Wow! Many thanks to Colin for recommending this fascinating, compelling science fiction novel (the first of a trilogy) describing the colonization of Mars.
Many significant Earth-bound themes are thrown into sharp relief, accentuated by the open possibilities for establishing a new (?) world order on Mars. Some of these issues are represented by key members of the First Hundred to settle on the planet: Idealism (John Boone) versus political manipulation (Frank Chalmers), eco-preservation (Ann Clayborne) versus aggressive terraforming (Sax Russell), and revolutionary democratic forms of government (Arkady Bogdanov) vs. control by transnational corporations (Phylis Boyle). The characters are interesting individuals and Mars is depicted in astonishing and deeply-researched detail as hostile, extraordinarily strange, and awe-inspiringly beautiful.
Thanks for this post. Perhaps I shall check this out myself. Or maybe I'll eat the book, depending on whether or not I'm hungry, so I'd keep it out of my reach until I am well and fed.
ReplyDeleteI just finished the third book in the trilogy, Blue Mars, and I think this is easily one of the best works of science fiction I have ever read. The trilogy has a really epic scope, taking the history of the planet from its beginnings as a scientific settlement all the way through the process of terraforming and mass immigration from earth, chronicling the creation of the new Martian society. Robinson really has a highly sophisticated and holistic view of all the interconnected issues and problems of colonization and of history more generally, from politics to environment to the human experience of living in a radical new space.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most impressive things about the book is the vast amount of research that went into the work; you learn a lot about everything from geology to astrophysics to climatology.
Again, many thanks to Colin for recommending this! I just finished volume 2, Green Mars, and thought it was extraordinary - very sharp and vivid characterizations of the main characters coupled with fascinating descriptions of Martian terraforming and colonization. One chapter, Long Runout, was a tour de force of writing - merging the despair and anger of one of the original settlers, a geologist, with her experience of an unusual and massive landslide - utterly powerful and gripping. Great, great read!
ReplyDeleteJust finished Red and Green Mars - AWESOME!! Can't wait to read Blue Mars. :)
ReplyDeleteJust finished Blue Mars. Amazing scope and astonishing imagination. Very absorbing, and rewarding in many ways. There are a few subjects introduced in the books that I now feel like exploring - then I'll be ready to re-read. Very highly recommended!
ReplyDeleteJust re-read Red Mars - still deeply engrossing, fascinating and original. On re-reading, I think the development of each character is much better than I had realized first time through. Terrific book!
ReplyDeleteFinished re-reading Green Mars - really worth reading again - acute observations on contemporary political and social issues and very interesting character studies. Long Runout (referred to in my comment above) again shook me. Fabulous. I don't have a copy of blue Mars at home, so am reading other things now.....including Galileo's Dream by Kim Stanley Robinson - VERY interesting and VERY funny.
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