A review by robertrivasplata
Antarctica by Kim Stanley Robinson

adventurous challenging hopeful informative reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

 This novel feels like 45% Mitchner, 35% Crichton, 5% Ballard, 5% PKD, & 10%... unknown. Although Antarctica is set in the future & includes some speculation about the geological impacts of the Anthropocene on Antarctica, this novel is really mostly about the “thin” human history of Antarctica. Has some characteristics of the “90s thrillers that teach you real facts” genre, but with more of Robinson’s trademark optimism, & a little bit of PKD or Ballardian absurdism. The idea of Antarctic adventure tourism taking off, and in the form of punishing, guided trips in the footsteps of the heroic-age Antarctic explorers feels like something out of a PK Dick or JG Ballard story, as do the expeditions to “repatriate” the explorers’ artifacts to where they were abandoned in Antarctica. The Chinese geomancer character felt especially like someone from a PK Dick novel. Antarctica is my favorite of the 4 or 5 Kim Stanley Robinson books I’ve read, & Robinson’s writing about those early polar explorers is the best aesthetically & style-wise that I’ve seen him. The explanation of “Gotterdammerung capitalism” on page 57 is extremely relevant to understanding our present & recent history. I liked how the action did not get in the way of the vibes. I was somewhat pleasantly surprised to find that the "action" half of the novel is more like the "utopian vision" half of the novel. Robinson depicts an "artificial indigenous" egalitarian society which seems to subsist on seafood, hydroponics, remote work, & youtube follows (before youtub was invented). I liked the parts with the would-be “indigenous” or “feral” people, but I kind of feel like the book would have been stronger if they’d been left as more of a mystery, the way Viktor was. The part that felt most dated about this 25-year-old sci-fi book was its ideas about the political power of scientists & technocrats. Overall a great read that makes me want to read more about the polar explorers of both yesteryear and today.