Red Mars

By: Kim Stanley Robinson

Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

Length: 23 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel, Red Mars is the first book in Kim Stanley Robinson's best-selling trilogy. Red Mars is praised by scientists for its detailed visions of future technology. It is also hailed by authors and critics for its vivid characters and dramatic conflicts.

For centuries, the red planet has enticed the people of Earth. Now an international group of scientists has colonized Mars. Leaving Earth forever, these 100 people have traveled nine months to reach their new home. This is the remarkable story of the world they create - and the hidden power struggles of those who want to control it.

Although it is fiction, Red Mars is based on years of research. As living spaces and greenhouses multiply, an astonishing panorama of our galactic future rises from the red dust. Through Richard Ferrone's narration, each scene is energized with the designs and dreams of the extraordinary pioneers.

©1993 Kim Stanley Robinson (P)2000 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

• Nebula Award, Best Novel, 1993

"Generously blending hard science with canny insight into human strengths and weaknesses, this suspenseful sf saga should appeal to a wide range of readers." (Library Journal)
"The ultimate in future history." (Daily Mail)

Brilliant!

Classic example of what Science Fiction is supposed to be. Easily one of the top ten all-time Mars theme tales ever.

A Most Excellent, Beautiful, Philosophical Sci-fi

This is one of the best sci-fi books I've ever read (listened to, actually).

It is expansive, exquisitely written, filled with that dream-like, visionary kind of feeling which scientific inquiry can conjure at its best moments. It is heady and hopeful yet utterly unflinching about the brutality of human exploration into wild nature. It all takes place in a spaceship and then on Mars, but you will never look at Earth the same way again. Nor the human experience of being a settler amidst the wild of the great natural universe.

Also, the reading performance is spectacular. I cannot recommend this enough. I will be buying the sequels and other works by Robinson.

*hat tip to Will Meneker of Chapo Trap House for turning me onto this.

An Enjoyable, Detailed Listen

What made the experience of listening to Red Mars the most enjoyable?

The science was accurate and detailed. I really enjoyed learning as I listened and stopped several times to research and learn more.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Red Mars ?

I thought the characterization of Frank Chalmers was believable and one of the books high points. I'd say more, but spoilers.

What three words best describe Richard Ferrone’s voice?

Dry, paternal, old-fashioned

Any additional comments?

Wasn't a big fan of the narration, felt like it was better suited to a crime novella or Law & Order narration, but it wasn't so bad it ruined the story.

this IS tedious

If you could sum up Red Mars in three words, what would they be?

It is a long story, where not much happens. The details are impressive, the scientific imagination as well and documentation amazed me often, but despites iincredible efforts, the charachters are... plainly stupid. Nothing like the brilliant scientists and astute politicians they are supposed to be. While other characters seems amazed by their doing, the depiction of those actions seem very basic, not very smart, so not much to be amazed of. So there is definitely a flaw in the story. As per the narrator, his narrative tune emphasizes this feeling of naivity in all key players actions. But still that remains a fantastic piece of sci fi work, just be patient as it can take ages to develop and action, and you really wonder often...

A fantastic colonization story.

Some of the best hard science fiction ever written. KSR at his best. A book I love to reread.

Gets Better With Time... KSR got so much right!

Really tremendous reading/performance of a epic Sci-Fi story. Realistic story line with great characters; Arkady Bogdanov and Nadia were my favorites. Almost too much to comprehend - great for scientist or layman. Highly Recommend.

great story

What did you love best about Red Mars?

excellent story! great characters, and the author has obviously spent a lot of time researching Mars

Would you listen to another book narrated by Richard Ferrone?

yes, although he really only has good voices for Coyote and Frank Chalmers, and sometimes loses the voice he's doing mid-sentence. However, he does read with some enthusiasm, and keeps the story entertaining.

Great for the right type of reader.

This style of writing isn't everyone's cup of tea. But you're really going to love that tea if it is.

It's best to think of it as a fictional documentary with ongoing story elements. It really dives into the details of both the human element as well as the (literal) world building. The focus isn't on telling a specific story, it's about creating a very grounded but vivid picture for near-future Mars colonization. It also means that the story side is a slow, methodic buildup. You need a healthy level of patience, or at least a keen interest in the scientific, political, and psychological nuances behind everything.

Richard Ferrone is a great voice for narrating environments. He's not so great at dialog or character voices though. There are some inflections, mispronounced titles, and attempted accents that will occasionally break the immersion. But despite the faults he does a fairly decent job overall and to be fair he gets a LOT of different technical and ethnic names and titles thrown at him over the course of the series.

I'd suggest doing what I did and listen to all three, but between each book take a break with one or two other books in your comfort zone. If you've got the pacing and patience for it, by the end you'll swear the Mars colony was actually real.

Good performance

The book is vast. If you look for entertaining or action this is now for you.

But if you look for a good audio book to get you started, while listening to this, you might feel like you are there and feel what the characters feel.

a little slow & detail heavy

This book is very a very in-depth look at all aspects of colonizing Mars. KSR considers the technical & scientific problems, while also exploring the social & economic implications, as well. I was looking for a long book to kind of get lost in & really enjoyed this book as a trip out of this world.