- For other uses, see Aelita (disambiguation).
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| Author | Alexei Tolstoy |
|---|---|
| Original title | Аэлита |
| Translator | Lucy Flaxman |
| Country | Soviet Union |
| Language | Russian |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Foreign Languages Publishing House |
| Publication date | 1923 |
| Published in English | 1950 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| ISBN | NA |
Aelita (Russian: Аэлита) also known as Aelita or The Decline of Mars is a 1923 sci-fi novel by Russian author Alexei Tolstoy.
Plot summary
The story takes place in the Soviet Union, just after the end of the Russian Civil War. A lonely engineer, Mstislav Los', designs and constructs a revolutionary rocket and decides to set course for Mars. Looking for a companion for the travel, he finally leaves Earth with a retired soldier, Alexei Gusev. Arriving on Mars, they discover that the planet is inhabited by an advanced civilization. However, the gap between the ruling class and the workers is very strong and reminiscent of the early capitalism, with workers living in underground corridors near their machines. Later in the novel, it is explained that Martians are descendants of both local races and of Atlanteans who came there after the sinking of their home continent. Los' and Gusev lead a popular uprising against the king, with the support of his daughter Aelita, who has fallen in love with Los'. When the rebellion is crushed, they have to flee Mars and finally come back to Earth. Although the exact fate of Aelita herself is unknown, it is hinted that she actually survived because Los' receives radio messages from Mars mentioning his name.
Adaptations
The novel was adapted in the Soviet Union to silent film under the same title shot by Yakov Protazanov in 1924.
English releases
- Tolstoy, Aleksey Nikolayevich. Aelita translated by Lucy Flaxman. Moscow: Foreign Languages Publishing House, 1950, 276 pp. LCCN 5903-7312.
- Tolstoy, Alexei N. Aelita translated by Antonina W. Bouis; introduction by Theodore Sturgeon. New York: Macmillan, 1981, 167 pp. ISBN 0-02-619200-4. LCCN 8100-2185.
- Tolstoi, Alexei. Aelita or The Decline of Mars new translation by Leland Fetzer. Ann Arbor: Ardis, August, 1985, 176 pp. ISBN 0-88233-788-2. LCCN 8500-7437.
