The Martian ChroniclesThe Martian Chronicles
Score Classic
What it's about
Linked stories tell how humans reach and colonize Mars over three decades. The first expeditions meet ancient, telepathic Martians, with disastrous results for both sides. The settlers bring their towns, hot dog stands and prejudices. Then war on Earth calls them home, and the few who are left begin to become Martians themselves.
Why it's worth reading
It's on Le Monde's list of the books of the century. It's poetic and sad rather than scientific, a classic about colonization and what humans carry with them.
You'll love it if you liked
Foundation
The Left Hand of Darkness
The Lord of the RingsGood to know
The science is fanciful and the dates have passed; read it as a fable. One story deals with Black Americans leaving the South and reflects its era.
By the numbers
- Readers72 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller47 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #100 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #319 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1031 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Thought-provoking
More by Ray Bradbury
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Ender's Game
Dune
Hyperion
The Dispossessed
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Quick answers
Is The Martian Chronicles worth reading?
Yes. It's on Le Monde's list of the books of the century. It ranks #1,031 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 72.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Martian Chronicles about?
Linked stories tell how humans reach and colonize Mars over three decades. The first expeditions meet ancient, telepathic Martians, with disastrous results for both sides. The settlers bring their towns, hot dog stands and prejudices. Then war on Earth calls them home, and the few who are left begin to become Martians themselves.
How long does it take to read The Martian Chronicles?
About 5 hours (182 pages), or about 10 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Martian Chronicles?
If you liked it, try Foundation by Isaac Asimov, The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin or The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.