Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson — book review

smokingpen — Wed, 11 Aug 2004 18:45:12 +0000

I recently put down Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson. Good book. It explores the scientific theory, through a science fiction story, of what would need to take place in order for human-kind to travel to and eventually colonize Mars. The general plot of the book doesn’t sound all that interesting, and unless you are a nut who likes to read well written stories that incorporate science fact with science fiction you’re probably not going to be super-fly on this book either. But the premise is good, the story is great, and the outcome is exactly what you would expect when you know that Kim Stanley Robinson has written two other books behind it, Blue Mars and Green Mars.

I’ve not been a science fiction reader in several years, like since I was in high school, but this book, picked up on a whim, was probably just what I needed to begin considering this genre of writing as a serious place to read from. However, in a fit for something entertaining, and not something I really had to think about, I purchased ‘I, Robot’ by Isaac Asimov in lieu of going and seeing the movie of the same name; and I purchased the three available ‘Ring World’ books by Larry Niven before ever picking up ‘Red Mars’. Can I just tell you that two of the three authors were enough to excite me about science fiction again that I am now looking for new authors and new books to read.

However, Red Mars begins by following the subterfuge of one of the first 100 scientific colonists to Mars. A research team that was set up by the combined efforts of Russia and the United States during the first part of the 21st century. This team included several other nationalities, though were generally only following the Russians and Americans through the story. The main characters, or more specifically the ones whose points of view Kim Stanley Robinson chooses to follow, are Frank – the American leader, John Boone – also known as the first man on Mars, Maya – the Russian leader, Nadia – a Russian who is also an engineering whiz, and Michael – the only non-American and non-Russian whose point of view matters (he’s from Italy and is the psychologist sent with the team to keep them sane). Throughout the book there is deceit, subterfuge, lying, stealing, an entire Mars grown hidden-subculture, and a stowaway on the first ship, the Ares, that all come in to play as the governments of Earth begin to see their populations increase, their precious metals and other minerals decrease, and the potential for a new life on Mars. On top of all this there is even a super villain, or should I call them super-villains, that make life on Mars all that much more difficult with the ending of the book being expected even though it may not exactly have been anticipated.

At over 500 pages, Red Mars can prove to be a little daunting and if you are not really interested in learning something new about science and the theory behind the possible colonization of Mars and the steps to begin terraforming, then this book probably isn’t for you; however, if you like a good story that is based in fact – and not someone’s made up logic and science – then Red Mars is a good book to pick up, read, and enjoy as you will become enmeshed in the lives and intrigues of the first 100.

John Hattaway | smokingpen | Alicia Grey | Clockwork Princess | Cassandra West

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Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson — book review