Richard Ganthony

born Liverpool, England: 11 September 1856

died Richmond, Surrey: 29 April 1924

(1856-1924) UK playwright and author o f the science fiction play, A Message from Mars: A Fantastic Comedy in Three Acts (performed 1899), which was first published in novelized form as A Message from Mars: A Story Founded on the Popular Play by Richard Ganthony (1912) by Lester Lurgan, and in something like its original form as A Message from Mars: A Fantastic Comedy in Three Acts (1923 chap), which was a revision of the original script. It was filmed twice, both times as A Message from Mars (1913 and 1921), the first version being presented in synopsis form as Mr Charles Hawtrey in a Cinematograph Version of A Message from Mars (1912 chap), as adapted by J Wallett Waller. The story is a kind of reenactment of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol (1843), the Scrooge character, in this case a mildly dissipated young gentleman, being subjected to visits from a superior being from Mars, who demonstrates to him various marvels as they walk through London. In the end, he awakens transformed from this vision.

本書選自英國齣版的簡易讀物，為一部三幕科幻喜劇，劇情麯摺，引人入勝。語言淺顯流暢，有助於培養口語能力。適閤高中一年級學生及同等程度讀者閱讀。