The Man Who Hated Mars

"The Man Who Hated Mars" by Randall Garrett is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story revolves around the life and struggles of Ron Clayton, a convict exiled to the harsh and unforgiving environment of Mars. Themes of despair, escape, and the human condition are prevalent as Clayton grapples with his hatred for the cold and inhospitable planet, yearning for the comforts of Earth. The narrative follows Clayton, who has spent fifteen years in exile on Mars after opting for this fate over imprisonment on Earth. Frustrated by his situation and bitter about the cold Martian environment, he devises a plan to escape. After meeting a fellow Martian worker, Herbert Parkinson, he seizes an opportunity to assume his identity, intending to return to Earth. Clayton's cunning and desperation culminate in a series of thrilling actions as he sabotages a spaceship, aiming to secure his freedom. However, his plan leads to unforeseen consequences, resulting in a crash landing back on Earth and the realization of the enduring impact of his choices. Ultimately, the story explores themes of survival, identity, and regret in a vividly imagined Martian setting. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Gordon Randall Phillip David Garrett was an American science fiction and fantasy author. He was a contributor to Astounding and other science fiction magazines of the 1950s and 1960s. He instructed Robert Silverberg in the techniques of selling large quantities of action-adventure science fiction, and collaborated with him on two novels about men from Earth disrupting a peaceful agrarian civilization on an alien planet.