zerodhite's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
krispijn's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
jigglydelight's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This is a collection of short stories (or works) following the Red Mars trilogy. I do not recommend picking this up before the series, and only recommend this if you were a big fan of the Red Mars trilogy. You will spoil things, confuse yourself, and not have some of the emotional points hit like they are supposed to if you pick this book up too soon.
This collection features alternate timelines, behind the scenes looks, connected but not connected stories, documents, and poems. There's something for everyone. Most people seemed to have loved the story Green Mars, I did not. Many people hated the baseball story, it was my favorite. I think it's worth a quick read if you come across it, but I wouldn't rave about it like I did the Red Mars Trilogy. I thought it was just ok, but 2 stars felt too harsh.
This collection features alternate timelines, behind the scenes looks, connected but not connected stories, documents, and poems. There's something for everyone. Most people seemed to have loved the story Green Mars, I did not. Many people hated the baseball story, it was my favorite. I think it's worth a quick read if you come across it, but I wouldn't rave about it like I did the Red Mars Trilogy. I thought it was just ok, but 2 stars felt too harsh.
regalalgorithm's review against another edition
5.0
A surprisingly essential addendum to the already exquisite Mars trilogy.
In using short disconnected stories to revisit this world that was built over a series of books and dozens of characters and hundreds of years, Robinson takes apart and individually explores the plethora of themes and emotions that were at the core of the trilogy: humanity's relation to place and earth and planet, technological ingenuity and catastrophe, political progress and compromise, the oddness of living as one human being as part of the flow of history of humanity and ecology, and above all the dynamics between individual people as they deal with all these other aspects of life. And what's so great is that these stories really are short: there are dozens peppered through the book, with only a few lasting more than a dozen pages. So, each one is a zoomed in glimpse of this whole wide world, in a way that was never possible in the sprawling epic that was the trilogy that traced the entire history of humanity's first few centuries on Mars. And in many cases each boils down to one idea or feeling, and in so doing highlights clearly another piece of what the original trilogy was about.
Not all the stories were thrilling or essential; for example, one is literally the first constitution of Mars, followed by an political retrospective analysis of said constitution -- not exactly high drama. But that's the beauty of it: these stories get their power from being set in this world that was already built by the trilogy, and in briefly hinting at the vastness and depth of it. Alltogether, these stories made me appreciate the underlying themes of the trilogy much more, and for that I think this collection is an utter success.
In using short disconnected stories to revisit this world that was built over a series of books and dozens of characters and hundreds of years, Robinson takes apart and individually explores the plethora of themes and emotions that were at the core of the trilogy: humanity's relation to place and earth and planet, technological ingenuity and catastrophe, political progress and compromise, the oddness of living as one human being as part of the flow of history of humanity and ecology, and above all the dynamics between individual people as they deal with all these other aspects of life. And what's so great is that these stories really are short: there are dozens peppered through the book, with only a few lasting more than a dozen pages. So, each one is a zoomed in glimpse of this whole wide world, in a way that was never possible in the sprawling epic that was the trilogy that traced the entire history of humanity's first few centuries on Mars. And in many cases each boils down to one idea or feeling, and in so doing highlights clearly another piece of what the original trilogy was about.
Not all the stories were thrilling or essential; for example, one is literally the first constitution of Mars, followed by an political retrospective analysis of said constitution -- not exactly high drama. But that's the beauty of it: these stories get their power from being set in this world that was already built by the trilogy, and in briefly hinting at the vastness and depth of it. Alltogether, these stories made me appreciate the underlying themes of the trilogy much more, and for that I think this collection is an utter success.
tregina's review against another edition
4.0
I've been rationing this book out to myself a story at a time, because I knew when I finished it, it would really really be over, but all good things and all that. Part side stories to the main trilogy, part what if tangents, it satisfied my craving to immerse myself in the world again. It didn't, nor could it, give me the depth and complexity of the original novels, but it allowed for exploration in the forgotten corners, and there are many times when I love that just as much.
mattpatt's review against another edition
3.0
So, this is my review for future readers like me who get to the end of Red/Green/Blue Mars and notice that there is another book. What is it? Should I read it?
