Just couldn't get into it.

3.5☆ rounded up due to the narration by Richard Ferrone.

I am not sure what to say about this book. I felt simultaneously that it had too much detail and not enough! Certain scenes in which lists of things where given (e.g. types of lichen or fungus) were boring to me but overall the book held my interest. I was a bit frustrated by the fact that John's murder was never solved & Frank escaped retribution (except what he visited upon himself) and seemed to be no big deal after the initial setup hinted that it would be pivotal.

I was also a little troubled by a problem with the narration that shouldn't affect anyone else. I listened to a lot of Bernie Rhodenbarr audiobooks last year, narrated by Richard Ferrone. So when I started this audiobook also narrated by Ferrone, I kept thinking that it was Bernie speaking which wasn't at all appropriate for the story. After a few hours, this difficulty faded but it distracted me quite a bit at first!
( )

Everyone in the book is depressed or mentally ill. The one character who isn't insane is addicted to pills. Story doesn't flow. ( )

I expected a tale about the colonization of Mars to be largely about humans versus an inhospitable landscape. Instead, it was primarily humans against humans - which, upon reflection, is the leading obstacle to most things. I am in awe at the persuasively written impact humans had to an entire planet in 35 Earth years. Although the first colonization launch date and technological/etc. advancement is way optimistic for 2026 (first published in 1992). I'm a sucker for lifespan extension consequences. Will continue to dive in. ( )

Superbly detailed. Maybe too detailed. But most of the detail is great. ( )