Contains my favourite weirdly of-its-time sf aesthetic. Typewriters in space! Why not?

Sent for Sci-fi sweepstakes

This just arrived! I think I've read Clark's short stories, but not a full novel. I'm eager to give it a go! Thanks for sharing!

I heartily enjoyed this story! It was first published in 1951, and in addition to the typewriters in space mentioned by clericalkender, there were a number of other interesting concepts where ideas of the future didn't quite line up with our modern images. A personal favorite was when our main character is taking photos and mentions having to take the film back to Earth to be developed. With the prevalence of digital cameras today, it can seem odd that the author assumed that we would be on Mars before creating a new way to take photos. These were the exception rather than the rule, and for the most part, I never would have guessed that this was a 70+ year old story. Clarke's scientific bent keeps it firmly grounded in a way that is expected in modern sci-fi.

Another interesting thought I had was triggered by re-reading The Hobbit at the same time. I wouldn't have looked for a parallel, but I felt like I found one anyway! Both were written by intelligent, well-educated men who have a deep appreciation and enthusiasm for their area of study, and that carries through into their work, engaging a reader into an area they may not have thought much about. There is also a witty, descriptive humor that may not be everyone's cup of tea, but that I personally like. (Of course, a wry take on a somewhat self-insert character is another thing these two works have in common!) I may have to consider recommending The Sands of Mars to Tolkien fans.

Added to the Little Free Library during the Corset Building’s First Friday art night