Sometimes you just need to escape and read some space stories. And this collection of Bradbury’s finest was quite satisfying.
These are quite old stories, and all are freely available via Project Gutenberg or other sites. I’ll include original publication dates and links in case one or more takes your fancy. Knowing when the tales were published makes each that much more enjoyable (to me, at least). Truly, Bradbury is a genius.
First published in 1947.
This is a wonderfully political take on technological advancements.. It tells the tale of leader on earth who, on the eve of a historic rocket launch expedition, gets cold feet. He feels the weight of the world and knows this next step could pose the end of humanity. But how can you hold back progress when your citizens are clamoring for The Next Big Thing?
5 rotocopters out of 5
2. The Creatures That Time Forgot
First published in 1946.
After crashing on a distant planet, the unfortunate human settlers’ bodies are affected by the strange radiation and planetary conditions in such a way that they grow and live their entire life… in eight days (or a few more, if you’re lucky enough to live in some nearby mineral-infused cliffs). Possible respite from this short and doomed life exists on the last intact crashed vessel; however, overcoming the planet’s harsh environment and reaching the ship in the span of a lifetime seems impossible. Or is it?
4 rock wars out of 5
First published 1948.
A spaceship with a single pilot crashes on a seemingly picturesque planet. Help is on the way, and our pilot only needs to while away six days of leisure before his rescue. That should be pretty simple, right? … Right?!?
3 distracting card games out of 5
4. Defense Mech
First published 1946.
On a mission to Mars, complete with hostile Martians to face, a key member of the crew starts losing his mind. Rather than send the poor man back to the Earth he so desperately craves, the mission’s psychiatrist performs a bit of hypnosis on the hysterical man so that the mission can proceed, with truly unexpected results.
3 popcorn stands out of 5
First published 1944.
The first of two tales of The Morgue Ship, which travels around the solar system collecting cadavers floating in space and returns them home to Earth for burial. Fairly unglamorous and monotonous work, generally speaking. Except when they come upon a big name in the abyss, and set to work trying a revival.
2 bait and switches out of 5
6. Morgue Ship
First published 1944.
This one didn’t make much of an impact on me, honestly. Same ship, different story. I just had a quick flick through again to jog my memory, and I have no recollection…. Not a good sign.
1 metal space claw out of 5
First published 1944.
This one is about a quest to nab a space-faring bad guy, with a twist that the mission is accompanied by a filmmaker. A bit of a tale of the power of propaganda. Bradbury was way ahead of his time!
3 monster projections of out 5
First published 1951.
An old lady, nearing the end of her days, answers an enticing advertisement to embark on a journey into space in the hopes of meeting the Almighty. A little optimistic tale of naivety, and a great mental image.
4 silver-haired nonagenarians out of 5
Overall a bit of a mixed bag, but some real treasures throughout. I thorough enjoyed this sojourn into Bradbury’s imagination. I’ll give it a solid 3/5 overall.
