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)

Good Science

Part hard science, part utopian sociology and part epic science fiction, Red Mars was an incredible read and also a very enjoyable listen. While this narrator lacks emotion at times, the story doesn't suffer overly much. I would recommend this audio book to anyone who has a love for imagining what might in fact be just around the corner, the exploration and eventual colonization of other planets within our solar system. The author does a good job of melding many elements, including strong character development, into a very entertaining story.

incredible!!!

well paced with characters you build a relationship with and feel a sincere connection with.

narrator just okay

The narration was very bland. I felt the book dragged in places because of it.

Comprehensive colonization plan

Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson is the opening installment of the epic Mars trilogy. While tending to the geeky nature of establishing a viable, large scale human presence on Mars, the focus is largely on the competing and mostly contradictory approaches promoted towards human settlements, terraforming efforts, as well as establishment of various governance structures. At the same time, the realistic situation of attempts at control from a distance by the Earth UN to the media distortion of distant events is handled well. Throughout the tale, the perspective of key players relate the development from the early 100 pilgrims at the start of their journey to the eventual free-for-all civil war evolves seamlessly.

Robinson's handles multiple sci-fi elements in a decidedly realistic manner without resorting to gimmicks or new laws of the universe. The spaceflight is down to earth, while the discussions surrounding geology and Martain terraforming feel logically consistent. Perhaps the most advanced concepts involve medical genetic manipulations for life extension. Throughout however, the plot is driven by different perspectives and approaches to the creation of a Martian society running the gamut of simplistic socialism to exploitative capitalism with some injections of religion and attempts at a uniquely Martian identity.

The narration is nicely rendered with good character distinction and a range of accents of a global nature. Pacing and tone are well aligned with the plot.

omg is it over yet?!

at chpt 28 and seems like it will never end...feel like I'm constantly being beat over the head with overly drawn out descriptions of the landscape and feckless lovers... someone tell me how it ends cause I'm done.

patience Pays Off

This is a long book that moves slowly, but deliberately, through the colonization of Mars. The author's grasp of several technologies is impressive, yet is written in an almost poetic style. It is a great read well worth the effort.

Life on Mars

An expansive saga that begins with the first 100 settlers. It continues into the future encompassing complicated relationships, The politics of progress that are for or against terraforming, etc. The detail and flow of this book has made it my favorite. This is a hard sci-fi book encompassing many fields of science.

I do alot of driving. Some books are difficult to listen to when driving late into the night. I become drowsy leading to unsafe driving. This book keeps my attention in such an engaging way that I would end up parked in the driveway unwilling to stop!

Audible 20 Review Sweepstakes Entry

Poor narration ruins it

I have 228 titles currently in my library. This is one of my least favorite narrations of all time. He reads well but without telling or enlivening the story. As for the story itself, it’s a disappointment after New York 2140, which was my first by the author, and superb, as well as a fabulous audio production.

Interesting premise

I appreciated the technical aspects of terraforming Mars and the angst between those who want to develop vs those who want to leave the planet in its natural state. I found myself annoyed by some of the personalities and ended up just wanting to “get done” with the story. May not take on the second book.

Utopian Social Fiction with Annoying Characters

A properly depicted Martian geography and a grand vision of terraforming are the strongest points of the book. Plainly naïve, silly characters may easily discourage more sensitive readers from completing Robinson's opus magnum, though.