Old Mars is a "retro
Marsscience fiction"-themed
anthology edited by
George R. R. Martin and
Gardner Dozois, published on October 8, 2013.[1][2] According to the publisher
Tor Books, the collection celebrates the "
Golden Age of Science Fiction", an era before advanced astronomy and space exploration told us what we currently know about the
Solar System, when "of all the planets orbiting that G-class star we call the Sun, none was so steeped in an aura of romantic decadence, thrilling mystery, and gung-ho adventure as Mars."[1]Old Mars won a 2014
Locus Award.[3]
"Red Planet Blues" (Introduction) by George R.R. Martin[2]
"Martian Blood" by
Allen M. Steele; a doctor explores the Martian wilds in search of a blood sample from a native
Martian.[2]
"The Ugly Duckling" by
Matthew Hughes; an archaeologist explores "the ruins of the Martian past in a place from which few have returned."[2] The story draws heavily from the setting of
Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles.
"The Wreck of the Mars Adventure" by
David D. Levine; in 1701, pirate William Kidd must journey to Mars to earn a pardon for his crimes.[2] In 2016, Levine published a novel sequel, Arabella of Mars.
"Written In Dust" by
Melinda Snodgrass; a story about a family and a strange Martian illness.[2]
"The Lost Canal" by
Michael Moorcock; an adventure about a man in search of a bomb he needs to disarm.[2]
"The Sunstone" by
Phyllis Eisenstein; "the analogue for White Man’s intrusion into North America, with added mysticism."[2]
"King of the Cheap Romance" by
Joe R. Lansdale; a girl and her father try to bring the cure to Martian Fever back to their village.[2]
"Mariner" by
Chris Roberson; a "swashbuckling tale" featuring Roberson's Jason Carmody.[2]
"The Queen of the Night’s Aria" by
Ian McDonald; "a tale of people on the front lines of a Martian war."[2]
Reception
Robert H. Bedford wrote that "the majority of these stories were strong, fun and evocative," noting "only a few out of the dozen plus didn’t fully engage me." He called the works of Eisenstein, Corey, Roberson, Rosenblum and Steele "definite standouts."[2]
Old Mars won a 2014
Locus Award, and Howard Waldrop's story "The Dead Sea-Bottom Scrolls" was also nominated.[3]