I read Kim’s Mars trilogy years ago and liked it. I decided to pick up The Ministry of the Future a couple days ago. It’s very different, and without any spoilers, I have to say it’s made me hate humanity even more than I already did. If you haven’t read it, it’s a near-future climate disaster book. Well written, interesting structure, and just pissing me off. I’m about halfway through it, so maybe it’ll swing the other way in the second half.
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After the Mars trilogy, I read 2312, New York 2140, and Aurora. None were bad, but I just sort of ran out of steam with ourobouros and employee collectives.
Aurora was the first and last Kim Stanley Robinson book I read. I don’t think it’ll be a popular opinion to say this, but it was the worst sci-fi book I’ve ever read.
It took so long to say so little, focusing on irrelevant personal details and plot that had no unique nexus with the premise or setting, while the “sci-fi” plot elements were paper thin and resolve in the dumbest, least satisfying way possible. Really really turned me off of the author.
I’m not sure I entirely agree, but I am sympathetic. It really is an entire book about why one sci-fi trope is a bad idea. There’s an almost eye-rolling meta-text that he’s done with any traditional notions of space travel and heroic explorers, and that it’s time to turn our eyes and brains to earth.
Now, I think I was okay with seeing that story play out, and I do appreciate any author who can hold my attentiona during info-dumps (Hello there, Neal Stephenson) but there was certainly an element of Wagons East! in the book, but not enough John Candy and Richard Lewis.
I think the “ran out of steam” is a good way to describe it. I’ll probably end up reading a couple more of his books, but it won’t be for some years, and many, many other books, from now.
Maybe try Shaman, it’s pretty different from his other stuff. Although I’m pretty biased, I love every KSR book I’ve read.
Thumbs up for Shaman. I got the strong impression that KSR ran around in the woods at night naked to research that book. Some really interesting speculation on Neanderthals too.
Check out KSRs interview in chapo Traphouse. It gave me hope for the future.
It’s not science fiction, but my favorite of his novels is The Years of Rice and Salt.
The Years of Rice and Salt.
I remember hearing about that book. Interesting premise.
It’s fantastic, I am usually skeptical of alternate history as they tend to be lazy and are often masturbatory, but this book is great.
