Moving Mars

by Greg Bear

book data

340 ratings, 3.73 average rating, 25 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		20%
4		38%
3		35%
2		4%
1		1%

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published

May 1st 2007 (first published 1993) by Orb Books

binding

Paperback, 448 pages

literary awards

Nebula Award for Best Novel (1994), Hugo Award for Best Novel nominee (1994), John W Campbell Memorial Award Best Novel nominee (1994)

isbn

0765318237 (isbn13: 9780765318237)

description

A revolution is transforming the formerly passive Earth-colony of Mars. While opposing political factions on Mars battle for the support of colonists,...more

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100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books set on or about Mars

58 books | 31 voters

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04/15/09

Warren rated it:

bookshelves: science-fiction

Read in July, 2005

As a fairly regular reader of science-fiction, I had seen many of Greg Bear’s novels on the shelves at my local library. I can be rather narrow-minded when it comes to exploring new authors. I vaguely recall having read at least one other Greg Bear novel; so long ago I don’t even remember the title. My local library has a very limited selection of science fiction available and I had pretty much exhausted all the novels by authors I regularly read. I’m glad I did choose the book; it was...more As a fairly regular reader of science-fiction, I had seen many of Greg Bear’s novels on the shelves at my local library. I can be rather narrow-minded when it comes to exploring new authors. I vaguely recall having read at least one other Greg Bear novel; so long ago I don’t even remember the title. My local library has a very limited selection of science fiction available and I had pretty much exhausted all the novels by authors I regularly read. I’m glad I did choose the book; it was an enjoyable and thought provoking read.

The novel centers around the life of Casseia Majumdar, at a point in future history when colonies have long been established on the Moon, and the colonies established on Mars are at a crucial turning point in their development. It is the mid 22nd century, and the Martian colonies are just beginning to flex their muscles. All of the existing technology on Mars is of Earth origin, but Mars has begun to develop it’s own new technologies; technologies that go beyond what humankind thought possible. Into this world Casseia is born.

Written as if it were her memoir, the novel takes the reader through Casseia’s life, chronicling her life as she grows from timid college student to confident world leader. As her life story unfolds, the reader is exposed to Casseia’s world, a world where the Earth’s economy dominates both the Moon and Mars’ economies. Casseia finds herself at the focal point of the Martian colonies’ desire for unification and independence, devoting her entire life to what seems to many as an unobtainable dream.

The plot moved slowly at first, the author taking at least the first half of the book’s 400 plus pages to fully outline and develop the solar system’s political system as well as a completely credible Martian archeological history. The solar system’s political system and economy has the earth at its center, interacting with the economies of Mars (a loosely affiliated group of fiercely independent colonies) and the Moon (whose economy the Earth almost completely controls).
Mars’s archeological history is detailed and complete, a rich fossil history of plant and animal life that many scientists suspect may not be dead but simply dormant.

As the plot progresses, the two histories are threaded together to create a very real backdrop on which the story can unfold. Although this extensive background history slows the progression of the plot until well into the novel, it is necessary groundwork for the story’s climax and eventual conclusion.

Moving Mars took me at least half again as long to read as a book of it’s length usually does, primarily because of the sizable portion of the novel devoted to “situation development”. I didn’t find the book an easy read, but the rich deep story development and the beautifully constructed conclusion made the read well worthwhile.

The science of Bear’s future was also seamless and quite plausible. The reader is drawn into a future filled with magnetic levitation trains that crisscross the Martian surface; self-aware “thinker” computers are utilized as super intelligent advisors; implanted intelligence or knowledge “enhancements” are routine. A future science called nanotechnology, utilizing molecule-sized machines to build, inspect or repair, is commonplace. All this science and more are woven into the fabric of the story in such a way that it invisibly strengthens and reinforces the plot.

To me, Moving Mars was an exploration into the “growing pains” a budding planetary colony might face as it grew from mere colony to independent intity. The problems it might experience as it sought to “break the bonds” that bound it to the Earth’s political system and economy.

Characters were there to humanize the drama. I didn’t often empathize with the characters. Took on more of a historical re-enactment sort of flavor. The characters did come alive for me, but I felt as if they were sort of peripheral to the future history being told.

If you prefer a fast paced novel, Moving Mars may not be for you. The book takes a long time to come to its climax. Ultimately, I enjoyed the book. I felt that the time taken to lay out all the material and the rich tapestry it created when woven all together made the read much more enjoyable in the end. If you enjoy a good thought provoking novel, I heartily recommend Moving Mars.

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11/03/08

Tim rated it:

(review of isbn 0812524802)

bookshelves: science-fiction

Read in October, 2008

Good, well-written science fiction. This isn't the brick-like tomes of hard sci-fi about Mars coming from Robinson, but isn't exactly light on technical details. Some have expressed the feeling of being a little lost on account of the scientific/mathematical aspects in the story. I wasn't sure I liked it at first, since the story takes a number of twists and turns as it progresses. This isn't a story about Mars—this is a memoir of the main character. We follow her from her days a reluctant (an...more

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04/01/08

Dana rated it:

bookshelves: science-fiction

Read in April, 2008

I actually read this book for the first time back in either middle school or early high school. I remembered liking it, so I bought it for my boyfriend when I saw it in a used bookstore many years later while in graduate school. I just reread it, and it is fascinating to me how much of it I didn't remember. What I had retained from the first reading was just a sense, a feel, an impression of what life would be like on Mars. I had grown up watching Star Trek and Babylon 5, so this was fun and int...more

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12/23/08

Matt rated it:

bookshelves: science-fiction

Read in January, 2002

This is one of the two novels by Bear that I have enjoyed. The other being "Blood Music."

