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Red Mars  By  cover art

Red Mars

By: Kim Stanley Robinson
Narrated by: Richard Ferrone
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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)

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What listeners say about Red Mars

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Slow Red Mars

Far to slow for my taste. Long winded with very little action. Great descriptions of characters and environment, but the plot was confusing.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Good

Slow start but great book & riveting ending... in true KSR fashion. Going to listen to next book in series.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Fantastic research, low action, but good book

I can understand why people don't like this book. It's not full of action, it doesn't open with lasers firring on spaceships, it takes time and goes through fantastic detail. I really could believe I was on mars. And the details are fantastic especially when you consider this book is 15 years old. Since the book was published we've had 3 rovers on mars, several more orbiters, etc.

The book follows the lives of the first people to land on mars as viewed from several individuals each in turn. Just as I was starting to get comfortable with that character he switches people and we start learning about someone new. I found it annoying at times.

If you wonder, could humans live on mars? How could we get there? What would it be like on mars? Then you will like this book. He explores not only the technical challenges but the political problems, emotional strains that anyone going to mars would face. If you want a thriller or action book, it's probably best to look elsewhere.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Red Mars

More science than fiction. The fiction is just that we have actually gone to Mars. Very well read and it is captivating entertainment for those long hours behind the wheel.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

From great to boring and back and forth...

I've liked this book, at least some parts of it. The scientific approach, the politics and some other stuff are great. These parts are dynamic, you love and hate the characters, you take part in the story. In the other side, there are some extremely boring parts with endless description of landscapes, travels and other very little interesting stuff. I've liked it, but I really wanted it to come to an end. Good narration.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • CB
  • 08-22-09

My favorite Mars book

The Mars series by Kim Stanley Robinson is one of my favorites, and Red Mars is, IMHO, the best book in the series.

This is the story not of the first manned expedition to Mars, but the first Mars colony. The beginning of the book (first few chapters) seems a little draggy, but it's the foundation for the rest of the character relationships, so it's worth listening to.

All in all, I highly recommend this series, and this book in particular.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Unimaginably fantastic

Book had me obsessed after 30 minutes. Absolutely incredible read. Must read the next two books in the Mars Trilogy. Green, and Blue.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great reading of classic

This book is part of an indescribably influential trilogy of book about terraforming and colonization this is absolutely wonderful.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

you just can't stop listening

it was instantly engaging, and the characters all unique and detailed. The story is told alternately from the perspective of different people which gives new insights with every chapter. The politics of a new Martian society were very interesting.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

very realistic science fiction

for a science fiction novel this book is quite realistically written, a bookful of science facts as well as science fiction. very much on par with Isaac Asimov.

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