I thought RED MARS was a sensational read, stimulating, imaginative, rigorous, intelligent and sophisticated in applying contemporary science and politics to a story about the future colonization and ‘terraforming’ of the ‘red planet.’
So enthusiastic am I, that I am dismayed by some of the negative notices on the first pages of this review section. I can only assume that readers who were disappointed expected something more on the order of a space opera like “Star Wars,” with it’s black hats and white hats and Ming the Merciless-style villains. I can appreciate a good space opera, it’s an old and loved SF staple, and I spent the early part of Covid lockdown compulsively reading through the eight part The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey, the pen name of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck (the ninth and last book is due out in 2021, and it’s a TV series carried on Amazon Prime. The rights to dramatize Robinson’s MARS trilogy are apparently held by Spike TV). The Expanse is a space opera full of plot, violence, action, drama and incident. It’s an engine in full throttle that rarely lets up and it’s wonderful escapist reading. And I recommend it to those readers who have trashed the Mars Trilogy. It may be more like what you expected.
RED MARS has all those things and much more, but done in an entirely different style. Kim Stanley Robinson is a writer of elegance, restraint, and cool observation and his vision of the colonization of Mars feels meticulous, realistic and credible, which is no easy achievement. It’s not an entertainment machine, it’s a means of thinking about the political, scientific and philosophical ramifications of space travel. He takes the crosscurrents of nationalism and volatile politics and extrapolates what those could mean to a space colonization of Mars. His vision is thoroughly believable, which is all the more remarkable since it was written during the elder Bush administration. This is not a dull book. It is full of varied characters, passion, action and violence. There is plenty of story and plot. There is also a sense of the awe-inspiring grandeur of an alien world and the deep fervor it inspires in its colonists.
It is cerebral, so be prepared for a rigorous (not passively languorous) book that makes demands on readers. If traveling down various byways of science isn’t for you, stay away from RED MARS rather than criticizing a genuine achievement that happens not to be your style
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Reviews with images
A practical study of colonization
Thirty years have passed since <i>Red Mars</i> was published. Considering that in 1993 the internet was in its infancy, and cell phones were nonexistent, Kim Stanley Robinson’s novel holds up well. His chronicle of the countless problems involved in colonizing a hostile planet is what makes this book compelling.Just surviving the trip to Mars is a daunting challenge. The international crew of scientists must deal with a deadly solar flare, endless emergency drills, boredom, and personality conflicts during their six-month journey. Upon arrival they set about creating a habitat using sophisticated construction equipment sent ahead of them by unmanned landing craft.The scientists are brilliant, yet prone to pursuing their own agendas in deciding what Mars will become. One faction wants to terraform the planet to create safe living conditions, while another is concerned with preserving its natural integrity. This creates conflicts among the various leaders, especially John Boone and Frank Chalmers, both romantically involved with the same woman.Much of this book is about geology and weather. Robinson has obviously done an enormous amount of research. He takes us on detailed tours of Mars, describing its characteristics and dangers, such as an enormous dust storm lasting several years. I found myself referring repeatedly to a map of the planet at the front of the book as the narrative leaped from one site to another.What I enjoyed most were the innovations the scientists used to perform their tasks, such as giant roving machines, and small windmills scattered about the planet to heat the atmosphere. Robinson has imagined everything in great detail and speaks with an authoritative voice.Inevitably, the Mars colony comes under threat from the same force that has plagued humanity since Creation: the beast within. New generations of immigrants create enormous social problems that echo the persistent chaos back on Earth. Robinson suggests that no matter where we go in this vast universe, our flaws will pursue us.<i>Red Mars</i> can be difficult to follow at times, as the author records the progression of events in broad strokes. I was disappointed in the foul language pervading the book. Still, it is expertly crafted, and probably the most pragmatic novel yet written about the future of space travel.
Top reviews from other countries
Ohan Hominis
Science-first science fiction. Incredibly researched.
Reviewed in Germany on August 6, 2023
