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Red Mars cover art

Red Mars

Written by: Kim Stanley Robinson
Narrated by: Richard Ferrone
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Publisher's Summary

Winner of the Nebula Award for Best Novel, Red Mars is the first book in Kim Stanley Robinson's best-selling trilogy. Red Mars is praised by scientists for its detailed visions of future technology. It is also hailed by authors and critics for its vivid characters and dramatic conflicts.

For centuries, the red planet has enticed the people of Earth. Now an international group of scientists has colonized Mars. Leaving Earth forever, these 100 people have traveled nine months to reach their new home. This is the remarkable story of the world they create - and the hidden power struggles of those who want to control it.

Although it is fiction, Red Mars is based on years of research. As living spaces and greenhouses multiply, an astonishing panorama of our galactic future rises from the red dust. Through Richard Ferrone's narration, each scene is energized with the designs and dreams of the extraordinary pioneers.

©1993 Kim Stanley Robinson (P)2000 Recorded Books

What the critics say

  • Nebula Award, Best Novel, 1993

"Generously blending hard science with canny insight into human strengths and weaknesses, this suspenseful sf saga should appeal to a wide range of readers." (Library Journal)
"The ultimate in future history." (Daily Mail)

What listeners say about Red Mars

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
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  • Joe
  • 2018-12-10

Not what you're expecting.

The cover copy states that there was mountains of scientific research that went into this book. Unfortunately it never actually made it onto the page. The first 100 fly to Mars and poof the colony is built and running. No explanation. How do they get around on the surface? They jump in a car and go. Food production? Heat and power generation? Waste and water management? Oxygen production? Physiological effects of lower gravity and increased radiation? Psychological effects of living in such an encapsulated environment? No exploration or explanation. So what are you left with? A twenty-three and a half hour squabble over what is the best political, social and economic ideology. It's as dry as the Sahara.

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15 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Narrator was monotone, not distinct characters.

Narrator was monotone, not distinct characters.

Writing was droning on as well. Too high expectations?

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

EXCELLENT

Some of the best hard SciFi ever written, I first read it as a teenager and it has influenced my thinking about the future, economics,and policies ever since.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wonderful! Absolutely Wonderful!

This book as a prefect science fiction. A beautifully written story as much about inhabiting Mars, as it is about human relationships and society. The character development is superb, Robinson captures the multidimensional aspects of personality, careful to highlight imperfection and duality. I can’t wait for the second instalment.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Gem!

Why did I wait so long to read this gem! This would make a great TV series. Can't wait to read Green and Blue.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Just could not get into it

Just could not get into the characters. Abandoned after 4 hours. Probably not a bad hood, just not for me. .

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great to listen

Have read Red Mars a couple times. Picked up on many details through the narration. Have wondered if narration is ever done with individual voices for each character. Perhaps sound effects as well. All good though.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brillante

The series is one of the greatest examples of hard science fiction in existence. The heart of all genres is humanity.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

More a novel about politics than colonizing Mars.

Not a bad book, but not what I was looking for. It had a lot to do about politics and political theory than what it would be like to live in the future colonizing our red neighbor. the story became very dry at times. A better version of this sort of story is The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by R. A. Heinlein.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

my favorite book

I've listened to this book maybe 10 times
Always will love it. you will too

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