Not exactly uplifting, but well-crafted.
Feature image credit: Puncher & Wattman
With human travel to Mars predicted to occur in the next decade, an imagining of what is at stake becomes real. Who will be able to go? Will it only be for scientific purposes? How will one survive the average -80 degrees Celsius temperatures? How does one colonise a barren planet whose air is 95% carbon dioxide? Could a settlement called ElonGate become a reality, or will it remain fiction?
Adelaide-born author Larry Buttrose, whose literary works include fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, tackles some of these questions in his new publication Everyone on Mars. He is a playwright, screenwriter, and journalist, and was the ghostwriter of the Saroo Brierley memoir A Long Way Home, popularised in the screen adaptation Lion. His extensive experience in crafting stories that connect emotionally and engage audiences is evident, so while he does cover some of the science and tech questions listed above, they don’t detract from the intrigue of any of the stories.
The book is not for everyone as it examines the darker parts of human nature. Buttrose delves into themes such as greed, ego, disloyalty, abuse of power, and destruction, along with their associated effects: loneliness, loss, and inconsolable grief. Split into 12 short stories and just over 100 pages in length, the story does well to cover such a wide variety of thematic content. His writing style in this collection is descriptive and fast-paced, with short sentences and a reasonable amount of dialogue.
As the stories are jam-packed, they demand your attention as at times they can be a little abstract. We hear from a writer in residence and a lonely Baroness, are jarred when reading Dark Matter, and catch a glimpse of the impact of social media in Science Fiction.
The latter story was my personal favourite. Although it was not uplifting, it accurately portrayed groupthink, self-entitlement, and the far-reaching consequences of seemingly insignificant actions when numerous people participate in them. The author neatly highlights the process of how these actions can become devastating when everyone jumps on the bandwagon. The story encourages readers to reflect on their behaviour and illustrates how the power of collective influence can be negative.
Reviewed by Rebecca Wu
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Puncher & Wattmann
Released: August 2024
RRP: $29.95
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