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#19 Travelling to Mars by Mark Russell and Roberto Meli


During the entire time I was reading Traveling to Mars, I kept thinking about something Neil deGrasse Tyson once said, that instead of pouring resources into colonizing Mars, wouldn’t it be wiser to focus on making Earth a place we don’t need to flee from? After all, we haven’t yet exhausted what this planet has to offer; there are still regions we've never even reached. And if resources truly are the issue, then why not do something to preserve the Earth, rather than deplete and pollute it to the point where it becomes uninhabitable? But the answer, of course, is obvious. These decisions are driven by motives far removed from the common good. Tyson may not have said this part, I did. Just a guy writing down his thoughts on a blog.

With this work, the talented and exceptional writer Mark Russell has earned a place among my favorite contemporary authors, and honestly, among my favorites overall. Even if he never published anything else, Traveling to Mars alone would be enough for me. It's the best I’ve read from him so far, and when I say “best,” I mean the one I rank highest for reasons I’ll explain shortly.

First and foremost, it’s a story centered around one man — Roy Livingston — a name that, in my opinion, wasn’t chosen randomly. (The album I’ve included at the end of this post reflects that belief.) The plot takes us on a journey through space, told with subtle, dark humor and deep self-awareness. It dives into the protagonist’s soul as he embarks on this mission, not out of choice but because he’s dying of cancer. With nothing left to lose, he chooses to spend the remainder of his life not decaying on Earth but making one final journey for the supposed good of humanity. (More on that in a bit.) Along the way, he records his thoughts in a notebook. All these elements, and more, make up what I consider to be the ideal ingredients for a truly compelling narrative.

And when those ingredients are handled by a writer with vision, who also happens to be a gifted storyteller, then the result feels like a blessing. Another brilliant recommendation from my friend G. Thanks, man. Much appreciated.

So, why exactly does Mr. Roy go to Mars? Because Earth is running out of fuel, and whoever reaches Mars first gets to claim its resources. As Roy journeys through space, the narrative lays bare all those grim truths about humanity, vanity, greed, the utter lack of unity or solidarity. Russell uses the voyage as a lens to critique our obsession with dominance, our inability to cooperate, and our tendency to prioritize individual gain over collective survival. It’s not about enduring together, it’s about winning alone. Why bother with the well-being of everyone when self-interest is the only rule that matters?

Through Roy’s personal perspective, Russell, along with illustrator Roberto Meli, delivers a powerful volume published by Ablaze this past February. If I had to sum it up in one line, I’d say it's a reflection on human nature, and more specifically, on loneliness.

Our path through life is filled with forks in the road. Whether we take them often comes down to personal choice. Sometimes these choices lead us to unexpected places, other times to familiar safe zones. Spend your life avoiding new experiences and you might end up riddled with regret. Chase novelty at every turn and you may find that nothing satisfies you anymore. There are no universal truths, every personality is unique, but I believe a balanced approach is a good one: lean into both ends of the spectrum from time to time. Of course, as we all know, it’s easier said than done.

Roy regrets many of the things he didn’t do, but in the end, he acts with courage and faces death head-on. He’s been through hell — his own personal hell — and there were many times when he was completely drained, teetering on the edge. But in facing the end, he finally discovers meaning. Better late than never.

That’s why I admire Russell. Because even in a story as heavy and painful as this, one that could easily veer into despair, he manages, alongside Meli, to capture something else entirely: the idea that even in the darkest places, there are cracks where the light gets in. 

Glimpses of hope.

Until next time — be well, and keep reading.

It’s important!


Accompanying Notes: 

https://open.spotify.com/album/3WpPBSIAlElw91HMtjOOh9?si=MJcwDMYFT3mj6Vqxzgg2iw

and of course 

https://open.spotify.com/album/6fQElzBNTiEMGdIeY0hy5l?si=rKAIO4AcSOarTgtcJHfjRw


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