Scientist and revolutionary Bogdanov (1873-1928), an associate of
Lenin, is regarded as one of the pillars of modern Soviet science
fiction; these three utopian pieces, however, while of academic
interest (shrewd extrapolations, deft political analyses, the
historical context), are too nearly propaganda to make for
satisfying fiction. In the title novel (1908), narrator Leonid is
conveyed to Mars just as the (doomed to fail) revolution of 1905
gets under way. The humanlike Martians have achieved a stable,
democratic socialist utopia but, prophetically enough, face
overpopulation, food shortage, and pollution threats - so they've
decided to colonize other planets. One faction favors Venus;
another, led by scientist Sterni, intends to wipe out humanity and
take over the Earth. In a fury, Leonid kills Sterni, then sadly
returns to Earth. Engineer Menni (1913) is a "Martian historical"
tale describing how, three centuries before Leonid's arrival,
dedicated Martian engineers built the canals as the socialist
revolution overtakes the planet. There's also a poem (1927) about a
Martian stranded on Earth. Skillfully handled
inspirational/didactic material, then, but without much drama,
excitement, or plot: i.e., all but unreadable as sf today. Leland
Fetzer's Pre-Revolutionary Russian Science Fiction (1982), which
includes Red Star, is a more broadly interesting introduction to
Soviet sf roots. (Kirkus Reviews)
" A] surprisingly moving story." The New Yorker
"Bogdanov's novels reveal a great deal about their fascinating
author, about his time and, ironically, ours, and about the genre
of utopia as well as his contribution to it." Slavic Review
"Bogdanov's imaginative predictions for his utopia are both
technological and social... Even more farsighted are his] anxious
forebodings about the limits and costs of the utopian future."
Science Fiction Studies
"The contemporary reader will marvel at Bogdanov's] foresight:
nuclear fusion and propulsion, atomic weaponry and fallout,
computers, blood transfusions, and (almost) unisexuality."
Choice
A communist society on Mars, the Russian revolution, and class
struggle on two planets is the subject of this arresting science
fiction novel by Alexander Bogdanov (1873 1928), one of the early
organizers and prophets of the Russian Bolshevik party. The red
star is Mars, but it is also the dream set to paper of the society
that could emerge on earth after the dual victory of the socialist
and scientific-technical revolutions. While portraying a harmonious
and rational socialist society, Bogdanov sketches out the problems
that will face industrialized nations, whether socialist or
capitalist."
General
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