An unusually realistic (& depressing) dystopia.

As a literary experiment, a novel without a single likable character and no conclusion is an interesting concept. But, it makes for a deeply unsatisfying experience for the reader.

Like any Robinson novel, the writing is excellent and the science impeccable. The premise is interesting. But, this is a novel that hates the world, humankind, and the reader. A future filled with petty, selfish jerks who never achieve their objectives may be realistic, but it isn't any fun to read about.

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9 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Great characters, don’t look for closure

KSR has grown on me. Despite his sharp left turns in plots, and the sometimes disappointing and less than heroic realistic conclusions to some stories, he is enthralling to read. His flawed characters striving for more mixed with hard hard science make for a great binge weekend. I hope that the ship of fools gets its own book.

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5 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Not my personal favorite(:

The more KSR you read or listen to the better it gets. The factoids and story build. For example, this story mentions several times the mirrors that were initially placed in the original trilogy.

As with most of KSR's writing there is techno-speak, that accurate or not, doesn't directly affect the story and it just pours over your head like heavy rainfall. For me, that doesn't detract from the story.

The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger or soft landing that left me wondering what I had missed? Maybe that was the intention.

I wouldn't recommend this.

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4 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Great book by a SciFi master

Icehenge is an excellent, but often overlooked, early novel by Kim Stanley Robinson. The narration is top notch.

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4 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

I can't finish it. I just don't care.

Kim Stanley Robinson is one of my favorite authors. The Mars trilogy. Forty Days series. Many of his stand alone books, particularly Days of Rice and Salt. I was happy to find another of his stand-alones and looking forward to it.

The first section of Icehenge is very good. Enjoyable, thought-provoking, forward-looking, science dependant, with slightly juvenile interpersonal relationships but solid overall.

The second section has an entirely different feel, more of a crusty old-fashioned spacer looking for his big break gritty drama. It was also enjoyable and the callbacks to the first part were meaningful.

The third part, which has driven me away, is anchored by a whiny protagonist about whom I just don't care. I can see the theme that appears to be the big payoff (I think. If I never finish the book I will never know if I got it all wrong and some twist finale makes this third section worthwhile.) has something to do with how our perception of historical events can be twisted by politics. personal bias, and social change over time. There may also be elements acknowledging that each generation assumes they are more brilliant than the previous and has a better grasp on Truth. Perhaps my distaste for this section is related to the dearth of adherence to fact in current real world political discourse.

If I ever push through to the end, I will update my review and give more credit if due!

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2 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Surprisingly anti-climactic

The science, the idea, the writing are all phenomenal. Without question one of KSR’s coolest ideas. Full of the deep research expected from any KSR book. Having listened to every single one of his books, Icehenge is by far bottom of the barrel. The mystery is interesting and was really gripping at moments. But the book only really gripped me in the last hour or so of listening. Overall, decent, but lacks some seriously gripping material.

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1 personne a trouvé cela utile

One of the most frustrating book I ever listion to

I never write a review but this book made me mad. The 3 Main character in this book kept repeating the same thing over and over and over and over again to the point i wanted to rip my hair out of my head.

Don't waist your time with this book if your looking for a exciting sci fi book. You wont find it here.

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Sort of fun

... until you get to the third part and figure out that it's going nowhere.

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Avoid if possible.

The concept seems neat based on the summary, but the narrator was terrible, and I couldn't get halfway though.

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Not KSRs best wotk

I struggled to finish this. The narrative and characters are way less polished than his later works. This feels like a set piece.

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