Review: Green Mars

REDWORLDER RATING: 8.7/10

OVERVIEW:

The sequel to Red Mars, Green Mars is the story of Martian colonists working toward various (often competing) personal missions for the planet. The overarching conflicts include life-or-death struggles for control of the planet's resources, the terraforming effort (which is now very much in full swing), and experimenting with directions to take the planet economically and politically.

CONCLUSION:

Part of a true must-read trilogy for anyone who has any interest in Mars (make sure to do so after Red Mars). I also recommend it for it's idea sharing, it's literary attention to color and the beauty of the planet, and for some of its most endearing characters (my personal favorite being Michel Duval, the French-Martian trained psychologist). Nirgal, Nadia, Art, and Sax are very endearing in my opinion as well, and even the less endearing characters like Anne and Maya are damn fascinating to watch as they shape the future of the planet. 

MUSINGS:

I'm going to try something new with the book reviews here. Originally, I tried an overview, pros, cons, and a final word. This time, and maybe from now on, I'm going to try a much shorter overview and conclusion, followed by this kind of peak at the world or investigation into one of my favorite ideas of the book. For instance, with this trilogy, Robinson's use of color amazes me. He doesn't just use color for the titles in order to symbolize the progression of Martian terraformation (or "areoformation" as some in the book prefer to imagine). Color is used extensively throughout the books by his characters to get across distinct perspectives (literal perception of the environment, and psychological filters) when they look at Mars.

In Red Mars, and continuing with more urgency into Green Mars, is the question over whether Mars should retain its primal monochromatic beauty (the position of the faction known as Reds), or whether bringing to life a desert planet ultimately provides the greater meaning (people who take this position, or are just generally not with the Reds, are sometimes known collectively as "greens". Pointedly lowercase, as opposed to Reds, as they aren't a single faction so much as a host of different groups with very different priorities).

For a character like Anne, red is a color devoid of the pain and remorseless quality of life, while Hiroko sees the greening quality of the universe as the essence of purpose and beauty. In Green Mars, it's becoming increasingly apparent that the Red cause to maintain or return the planet to a pre-arrival state is lost. What's more, in spite of the explosive attempts at an uprising against the Earth-based metanationals in 2061, the revolution's goal was ultimately a total failure. The surviving colonists now either live under the wary eye of the returned and entrenched metanationals, or they've been in hiding in the Martian outback for years.

The newest generation, true natives of Mars, are coming into their own in this environment and beginning to determine for themselves what kind of world they want to see. The best of this new generation is Nirgal. Born in hiding, where a handful of the first colonists have formed a polar sanctuary under the southern ice. Nirgal tends to see things differently, demonstrating remarkable understanding and abilities, along with an equally remarkable approach-ability and humanity. Like Hiroko, Nirgal can easily see the defiant "green" force ("Viriditas" as Hiroko names it) fighting tirelessly to add more complexity to the universe. He can also appreciate the passive power of the "red" force that Anne loves (the only force she trusts), waiting out the green, seemingly unaware of the frantic tide of life. He can see the ordering tendency which he thinks of as white simultaneously resisting the chaos of the green, while helping it to gain purchase over the unhelpful red. The colors are useful symbols of these forces that pervade the actions and motivations of every character.

How much each character is willing to compromise their dedication to the purity of one "color" or another is an expression of the deeper conflict. How much change be allowed before what exists evolves so much that it's effectively dying to give way to what could be? Is the essence of Mars, and what it means to be a Martian, changing or dying? Or is it really coming into being for the first time?

How much order can be allowed to cut back on the complexity? Does too much "balance" represent an oppression that defeats the purpose of life? How can extremists with mutually exclusive goals overcome a common threat or oppression when the outcome of their victory will set a course in one direction or another?

These are the sort of questions that arise in Green Mars within the context of a changing planet and a second attempt at revolution (this time carefully organized by the old timers, and energized by the native generations). It's enthralling to see the events of change, and the balance that begins (with great difficulty) to take shape between the forces as people attempt to remake (or maintain) the status quo of the Red Planet.

I highly recommend it (after reading Red Mars). Amazon link below:
http://www.amazon.com/Green-Mars-Trilogy-Book/dp/0553572393

Review: Red Mars

REDWORLDER RATING: 8.9/10

  I begin this review by saying that my intention for the last few months has been to find the best Mars books to recommend as part of my larger focus on fully defining areoculture. The trilogy to which this book belongs may well be the best series set on Mars ever written (so said the many reviews which lead me to it), and I fully intend to find out now that I've been drawn in. I'm already well into the sequel, Green Mars, and so far I maintain that Red Mars is a cornerstone of Red World literature.

  As Arthur C. Clarke is quoted as saying on the cover, "A staggering book. The best novel on the colonization of Mars that has ever been written. It should be required reading for the colonists of the next century."

