The story in one page
Lord Redgrave, an English aristocrat, and his bride Zaidie launch the Astronef, an advanced vessel capable of traversing the vacuum of space. Intended as a grand wedding journey, the trip quickly turns into a series of interplanetary encounters. Upon arriving at Mars, the couple faces immediate hostility from the local air-fleets. Redgrave, resorting to brutal defensive tactics, annihilates the attacking forces before eventually descending to the surface. After surviving these skirmishes and navigating the perils of the solar system, they successfully return to Washington, D.C., where they are greeted by curious crowds and Mrs. Van Stuyler.
Who's who
- Lord Redgrave
English aristocrat and pilot of the space-faring Astronef.
- Zaidie
American bride and companion on the interplanetary honeymoon trip.
- Murgatroyd
The dedicated engineer operating the Astronef's complex engines.
- Mrs. Van Stuyler
Zaidie's acquaintance awaiting the couple's return in Washington.
What it's really about
- Interplanetary diplomacy
- Communication often results in conflict or destruction.
- Anglo-American cooperation
- The union of English engineering and American spirit.
Why it's memorable
- The Astronef crashing through a Martian air-ship to send it falling thirty thousand feet.
- Zaidie and Redgrave returning to the Capitol steps to greet the American president.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
The couple completes their massive circuit, landing exactly where they began. Zaidie reunites with Mrs. Van Stuyler while Redgrave shakes hands with the President, effectively closing the chapter on their interplanetary travel.
For your book club
- How quickly a romantic getaway turns into a series of aerial gunfights.
- The tendency of space travel to invite immediate war with indigenous populations.