Published Date: October 1, 1993
Publishing Co.: Spectra Books
Pages: 572
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
There have been many times that I have said, “The more actual science in science fiction, the better the book,” but, I have met my match it seems. This is the first book that I encountered where I can say that there was too much science and it really dragged me down.
Red Mars explores the possibilities of what will happen when the human race has finally destroyed Earth beyond repair and how they might attempt to terraform and colonize Mars. We follow this idea as they send the first 100 scientists to the planet and they begin the dangerous adventure of building a world that humans can come to. The story is told from the perspective of several different scientists who’s expertise varies and opinions on how things should be done, varies even more. There is conflict but also love and friendship, but preparing a planet for the arrival of a whole other planet, weighs heavy on shoulders on a planet with less gravity.
This book tread the line of being horribly boring and then quickly turning around and being terribly fascinating.
After almost a month and 572 pages of reading, that’s all I really have to say about the book. It was an okay read but not a series that I will be continuing.
cupcakesandmachetes 
I’ve read The Years of Rice And Salt, which is by the same author. I also had similar feelings – it alternates between interesting historical vignettes and dull exposition.
It’s hard because it doesn’t exactly motivate you to continue. I would leave it lying around for a couple days sometimes.
I’m with you about science fiction, but I met my match when I tried to read The Bobiverse. LOL, the premise was fun, but the science was so present that I oftentimes had no clue what was going on. I chose to DNF, but my husband ended up reading the whole series.
I haven’t tried that one and now I’m going to avoid it. 😛 Probably going to avoid other works by this author too. Someone else just commented that they had the same problem with another one of his books.
Good choice on not continuing 😀
Now, do you think you’ll try any of his other works or was this enough?
Well, based on another comment, this may be a common problem with his works so I may be avoiding anything else. Have you read anything by him?
Nope. After Red Mars, I never even thought about trying his books again…
There’s only one that make me go, “Eh maybe?” which is New York 2132. The premise of NYC underwater and people living underwater is cool but after the execution of Red Mars, I just don’t know.
The same people who I saw praising New York also praised Red Mars. So take your chances 😀
Ok well….that kind of settles it…..LMAO.
I think Robinson is a love him or hate him kind of author…
I don’t hate him but I took him off my list today.