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Green Mars
Green Mars | Kim Stanley Robinson
10 posts | 26 read | 11 to read
Nearly a generation has passed since the first pioneers landed, but the transformation of Mars to an Earth-like planet has just begun. In Green Mars the colonists will attempt to turn the red planet into a lush garden for humanity. They will bombard the atmosphere with ice meteorites to add moisture. They will seed the red deserts with genetically engineered plants. Then they will tap the boiling planetary core to warm the planet's frozen surface. But their heroic efforts don't go unchallenged. For their plan to transform Mars is opposed by those determined to preserve the hostile and barren beauty of Mars. Led by rebels like Peter Clayborne, these young people are the first generation of children born on Mars, and they will be joined in their violent struggle by original settlers Maya Toitovna, Simon Frasier, and Sax Russell. Against this cosmic backdrop, passions, rivalries, and friendships will explode in a story as big as the planet itself. A novel of breathtaking scope and imagination, of lyric intensity and social resonance, Kim Stanley Robinson employs years of research and state-of-the-art science to create a prophetic vision of where humanity is headed - and of what life will be like on another world.
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review
Robotswithpersonality
Green Mars | Kim Stanley Robinson
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Mehso-so

The series continues to be strong commentary on what happens when profits and politics, even conflicting personal philosophies and ethics, influence science and government.
I loved all the insights into the particular challenges that might arise in terraforming Mars. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? This book also introduced the interesting quandary of what happens when you give a certain population longevity treatments, not just the unequal power system that sets up, but also the hypothesis that these longevity treatments would prot CT one from most genetic issues but compensate unevenly for rare/serious conditions (i.e. aggressive late stage cancer due to radiation) or brain issues related to long term memory or new damage. 1mo
Robotswithpersonality 3/? Once again I have issues with the representation:
There's something so misogynistic in Maya's 'stereotypical beautiful woman (now aging)' characterization: obsessed with how her looks affected people, hyper-emotional, insecure about getting attention from every male around, seeing it as her way to power, power hungry, wants to be fawned over but also fickle, unable to do anything but be 'catty' to another female who basically acts just like her, volatile to those who try to stay with her. I recognize humans are flawed, but between Maya and Ann, it feels like the author loaded the hysterical elements onto the female characters for plot spice and that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
1mo
Robotswithpersonality 4/? Definitely still feels like some bizarre combo of xenophobia and fetishization floating around the edges of characterization of ethnic groups that aren't caucasian, but so much is 'antagonistic in-group us vs them' stuff that separating it from the necessities of the narrative and perspective of individual characters is tricky. 1mo
See All 6 Comments
Robotswithpersonality 5/? If anyone knows of own voices' opinions on the brain damage/ aphasia rep here I'd love to hear it, there's a whiff of ableism in the pursuit of treatment resulting in "the exhilaration of normality"...and then there's the mad scientist characterization, after the character has had the injury. 1mo
Robotswithpersonality 6/? Speaking of perspectives: I recognize the author had a lot of ground to cover (though I'd argue he still managed to stick some 'let's go look at another bit of Mars and the emerging developments! filler now and then), but I would love to have seen another turn with Art and Nirgal's perspectives near the end. As happy as I am that we got Nadia more than once, I remain put out that I had to read from Maya for so long.

Pacing issues in the second book of a trilogy? 'Twas ever thus. 🙄
1mo
Robotswithpersonality 7/7 Will I finish the trilogy? Yes. When? Well it will have to be soon so I don't forget everything that just happened. 🤷🏼‍♂️ The author is still presenting enough food for thought that I want to see how he chooses to end this experiment. 1mo
6 likes6 comments
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Robotswithpersonality
Green Mars | Kim Stanley Robinson
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More discussions like this, please. 🙏🏻

6 likes1 stack add
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Robotswithpersonality
Green Mars | Kim Stanley Robinson
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Say it louder for the people in the back. 👏🏻

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Robotswithpersonality
Green Mars | Kim Stanley Robinson
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"science twisted" by "institutional affiliation" ...not just a future Mars problem. ?

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Robotswithpersonality
Green Mars | Kim Stanley Robinson
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Jurassic Park vibes: "your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should."

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Robotswithpersonality
Green Mars | Kim Stanley Robinson
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Yeah, sorry, Art, I'm gonna have to give it to the local Mars subsidiary on this one: Ouroborous is a way cooler name for a salvage company than Dumpmines, even if that's more descriptive of its purpose. 💁🏼‍♂️

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review
TheSpineView
Green Mars | Kim Stanley Robinson
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Pickpick

The plot was good but slow in places due to data dumps and loads of character development. The story is almost a 100 years after the first colony ships lands on Mars. There are now multiple factions resisting Earth control over Mars colonists. Tensions are rising and it seems that a revolt is inevitable. Lots of good science in the story as well as politics. Enjoyed. 4⭐

blurb
TheSpineView
Green Mars | Kim Stanley Robinson
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#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

"The point is not to make another Earth."
Kim Stanley Robinson, Green Mars

review
Seonjoon
Green Mars | Kim Stanley Robinson
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Pickpick

I'm getting close to the end of this second installment in KSR's Mars trilogy--the halfway point of the series. Gotta admit, I think I'd enjoy this more if I were reading a paper book rather than audio. The plot is so intricate, I'm struggling to keep track of everything. BUT! What an INCREDIBLE world! Seriously hard SF, insightful dashes of philosophy, very human characters... 💚💚💚💚💚💚

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review
Jaime
Green Mars | Kim Stanley Robinson
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Pickpick

Very different from the first book. A little slower and a little more time spent on the character's inner lives. But a great ending and excitement for the last book in the trilogy.