This is less science fiction and more a parable about the self-destructive nature of the American Dream. The book is not one long novel but a collection of short stories set at various points in the history of America's colonization of Mars - because somehow it only ever seems to be Americans who make it out there. As such, it's like a series of snapshots through a much wider span of time than a novel would normally cover, and creates a broader view of a greater story arc that underscores the naivete and self-obsession of the humans.

Although the science was probably sketchy even at the time it was written and is now clearly wrong in every possible aspect, at a higher level it does a good job looking at how humans approach things like Mars colonization with such human-centered attitudes and expectations that when the Martians react in utterly alien (duh) ways it's completely unexpected and unpredicted. Throughout the book the selfishness and short-sightedness of the humans (embodied in the mid 20th century style Americans) is reflected again and again. Although it's a book about Mars and Martians, it's almost entirely about humans, because it really is about humanity and the Martians are really only a mirror through which Bradbury reflects back uncomfortable truths. Dated, misogynistic, and occasionally racist, but nonetheless thought-provoking, and particularly in light of the current United States political climate, still very relevant.