Kim Stanley Robinson’s new SF novel, 2312, starts around page 70. Robinson develops a solar society of space colonies on Mercury, Venus (being terraformed), Mars, the asteroid belt, and the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. On top of all this, Robinson introduces possible murders committed by (or with the assistance of) quantum computers (early artificial intelligence). At 561 pages, 2312 is one of those big Summer Books people take to the beach. There’s plenty here to ponder. GRADE: B
Have you read Robinson’s THE YEARS OF RICE AND SALT? An alternate history novel about what would have happened if the plague had wiped out most of Europe and Middle-Eastern and Asian countries colonized the West rather than vice-versa. A challenging book, but a rewarding one.
I have a copy of Robinson’s THE YEARS OF RICE AND SALT, Deb. I’ll give it a try in a month or two on your recommendation!
I’ve been hesitant about this one, primarily due to it’s length. Robinson does have a habit of going on and on, slowing whatever action there might have bee, or was even anticipated. This tempts me to skim, by which I know I’m missing good stuff, but gee, just get on with it.
Once again you’ve put your finger on Robinson’s weakness, Rick. He does info-dumps that really slow down the plot. Yes, it’s interesting that the core of the moon Io is three times hotter than the Earth’s core. But, I’d rather learn know about the possible AI murderers!