This is a book of short stories. Except they're not all short stories. We see windows into characters who we only saw externally in the main series, like Coyote and Jackie. There are 'alternate histories' - what might have happened if things had been different (although not if Boone had survived, which would have made a big difference!). Some of the stories join together to tell one reasonably detailed story of one character across a couple of hundred years - I would say this is the main plot in the book, though these chapters are separated from each other by other material. Perhaps my favourite part was the full text of the constitution from the Pavonis Mons conference along with notes. There were chapters of little men/big man mythology. There were long sections about exploring the Martian wilderness - similar to the main trilogy. There were hints and patches about what came next after the end of Blue Mars. There were sections about the process of writing the trilogy, and poems of KSR's experiences in life and writing and musing.
Should you read this? You don't need to. The main trilogy is the main trilogy for a reason. But if you miss Mars and want a few final glimpses into the lives of Martians new and old, and you're happy to read long descriptions of rock climbing, it's a pretty good book.
This is a book of short stories. Except they're not all short stories. We see windows into characters who we only saw externally in the main series, like Coyote and Jackie. There are 'alternate histories' - what might have happened if things had been different (although not if Boone had survived, which would have made a big difference!). Some of the stories join together to tell one reasonably detailed story of one character across a couple of hundred years - I would say this is the main plot in the book, though these chapters are separated from each other by other material. Perhaps my favourite part was the full text of the constitution from the Pavonis Mons conference along with notes. There were chapters of little men/big man mythology. There were long sections about exploring the Martian wilderness - similar to the main trilogy. There were hints and patches about what came next after the end of Blue Mars. There were sections about the process of writing the trilogy, and poems of KSR's experiences in life and writing and musing.
Should you read this? You don't need to. The main trilogy is the main trilogy for a reason. But if you miss Mars and want a few final glimpses into the lives of Martians new and old, and you're happy to read long descriptions of rock climbing, it's a pretty good book.
bobreturns's review against another edition
4.0
Worth it for the climb up Olympus Mons alone. Possibly the best climbing story I've ever read.
Also a bit worried that Phyllis's goons might have destroyed the planet.
Also a bit worried that Phyllis's goons might have destroyed the planet.
led's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
edgeworth's review against another edition
2.0
Any book of short stories naturally has its strengths and weaknesses. "The Martians" is no different, except that it has far more misses than hits.
There are some great stories in here, as good as the original trilogy. The first one, "Michel in Antarctica," had a brilliant twist ending that made me actually say "wow" and had me determined to read the rest of the book, no matter how bad the subsequent stories might be. There were a few more good ones in there - the full text of the Martian constitution was in there, with notes on its genesis, and the short stories "Coyote Makes Trouble" and "Odessa" were also quite good.
The rest, unfortunately, are nowehere near up to scratch. One story in particular - the novella "Green Mars," written long before the actual trilogy - concerns a mountain-climbing expedition that stretches across an agonisingly tedious eighty pages.
If you absolutely loved the Mars trilogy, then of course you should read this (and no bad review will stop you). But if, like me, you thought the Mars trilogy was a decent series of books with some great features, but also a lot of boring, pointless or badly written features, then give it a miss.
If you read the entire trilogy, though, you really must read "Michel in Antarctica." Not a great story in itself but the twist ending is amazing, provided you've read the original trilogy.
There are some great stories in here, as good as the original trilogy. The first one, "Michel in Antarctica," had a brilliant twist ending that made me actually say "wow" and had me determined to read the rest of the book, no matter how bad the subsequent stories might be. There were a few more good ones in there - the full text of the Martian constitution was in there, with notes on its genesis, and the short stories "Coyote Makes Trouble" and "Odessa" were also quite good.
The rest, unfortunately, are nowehere near up to scratch. One story in particular - the novella "Green Mars," written long before the actual trilogy - concerns a mountain-climbing expedition that stretches across an agonisingly tedious eighty pages.
If you absolutely loved the Mars trilogy, then of course you should read this (and no bad review will stop you). But if, like me, you thought the Mars trilogy was a decent series of books with some great features, but also a lot of boring, pointless or badly written features, then give it a miss.
If you read the entire trilogy, though, you really must read "Michel in Antarctica." Not a great story in itself but the twist ending is amazing, provided you've read the original trilogy.