Green Mars

A decent sequel to Red Mars, I was most interested in the continuation of the political storyline. Some of the familiar characters had good sections, others were a little too introspective for my taste. For some reason the technicalities of the geology and terraforming bored me, and there was something missing from the narrative that RM had. The Convention and third act are the best parts. For all my problems, the “point” of this series and what it's exploring is too interesting to put down. There's little like it that engages with what a revolution or alternative econ. structure would look like (with nuance and critical detail) if it was to be built alongside the modern neoliberal capitalism model. It's not perfect but it's refreshing, and relevant to modern day with parallel crises occurring on the periphery/Mars and in the interior/Earth.

Amazed once again by Kim Stanley Robinson. The books in this trilogy are so long, I catch myself drifting in and out of focus while listening. But that even seems okay as the plot shifts in intensity, giving you a tapestry of the ecological and governmental developments over a next half century.
Yet again, this is deliciously equal parts science and sociology, the creation and controlled management of systems of atmospheres and people. While Mars undergoes a potential phase change so does its population as they argue, organise and revolutionise their way towards a Martian independence from Earth. Yet what independence to choose?

As I read further in this series I like it more. I don't like it a ton but I liked this book better than the first in the series: [b:Red Mars 77507 Red Mars (Mars Trilogy, #1) Kim Stanley Robinson http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320484020s/77507.jpg 40712]. It continues to hold my interest and I want to find out what happens to the characters. I may like this book better because I like the point of view of the characters that are highlighted in this second book rather than those from the first. [a:Kim Stanley Robinson 1858 Kim Stanley Robinson http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1217240935p2/1858.jpg] writes the books in a series of sections from one character's point of view. Which in this case is a good thing because without it I may have gotten bored and not continued with the books. Usually when a author does write this way I'm disappointed to leave that point of view but in this case it allows me to be refreshed and continue on. I do think there are some significant holes in the science but I don't pay particular attention to this as a reader. I read to be entertained so as long as there is consistency in the story and no glaring or jarring discrepancies in the way the author builds their universe I accept and move on.