Mommooshka
asked:
Do you need to read Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars Trilogy first to really understand and/or enjoy 2312?
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Jesse
I would not re-read 2312 if it was the last opportunity I'd ever have to read a book. Or if I had to read this before another book, I'd give up reading. It's so slow-moving that there's literally 20 pages where two characters walk and whistle. Whistling for 20 pages in a book. The first 40 pages set up a brilliant mystery, then the plot completely ignores this for the rest of the book.
Lucydad
No, 2312 stands by itself as a masterpiece...a beautiful journey
George
I disagree with Judi. The terraforming and other modifications to the solar system, humanity, etc., may be explored in Robinson's other work, but that doesn't mean they haven't been explored anywhere else. I'm halfway through and having no problem despite not having read his Mars books.
As for Jesse's complaint, the walking and whistling sequence was excellent. I enjoyed it, and the reference or two back to it since.
On the third hand, Jesse's complaint about this book is my complaint about Robinson's Memory of Whiteness. Mileages clearly vary.
As for Jesse's complaint, the walking and whistling sequence was excellent. I enjoyed it, and the reference or two back to it since.
On the third hand, Jesse's complaint about this book is my complaint about Robinson's Memory of Whiteness. Mileages clearly vary.
Alex
Nope, but the Mars trilogy is rad(!) so why not read it. Also, KSR says that 2312 is not explicitly in the same fictional universe as the Mars trilogy, but its own stand-alone universe with related elements (he does this a lot with character types and historical events in other novels. Once he's done an idea, he wants to build on it by doing other slightly different variations on it). The one thing I will say, before you read 2312, read the Wikipedia on the Mondragon Corporation. It comes up a lot in 2312 and isn't really explained (as it is in the Mars trilogy): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mondrag...
The KSR interview is here: https://www.sfsite.com/06a/ksr369.htm
The KSR interview is here: https://www.sfsite.com/06a/ksr369.htm
Judi Moore
2312 isn't an easy read if you haven't read about the galactic world that Robinson has been so deeply into for the past 20 years. It also helps with how Robinson's mind works (it is a rare and complex thing!) If you read it without that precognition you will need to take quite a few things on trust.
You All Everybody
I am unsure, however, after reading 2312, if its writing style is similar, there is not a chance in hell I will bother trying to read the Mars Trilogy lol
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