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)

A good story. A few terms are a bit dated

The storytelling is fantastic in my opinion. There is no fantastical plot twist that drives the story. It is a story of realistic and flawed characters going about "plausible" sci-fi scenarios while colonizing Mars. If you are looking for a super climatic story, I didn't find it, but I enjoyed the continued development of the people and the story nonetheless.

The narrator is very easy to listen to with enough distinction between characters and the story dialogue is fairly clear on who is talking.

A few things that irk me in terms of vocabulary. 1) The author uses the term "Moslim", which is a bit dated. I researched this and this was a preferred term used after WWII, so I presume this was considered appropriate by author/editor when the book was written. Today I would say it is condescending and insensitive. I can forgive this based on the context but 2) the author almost always refers to Muslims and Arabs collectively, whereas every other demographic is by country. That to me seems a bit racist. While I can appreciate generational changes on the views of Muslims, this one grated a bit more. Not enough to say you shouldn't read/listen to the book, but I think if you are prepared for it, it will be less off putting.

Excellent story with a lackluster performance.

The book has a phenomenal amount of thought put into it. From the science, to the characters to the discussions of thorny colonizing questions. There is a refreshing subtlety to the way a lot of ideas are expressed, and there was plenty of food for thought for me at least.

The same cannot be said of the narration. There is a total lack of accents, even for major characters from separate nations, and constant mispronunciations that should not have made it into a science-focused audiobook.

Glad for so much detail

I won’t be alive for the founding of Mars. Unless the tech from this story is made real I guess. But the thoroughness of detail in what will or may happen when we do get there is practically like being there. I love this story and thru the whole thing I was captivated.

Powerful storytelling, fantastic read

The story is intricate, beautiful, and devestating and interwoven with philosophy and science.

The narration is perfect! Such a rare thing.

Okay, but ...

Overall, this is an epic novel covering a wide range of area, people, and time. It includes lots of hard science, which I enjoy. There is the epic story of colonizing a new land; Mars in this case. However, there were also times when the author stopped the storyline for extensive diversions into a character's thoughts that I found rather boring. This the reason I choose not to read anymore of Patricia Highsmith after returning a collection of her stories for the same reason.

While interesting, I did not find it interesting enough to consider the rest of the Mars trilogy.

The Martians

Arthur C. Clarke said this book should be required reading for the first Martian colonists; he was very right. Robinson's novel pays extraordinary attention not only to the various human and political aspects of Martian colonization, but also to the hard science of it. If you're at all curious about the possible future of Mars, I'd highly recommend this novel.

I’m not reading the rest in the series.

The book covers too large of a time frame to go into great detail on any one thing. Most of the book reads like a history book, with a few personal interactions mixed in. I won’t be reading the remaining books in the series.

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.