From: bweimann@exit109.com
Subject: Re: Kim Stanley Robinson's trilogy
Date: Tue, 6 May 1997 11:50:40 -0400 (EDT)
Dear Jan, I would like to add my voice to the recommendations for KimStanley Robinson's trilogy. I finished reading Red Mars, sadly, a few weeks ago, and have been eagerly awaiting the delivery of Green Mars to our school library from our county system. Toward the end of Red Mars, I began reading ever so slowly, a chapter at a time, so sorry to see the experience come to an end. Truly one of the most impressive works of science fiction I have ever read. As I hesitantly approched the end of the novel, I was happy to be able to remind myself that there were indeed two more books I could look forward to. It has been a long time since I've enjoyed a sci-fi book this much. The scientific explanations of all the procedures involved in colonization and the ecological results thereof were so exceptionally well done they seemed totally plausible, and answered many of the questions I have had in this regard. All the scienctific explanations seemed totally believable. It will be interesting to see how much of all of this will eventually be realized. Hmmmm, let's see how long can I live? When was it that we were hoping to put the first men on Mars, 2018.<BG> My class and I figured it out the other day, and we decided I could make it. I'll be 85. Too old for the trip, but still young enough to enjoy it. I remember seeing the first men walk on the moon. What an exciting night that was. Now I want to be able to see the first men walk on Mars too. For those of us so deeply engrossed in the exploration of the red planet, and so filled with scientific and ethical questions regarding possible future colonization, this trilogy is a must, IMHO after reading only the first book. According to the reviews, this second book, Green Mars, promises to be equally rewarding. Unfortunately, as you said, Jan; there are those few "adult" episodes which are making me hesitate to recommend it to my rather " immature" secondary students. And I am not sure most of my kids could make it through the few more political/philosophical portions. I must say, I found these latter parts to be quite enlightening and highly readable. In all, a really fascinating, totally absorbing sci-fi experience. (Could this be because of my involvement in all our LFM activities?<BG> ) Barb At 09:18 AM 5/6/97 -0500, you wrote: >Dear discuss-lfm members, > >Just to expand on the Robinson trilogy -- *Red Mars, Green Mars >and Blue Mars* that Bob Albrecht mentioned... > >["I think that Kim Stanley Robinson's trilogy Red Mars, Green Mars, and Blue >Mars are the best science fiction books about a realizable fantasy..."] > >This trilogy is truly a significant resource for those seeking >an excellent sci-fi series on Mars and it's colonization. Red >Mars is the winner of the 1993 Nebula Award for Best Novel and >Green Mars wond the 1994 Hugo Award for Best Novel. The books >are written for the older reader (high school level) and represent >a considerable reading goal for many youths at 572-600+ pages long. >As a cautionary note... there are a few (and I do mean *few*) >limited scenes dealing with more "mature themes". > >If you are a sci-fi lover, this trilogy will prove to be a >terrific read. If you have advanced students, no doubt, they >too will find Robinson's reads exciting and some of the best >science fiction writing ever. > >Thanks for sharing Mars-related resources, Bob. > >Jan Wee, moderator > > > > > >