Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. It’s Friday again, and it’s time for another review. Today, I’m reviewing Arthur C. Clarke‘s “How We Went to Mars”.

Clarke’s How We Went to Mars is only 11 pages long and was first published in the short-lived fanzine Amateur Science Stories in March 1938.

The Plot
The story follows the British Interplanetary Society—an enthusiastic but rather bumbling group of amateur rocket scientists—on their accidental adventure to Mars. Yes, accidental. What starts as a test flight of their rocket ends with an unplanned trip to the Red Planet.

Characters
The Narrator/President/Secretary/Treasurer
Our guide through the chaos, the unnamed narrator, has a wonderfully dry sense of humour that enhances the comedic aspects of the story. You can’t help but chuckle at his candid descriptions of events and the group’s antics.

The Club Members
Each member of the Engineers’ Club brings their own unique charm, from the outlandish inventor to the overly optimistic dreamer. None of them is particularly competent, but that’s precisely what makes them so endearing.

The Martians
While I won’t spoil too much, the Martians are portrayed in a way that breaks typical sci-fi tropes of the time. Their interactions with the humans feel both whimsical and distinctly sarcastic—almost as if Clarke is projecting human absurdity onto alien culture.

Writing Style
Clarke’s tone in How We Went to Mars is unlike most of his later works. While he’s widely known for a more serious, philosophical style in books like Childhood’s End, this story demonstrates his ability as a humorist and satirist.

Clarke also showcases his foresight into the technicalities of what space travel would look like. It’s not hyper-realistic (this is satire, after all). Still, it’s grounded enough to remind you that Clarke did have a scientifically inclined mind. This mix of light-hearted storytelling and technical tidbits makes the story all the more engaging.

One of the most compelling aspects of Clarke’s writing in this one is how accessible it is. Even if you’re someone new to science fiction, the story’s humour, mixed with its brisk pace, makes it an easy and enjoyable read. Clarke doesn’t bombard readers with complex technical jargon; instead, he invites you to laugh along with the absurdity of it all.

Final Thoughts
If you’ve been yearning for a sci-fi tale that breaks away from the serious, weighty nature of the genre, How We Went to Mars is a refreshing read. Clarke’s unique blend of humour, satire, and imagination gives it a timeless quality; even nearly 90 years after its publication, this story is a delightful examination of humanity’s often clumsy attempts at greatness.

I’m giving this short an 8/10.

Have you read this cheeky short? What do you think?

Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review.

Until next time,

George

© 2025 GLT

Categories: Book Reviews, Reading

Tags: Arthur C. Clarke, book review, Mars, review, Sci fi, science fiction