Ray Bradbury Forums
Was King using poetic license??

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19 January 2004, 07:11 PM
spcape33
Was King using poetic license??
Just read Stephen King's "Bag Of Bones". He eludes to a story by Ray Bradbury called either "Heaven Is Mars" or "Mars Is Heaven". Astronauts arrive on Mars only to find it is their hometown in Illinois where their departed loved ones live. Only to be slaughtered by Martians while they sleep. Sounds kinda like Martian Chronicles. Was this a real story? If it is, where can it be found? Or did Mr. King get me?

Thanks for your help.
19 January 2004, 08:06 PM
Richard
It is a very real story. It comprises one of the chapters of the THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, which is a series of short stories about Mars that Ray turned into a novel. In compiling the novel, the original title of the short story was dropped. If you pick up a copy of THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, however, you should be able to find this chapter very easily.
19 January 2004, 09:28 PM
dandelion
It has been collected under that title, also anthologized under other titles.
19 January 2004, 09:49 PM
Richard
In THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, the story is known as "April 2000: The Third Expedition."
19 January 2004, 10:19 PM
spcape33
Thanks! I thought it must have been part of TMC, but wasn't sure. Thanks again for your help.
01 February 2004, 09:22 PM
DanB
Dandelion,
"Mars is Heaven" was also the title used for a radio adaptation of the M.C. story. I think it might have been aired on "Suspense" in the 50's.
01 February 2004, 09:24 PM
DanB
Also,
I haven't read Bag of Bones yet, but I've heard good things about it. Spcape, do you recommend?

Dan