The Wild Shore

The Three Californias Triptych, Book 1

By: Kim Stanley Robinson

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of the award-winning Mars trilogy comes a vision of a radically different alternative future, where every day is a fight to survive.

North America, 2047. For the small Pacific Coast community of San Onofre, life in the aftermath of a devastating nuclear attack is a matter of survival, a day-to-day struggle to stay alive. But young Hank Fletcher dreams of the world that might have been, that might yet be - and dreams of playing a crucial role in America's rebirth.

Kim Stanley Robinson's first novel, The Wild Shore, is an epic tale that will appeal to adults and young adults alike.

©1984 Kim Stanley Robinson (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc., and Skyboat Media, Inc.

Interesting

Worth a listen but probably not to everyone’s taste. I liked it, the descriptions were fabulous, characters were flushed out.

Character of America

A solid 3 stars, entertaining that doesn’t require full attention and good descriptions of CA. The story is in many ways believable especially now in 2023/2024 with the problems in the country. Unlike other “post-apocalyptic” books with a nuclear war with hardly any people left and desolation.
If we aren’t wise and we aren’t that wise anyway apparently, we may just find the good ole USA scattered in the dust.
Maybe 2024 will see the turning point!

Story peters out

I’m not sure what this book wanted to be. There were some interesting details, good characters and lovely language (inspired no doubt by long walks along the West Coast). But the story got lost and evaporated.

Inspiring

Rich in detail, both external and internal to the point of view character, this novel wastes little time telling why we should care about this world, preferring to immerse us in it and let us draw our own conclusions.

Excellent Read

This author is extraordinary. The books reads as if it were written yesterday. He has carefully examined what it means to be human and to lead a fulfilling life. The characters face the same kinds of challenges that humans have been faced with for millennia—food, shelter, relationships. The main character has known only this life, yet he is able to stitch together the various parts of his limited experience to figure out what is important, what will define his existence. The book made me stop and think long and hard about what I give importance to in my own life. It also challenges our place in the world as the richest country on Earth and what this means to the rest of the world. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves great writing, beautiful language, and thought provoking narrative.

Where has Robinson been all my life?

Finally I find this incredibly well written book with a superb narrator as well! Can't believe I missed this one for so long!

Well developed characters

This is not my favorite genre but I really thought the characters were well developed it paints a picture of a geopolitical future that I have not heard before. Given its origins in 1984: I would like to see a similar trilogy from a current perspective.

Beautiful

What a great adventure! Rich and creative storytelling combined with just the right amount of world building. Highly recommend.

Good read!

Loved the protagonists description of nature around him and the snippets of classical works and poems.

A ruthless gaze, a kind mind, a primal heart.

Lies and dreams embrace until characters become people. Hopes and fears crash against a world too soft to hate and too harsh to ignore.

Incredibly beautiful writing for a strong and honest story. Powerful.