This novel features a lot of interesting nano technology in action, and a re-used Bear idea that everthing can be reduce to information and therefore if you want to move Mars you actually can just by tweaking its location information.

The main plot is of a Martian colonist revolt, but it is not the highlight of the novel, the science fiction ideas are the main event.
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08/10/08

Stephen rated it:

bookshelves: science-fiction

Read in September, 2008

4.5 to 5.0 stars. This is a fantastic novel. Greg Bear gives the reader a very well rounded view of a future Mars (and Earth) and provides fascinating ideas about a variety of topics, including future politics (both Earth and Mars), artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and genetic engineering. I enjoyed the way Bear addressed each of these topics and made them both accessible and very interesting. All of the above is enough to highly recommend this book. However, when you add in the "maj...more

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04/20/09

Mk rated it:

Read in April, 2009

Hot damn Greg Bear knows what good is. Its not often I consciously love the protagonist of a first-person narrative. Casseia Majumdar was a very intriguing heroine, determined to lead Mars into its first actual government. Moving Mars details an arms race between two neighboring planets and that shit scares the fuck out of me.

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10/19/08

Theo rated it:

(review of isbn 0812524802)

bookshelves: martian, science-fiction

Read in December, 2008

An awesome book from beginning to end. It's the story of Casseia Majumdar, a Martian who enters a career in politics during a time when Mars seeks to gain independence from an increasinly hostile Earth bent on preserving her hold on Mars's natural resources. The book has everything you want for a great read - interesting characters you actually care about, politics, society, romance, physics - it kept me up late more than one night trying, not wanting to put it down. I'd recommend this to SF r...more

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06/22/09

Elizabeth rated it:

Read in June, 2009

Fast read, great story, a very cool world Mr. Bear creates in this book.

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03/30/08

Macgregor rated it:

Read in April, 2008

So, I finished this all of 5 minutes ago, and I'm just blown away. I liked Blood Music and Forge of God, but this one was incredible. Bear has an appreciation for the mystery and wonder of the human and the cosmic, and weaves them in a way that would make Arthur C. Clarke proud. Since reading Red Mars, Mars has become a sort of minor fascination for me, and I had been eyeing this book on my shelf for far too long. I should probably work more on this review later, but I had to get some thoughts...more

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04/29/08

Carrie rated it:

bookshelves: sf

Read in April, 2005

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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12/16/08

Abe rated it:

(review of isbn 0812524802)

bookshelves: science-fiction

Read in February, 2009

Another great Greg Bear novel. It's amazing how much story and detail he packs into just 500 pages. Like most of Bear's books, "Moving Mars" has a heavy, almost haunting quality about it. And like the best science fiction stories the science takes a back seat to the characters. This book in many ways reminds me of Heinlein's classic "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress," but without Heinlein's tongue and cheek humor.

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10/30/07

Kristin rated it:

Read in October, 2007

recommends it for: Craig, Dad

Kip really liked this book, but a lot of it was unfortunately over my head. I think Craig and Dad with their strong scientific backgrounds would get more from it that I did. I also got bored with the politics that took up a good portion of the middle and I felt the main character was half-hearted in a lot of ways. There were some interesting concepts (the ones I understood), though, and I enjoyed reading it.

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06/23/08

Jason Pitre rated it:

(review of isbn 0812524802)

Read in June, 2008

This was an excellent novel, both classical in plot yet fresh and interesting in comparison to the rest of Greg Bear's work. This has a good mix of science fiction, hard scientific/mathematical concepts and politics. If you have been dissuaded by the overly political machinations of the USA on earth in the other Greg Bear novels, you will find Moving Mars to be a breath of fresh air.

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07/04/07

Kip rated it:

bookshelves: sci-fi

Read in March, 2007

Great book in the hard science fiction category: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_science_fiction]. Mars has been settled by earthlings, but it is a backward planet compared to Earth. This book follows the life of one Martian and her experiences with politics, love, revolution, and technology. It's always fun to root for the underdog - Go Martians!

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09/21/08

Fuzzy John rated it:

This is a clever book that could have benefited from being about 50 pages shorter. There are some brilliant portions regarding negotiations between Earth and Mars that tie in nicely the interaction of human failings and the larger goals that that human is trying to achieve. Well worth the time, but drags on in several spots.

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10/12/08

Bria rated it:

Read in January, 2006

If you are having trouble getting in to this book, please, as a personal favor to me, stick with it. It is worth it! Eventually you will discover that you are still reading it without even noticing, and that its pages are wet with the salty tears of your unbridled optimism's disappointment that it is not real.

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03/21/07

Dev rated it:

All Bear's stories are challenging and thought provoking, though sometimes to the point of headache inducing as one tries to wrap his mind around mathematical constructs that actually exist.

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08/11/08

Tomi rated it:

Excellent! I was drawn in to the point I thought the Mars tech was real. I spent a couple of days wondering if I could afford an enhancement and which would I choose. Good ending!

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09/13/08

Rick is currently reading it

bookshelves: currently-reading

It's interesting so far, I haven't been reading it but listening to unabrdgd audio (I live in my car - thank god for iPod)

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