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An overlooked gem, 14. Juni 2000

I read Hannibal first. That was probably a mistake, but if you did the same thing, make sure you pick up a copy of Red Dragon. This novel by Thomas Harris is the best, in my opinion, of the three "Hannibal Lecter" books. Will Graham is a profiler that is brought on the case of the Tooth Fairy, a serial murderer killing entire families. This is what makes the book so good. Even though the murders in Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal are gruesome, it isn't as though most of us really worry about a death like that. But the fear of someone breaking into your home, which is supposed to be a haven, and murdering not only you but also the people you love the most--that is a… Mehr dazu

A satisfying conclusion, 8. Juni 2000

There are many who thought that "Blue Mars" failed because it didn't have plot, character development, or action. And to this I laugh. Loud and long.

First, plot. The second attempt to destroy the socket is a major event that catalyzes the beginning of a Martian government. Ann's health and Sax's subsequent intervention lead four of the Martians to a return home. Nirgal tries for the simple life and learns firsthand how terraforming affects day to day life on Mars. Advanced fusion allows settlements on Mercury, the moons of the outer planets, and a starship to Alpha Centauri. And the book closes with a reconcilliation between two characters who have always had… Mehr dazu

Deserving of the label "epic", 8. Juni 2000

It isn't very often that a book affects me, makes me change the way I think about a topic. It's even rarer that I recommend books to others; since everyone's reading preferences are so different it usually isn't worth it. But I totally and unequivically recommend "Red Mars," the first of three novels about the colonization of our nearest neighbor.

The novel begins with action and violence and ends in much the same manner, taking us through the beginning years of human existance on Mars. Immediately, I was amazed at the depth of Robinson's characters. Maya, John, Frank, Ann, Nadia, and Arkady are especially well-drawn, but I have to confess my favorite is Sax Russell… Mehr dazu