Do you remember The War of the Worlds? This is a sequel, of sorts. In War, the Martians were defeated by their vulnerability to earth’s ecosystem. Star-Begotten explains plan B. What if, instead of invading earth, they used interplanetary rays to subtly change humans into their own spiritual children?

This book is a lot more about philosophy than plot. If you assume that the Martians are technologically as well as morally superior to humans, how would their benevolent rule change the course of the planet?

Star-Begotten is an interesting period piece, exploring optimism and fear on the eve of World War II.

Wells, H. G. Star-Begotten. Manor Books, 1937.