The Martian Chronicles

The Martian Chronicles was probably never intended to represent the real planet. Bradbury's Mars is a shifting metaphor for "the frontier" or for mystery. This lush prose poem was obviously composed in terms of sound; even the production uses purely aural devices, such as echoing repetition. Peter Marinker demonstrates a clear understanding of the writer's intention, and he has the vocal technique to project it effectively. He makes it easy for the listener to become engulfed in the dreamy, luminous atmosphere that is as much Bradbury's message as the story line. J.N. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Ray Bradbury explains his goals for his collection of stories about settlers on Mars in his introduction: It's a "fable"--with echoes of Sherwood Anderson's WINESBURG, OHIO. Narrator Stephen Hoye brings that fable quality alive with touches of bemusement and irony as he delivers the stories of the humans who want to shape a strange planet and the planet's unique ways of resistance. Rather than making the tales of Mars seem fantastic, Hoye makes them more poignant or eerie by giving them an everyday quality, whether he's telling how Martians fend off the first human invaders or how humans deal with the folly of other humans. Bradbury's parables hold up well today. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

This series of interconnecting short stories about life on Mars is not strictly science fiction but rather a thoughtful and elegant exploration of the human condition that just happens to be set on another planet. Scott Brick takes a slow pace that suits the tales, with their old-fashioned language, full of "goshes" and "gees." But the author's style doesn't detract from the power of his text, and Brick's smooth voice imparts all the drama and solemnity of humans making their way in an alien world. His voice trembles with rage and fear, soothes with velvet tones, and captures the drama of a newsreel announcer when talking about rocket ships. Brick is the perfect narrator to bring these classic stories to new listeners. G.D. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine