Getting far enough into the future that Robinson can let his imagination soar, this lovely book completes one of the most remarkable works of fiction from the 20th century. The mesmerizing detail and epic sweep of this volume, and the trilogy as a whole, are nothing less than astonishing. ( )

Exceptionally difficult to review. This is a thoroughly gripping book without any trace of a plot whatsoever. It covers and touches upon a huge range of themes and is perhaps a shining example of literary SF, the impact technology and science has on society, and how people within that society can react to that. It is highly focused to an individual level viewpoint, but at the same time widely viewing greater societal changes.

The narrative style is the same as the first two books - each section is tight third person prose from the viewpoint of one of the central characters - not always a remaining member of the First Hundred, but mostly. However many of the section in this book are much shorter than in the previous volumes, giving us greater jumps thorugh time (and space). Although it is difficult to keep precise track, Blue Mars covers something like 100 terran years.

The plot such as it is, contains the same pressures that featured in Green Mars - and over burdened earth attempting to ease it's gerontolically extended population pressures, and a still inhospitable Mars, trying to preserve it's way of life. Sax Russell is again the chief protagonist - scientist hero - exploring the consequences of extended age and the complexities of memory while his friends including the ever defiant Ann, attempt to finesse the politicing. With asides and diversions everywhere, mostly into sociology and governance but also what science IS, and aspects of geology and ecology.

As with the earlier novels some of the actual technological speculations are at best unlikely - quantum effectes are far too unstable at metabolic tmeperatures to play any signigicant part in memory effects for example, and Aldebaran is a few hundred years away rather than the 20 or so stated - but these minor technical niggles don't detract from the studies of hummanity that the rest of the book is based on.

It's a wonderful meandering and rambling account of the problems of being old amoung other things, and has huge references to todays problems - immigration and climate change, how we repsect the environment, what it means to be human and of course love. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone, but for anyone who loves to get to grips with a slow novel go out and read, settle down and enjoy all it's quirks.

Hiroko where art thou? ( )

The final book in the trilogy has Mars independant of Earth but still fighting not to be taken over with immigrants. A hard battle to win when Earth is at breaking point and are willing to release the pressure at any cost.

Greens and Reds joing forces and become the superior party on Mars not to everyones liking. But the people spoke.

The first on hundred are getting less and less as quick decline takes hold. Their minds not being able to keep up with their bodies living to such an old age. Can the remaining one hundred find a cure to this problem? Also try and secure Mars for one last time?

The third book shows the growing pains coming to and end and brings the strands of the story to a close. It shows how a new world can grow up and lead in a way that avoids conflict and death. A fitting end to a great trilogy. ( )

Mars has been developed to such an extent that people can actually walk around outside for some periods of time with not a lot of technological assistance.

The First Hundred remnants are reaching the limits of their longevity treatments, and when they lose their psychological anchor due to old age, have some problems. They still have to keep low profile to avoid undue attention, and deal with how old they actually are.

Earth is collapsing, and Mars faces a huge influx of population. The two scientific camps, often violently opposed, are led by Sax on one Hand, and Ann on the other.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2007/01/blue-mars-kim-stanley-robinson.html ( )

Mars has been developed to such an extent that people can actually walk around outside for some periods of time with not a lot of technological assistance.

The First Hundred remnants are reaching the limits of their longevity treatments, and when they lose their psychological anchor due to old age, have some problems. They still have to keep low profile to avoid undue attention, and deal with how old they actually are.

Earth is collapsing, and Mars faces a huge influx of population. The two scientific camps, often violently opposed, are led by Sax on one Hand, and Ann on the other.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2007/01/blue-mars-kim-stanley-robinson.html ( )