I had of the world, that is, leaving Earth for Mars because of the possibility of atomic war. I read it again about fifteen or so years ago. I had a better appreciation for science fiction at that point, but still hadn't read any other Bradbury. Again, I found it a brilliant collection of short stories, creating a depressing vision of the future. Now, I've read it again, this time as an ancillary book for book club, sort of an ad hoc selection of a few people online looking to read something while our original April selection is postponed until the pandemic is over. For a third time, I loved it. I have read some Bradbury since, mostly short stories. I love his short stories. I think that's where Bradbury really excels. And to have a collection of short stories woven into a pseudo-novel is Bradbury at his best.

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