   Red Mars begins in the in medias res, with the colonies on Mars established, and the "First Hundred" acknowledged with respect (almost reverence) as the elders who travel between the colonies propping up new projects with guidance and the occasional speech.

   From the start, we see that conflict between some members of the first colonists has been stewing for some time. The first chapter gives a taste of the exotic world, the innovations, and ends with a startling assassination before launching us back to the time before the First Hundred left Earth and into the mind of a different character.

   As the story of the First Hundred progresses, we switch every so often to a brand new perspective from one of the original settlers. Each have extremely distinct personalities, points of view, and agendas.

   From Earth to the space voyage, and the days of the first settlement to the widely settled and rebellious phase. From determinations to terraform in conflict with equal determination to maintain the pristine desert, or the arguably reckless desire to forge an independent society opposing those who would maintain ties with a destabilizing Earth. For nostalgia or greed or fear or sentiment or idealism, the motivations and shifting theaters make Red Mars both epic and engaging.

   The Science, from physical to psychological, and the Politics, social and planetary, feel real and engaging. Characters you route for might have agendas you hate, and vice versa. Watching them, experiencing what they experience, easily brings your own personality and positions into the Martian landscape that Kim Stanley Robinson created.

   By seemingly covering every possible position, idea, and character he could on a newly settled Mars (while maintaining a cohesive story), Robinson makes it feel like nothing more could be better written on the subject of settling the planet.  

  Pros:

• Kim Stanley Robinson takes the time to develop dozens of distinct personalities (how he does it seems to be illustrated explicitly in one chapter in particular actually), which love, ally, and hate each other in extremely successful ways.
• You really can't help but love some of those characters. You gain biases for some, which can wax and wane as the story progresses. Overall, the effect is that you feel you're integrated within these peoples' relationship network (the quiet person that gets invited everywhere, as it were).
• The story describes Mars both highly scientifically (particularly at the beginning of most chapters with fascinating information specific to Mars) and poetically (with long beautiful descriptions of landscapes and natural processes that make it easy to fall in the love with the planet the way only a local can).
• You route for the bad guys and the good guys at different times and to different degrees. What remains constant is a feeling that, even if you completely disagree with the actions of a character, you feel you understand them. The politics throughout is really well done, somewhat innovative, and the relationship dynamics are just as good.

  Cons:

• If you're not into the science, and you're in it only for the character development, there will be times when you feel less engaged. I recommend looking at these tangents as opportunities to get into character, to know what the First Hundred know, or what you might be expected to know as a settler yourself. To some extent everyone on Mars is a scientist.
• If you're not into poetry or relationships, you might similarly feel like you're on a tangent at times. In that case, consider that you'd find it unavoidable to appreciate the beauty of your new home and appreciate others, or risk dangerous depression and/or isolation from highly stressed peers. The point being, that even the challenges of this book seem to be tailored to preparing humans for a new world.
• The first chapter was the weakest with me, I would have preferred to start from the chronological beginning. Starting with the aforementioned assassination was fine for implying there would be conflict (and it certainly didn't disappoint), but I didn't love the characters or KSR's vision of Mars until after the first chapter ended. As it was, I was ready to give the book a shot, but I wasn't sold on it until I started the second chapter.

  Final Word:

    As I said, this might well be a cornerstone of Martian culture, today and well into the future. The author feels highly proficient in his trade, and the book easily covers everything needed to satisfy even the most powerful hunger for all things Martian (trust me, I know). If you'd sign up to live on Mars, then there's no question - Red Mars will be a favorite. 

Get it from Amazon today, and enjoy!

Areodefined

Here are just some quick definitions I've improvised with the prefix "Areo-", relating concepts to Mars (Ares). Established precedents include Areology (the study of Mars), and Areography (mapping Mars):

Areoaesthetics (n): "The appreciation, production, and study of art, culture, and natural beauty relating to Mars." 

Areoculture (n): "The products of human life shaped by thought on or relating to Mars." 

Areophile (n): "A person who is attracted to the planet Mars."

Aresian (n): As an alternative to Martian, similar to the use of Terran instead of Earthling. "A person belonging to the planet Mars."

Red Sol Haiku

Red Morning Haiku

White sun rises late.

Weak wind lifts the finest dust.

Breath quickens with ease.

Red Noon Haiku

Canyons flood with light.

Cold mist boils free from ice.

Slow sweat runs unchecked.

Red Evening Haiku

Craters pool their shade.

Dead titans resist the night.

Plans make room for dreams.

Red Night Haiku

Stars gaze steadily.

The sons of War fly unleashed.

Tired hands caress.

  

  I think it's easier to translate the value of a place when it's described by an artistic tradition. So, adding to the body of art concerning Mars can only help us all appreciate the beauty possible on a new world. To that end, I've begun a "Red Sol" poetry section beginning with this post.

Review: Moving Mars

Redworlder Review Rating: 4.5/5

  This is my first book review for this blog. My intention is to focus primarily on Mars books, and write everything (including the synopsis) so that it's as clear and accurate for my fellow SciFi book lovers.

