ergogretchen's review against another edition
2.0
I'm absolving myself of trying to read the last 50 pages of this book so I can move on with my life. Fascinating concepts, sweeping scope, incredible worldbuilding... utterly flat storytelling, unrelatable characters, zero plot. This book is exhausting.
sonofthe's review against another edition
5.0
Reading this makes me appreciate the world around me, makes me want to look at the sky more. Really, the novel is an idea-bomb exploding in my head giving me so many things to think about, but the beauty described in the solar system, especially the lack of regard people living on earth have for their own planet, makes me want to take more notice of things around me.
The language here is much more dense than the stuff I've been reading lately, but it was a refreshing change of pace, especially given how masterfully Robinson writes. I've had books of his sitting on my shelf for a while, but reading this will move them to the top of my to-read pile.
There were things in 2312 that excited me so much when I realized what was going on, how KSR had woven things into the story and used the characters and language to set off a wonderful idea later. Talking about them would be spoilery though, so I'll just say to read this book.
EDIT AFTER BROWSING A COUPLE NEGATIVE REVIEWS:
The things I've been reading lately (and have very much enjoyed) have been most of Scalzi's books in the Old Man's War world, Red Dragon, Throne of the Crescent Moon, and others. Those stories are fun, but they all mostly fit into the standard story structure currently found in popular novels and movies.
This is not that type of story. Which is not to say that there isn't any story here, as a couple reviews suggested. There is certainly a main story, and a world so rich that there can be a hundred others, but the story doesn't try to bring its standard events to the expected highs in the expected ways.
Hope this helps.
The language here is much more dense than the stuff I've been reading lately, but it was a refreshing change of pace, especially given how masterfully Robinson writes. I've had books of his sitting on my shelf for a while, but reading this will move them to the top of my to-read pile.
There were things in 2312 that excited me so much when I realized what was going on, how KSR had woven things into the story and used the characters and language to set off a wonderful idea later. Talking about them would be spoilery though, so I'll just say to read this book.
EDIT AFTER BROWSING A COUPLE NEGATIVE REVIEWS:
The things I've been reading lately (and have very much enjoyed) have been most of Scalzi's books in the Old Man's War world, Red Dragon, Throne of the Crescent Moon, and others. Those stories are fun, but they all mostly fit into the standard story structure currently found in popular novels and movies.
This is not that type of story. Which is not to say that there isn't any story here, as a couple reviews suggested. There is certainly a main story, and a world so rich that there can be a hundred others, but the story doesn't try to bring its standard events to the expected highs in the expected ways.
Hope this helps.
breyjoyous's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
One of those books that when you finish the story it tells you the story didn’t matter. Ugh.
annelives's review against another edition
3.0
After reading this, I realize that Hard Science Fiction is not my favorite genre. I think I would have liked this book more if it didn't have the extracts and lists. The main plot was engaging, and I felt that the extracts and lists detracted from it rather than adding to it.
jstamper2022's review against another edition
3.0
Doesn’t really start getting good until 100 or so pages in. It’s also a bit long winded and repetitive. Easily 4/5 star book if trimmed down and more interesting at the beginning, IMO.
timbo001's review against another edition
5.0
Possibly the best book I've read this year. Robinson manages to combine the world of huge ideas with the humane in ways that other sci-fi writers can't quite manage. His ideas on terraforming are breathtaking.
_pickle_'s review against another edition
2.0
Quite a dull book: there are moments that are quite interesting, or emotive story beats, but these are so diluted by the rest of the book which seems poorly paced, poorly edited, and just not a compelling novel.
k_doc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
guto_carioca's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed many of the concepts but it feels like it could have been shorter.
tronella's review against another edition
3.0
Eh. I really liked the setting and plot, but the main character was so annoying that it turned into a bit of a slog. The romance subplot seemed really out of left field to me as well, but perhaps just because I disliked that character so much that it seemed ludicrous that anyone would be in love with her. (Or maybe I just hate romance.)