    Casseia Majumdar gives us an account of the most critical time in her life and human history. She traces the course of events that lead her from being a model "govmanagement" student to a starry-eyed revolutionary to a seasoned politician, appropriately terrified for the future of her planet. 

    We see Mars and Martian society through a number of perspectives, as Casseia's understanding of Mars (and Earth) deepens and evolves tremendously throughout the book.

    She belongs to one of the more powerful family syndicates that have traditionally managed a compartmentalized society on Mars, and we discover the many individual and partisan opinions of what the political future of Mars should be. 

    Casseia's personal development runs in parallel with that of Martian society as a whole. They both must learn to take on the immense responsibility of change with maturity and courage, a challenge Mars has so far avoided by its commitment to self reliance and independence.

    Earth's answer to avoiding the danger is unity, and the clash between the societies' insoluble approaches are leading humanity to the edge. Earth simply can't trust Mars with independence anymore, and unity would effectively mean the end of Martian society.

    Meanwhile, there are those who are in awe of Mars's past and the scale of what we have left to understand about the universe. Casseia is attracted, and intimidated, by the power of Charles Franklin's vision of Mars and reality.

    However, she isn't prepared to surrender herself or her planet to change on the wrong terms. Casseia must find a way for humanity to adapt to its newly found powers without sacrificing its soul.

  Pros:

• Excellent interplanetary dichotomy. Earth versus Mars in terms of politics, society, and science is very distinct and fascinating.
• Intricate but accessible history, cultural backgrounds, and geography on Mars. The story of ancient life on Mars is not central to the story's conflict, but it features prominently in the lives of key individuals. The fact that it's not at the center of the conflict actually serves the credibility of the richly imagined ecosystem.
• Well defined characters, for the most part. With the exception of a certain group of individuals which are basically interchangeable, the key players are recognizable and likable.
• Meaningful purpose. The contrast of life on Earth versus Mars, and their conflict, illustrates a very real problem we actually have to confront. Human-changing technologies won't wait for us to be ready for them, and they won't arrive one at a time. We can't guarantee unity, and we can't guarantee trust between empowered independent groups in reach of each other. If we don't take on appropriate levels of responsibility for the extreme power that will be available to us in the coming decades and centuries - it could well mean the end for humanity.

  Cons:

• You can't just get by on the characters, this story was meant to be appreciated for its politics and setting.
• Unless you're into geography, you might get tired of all the (impressive) attention to detail concerning real world places on Mars. The descriptions of landscapes are fantastic, assuming you're enthralled by alien deserts.
• Be prepared to be pulled around quite a bit, physically and theoretically. The shift between very different locations could be jarring, as well as the mind-boggling ideas embraced late in the book.

  Final Word:

    If you're tired of swimming through mediocre books on Mars, here's an excellent find for you. The characters are endearing and do their work, but you'll be most satisfied if you've come to explore. You'll discover some impressive ideas, and a settled Mars you'll grow thoroughly at home with.

Get it from Amazon today, and enjoy!

TPA1 Demonstration

  As an addendum to the The Human Script, I thought I'd include a demonstration of what I created after the fashion of my favorite language/script site, Omniglot. Below is a sample of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in three different forms.

From the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

  The first section is my script, TPA1 (Terran Phonetic Alphabet 1). I used the English-biased version since it's a lot easier to pick up and use as a native English speaker and typist. You can find the font file for it in The Human Script post.

  The second section is the short hand way I mapped phonetic English to a keyboard. ('E' is a long 'e', 'S' is a 'sh', 'T' is a hard 'th' - as in "them", 'D' is a soft 'th' as in "three", and so on. You can see the full mapping in the original post.)

  The final section is the Latin alphabet version of Article 1 of the Declaration of Human Rights.

  They'd all be read roughly the same way, this image is just meant to illustrate what the script looks like.

Rocks from Water

Photo Credit: Nasa

  On the left, a Martian rock formed in highly acidic water (photographed by Opportunity) and, on the right, one formed in very neutral water (from Curiousity). The one on the right, unlike the one on the left, belonged to an environment of relatively fresh water with chemical gradients that would have been conducive to the metabolism of microorganisms.

  Abundant warm wet environments persisted on Mars from (very) roughly 4.5 to 3.0 billion years ago (and water persisted on the surface even as the planet started to dry for another billion years or so). Within the same time span, Earth had abundant primitive life.

  Being smaller, and thereby cooling faster, Mars probably even had some hundreds of millions of years on Earth to harbor life first. I'd be fairly surprised if we found fossils of very complex life on Mars, but I'd be equally surprised if there weren't evidence of very primitive life hiding away in its most ancient rock formations.

  Honestly, I think there's a good chance Gale Crater itself might have a surprise in store for us.

  For more information, check out the source link:
  http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/details.php?id=PIA16833