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Meg's Reviews > Icehenge
Icehenge
by
by
Genre: science fiction
Originally published in 1984, new release published 2024
Out on Pluto, there stands a massive monument, with words etched in Sanskrit, mimicking the henges of ancient Briton. How did they get there? When did they get there? Taking place hundreds of years into our future, Icehenge spans hundreds of years itself, in an era where humans can live centuries. It's the story of three people linked in some ways to the mysterious monument. Even in futuristic space travel, Pluto is still considered beyond the reach of many and wild theories circulate regarding the Icehenge creation, some linked to political unrest from Mars and some linked to theories of ancient humans.
This is one of Kim Stanley Robinson's earliest published books, getting a re-publication this year from Tor. I've never put down a book from KSR that didn't make me wonder and think and Icehenge is no different. In some ways it’s narrower in scope than the Red Mars series, and yet, in some ways it’s opening different doors to the stars in unexpected ways. It’s told in a format that mimics a memoir: highly reflective and pondering. And yet, the first and third books are driven by external plot (a coup! a threat to solving the mystery!) and the second book has an urgent pacing as the narrator spirals in his quest to discover the original journal writer (who is also the part one narrator.)
Icehenge is a reflection on human memory, especially memory as humans age hundreds of years, and how easy it is to change collective memory. It’s classic science fiction, tackling space, terraforming, and political turmoil, and yet remains approachable for a reader intimidated by hard sciences. This novel in particular leans more literary and speculative in tone.
Surprise bonus, this was published originally in 1984 and has a queer narrator for part two of the story.
Extra bonus, for those who know KSR... this is exceptionally short, at only 288 pages/12 hours on audio.
Thank you to Tor for an eARC for review. Icehenge re-releases on 6/11/24.
Originally published in 1984, new release published 2024
Out on Pluto, there stands a massive monument, with words etched in Sanskrit, mimicking the henges of ancient Briton. How did they get there? When did they get there? Taking place hundreds of years into our future, Icehenge spans hundreds of years itself, in an era where humans can live centuries. It's the story of three people linked in some ways to the mysterious monument. Even in futuristic space travel, Pluto is still considered beyond the reach of many and wild theories circulate regarding the Icehenge creation, some linked to political unrest from Mars and some linked to theories of ancient humans.
This is one of Kim Stanley Robinson's earliest published books, getting a re-publication this year from Tor. I've never put down a book from KSR that didn't make me wonder and think and Icehenge is no different. In some ways it’s narrower in scope than the Red Mars series, and yet, in some ways it’s opening different doors to the stars in unexpected ways. It’s told in a format that mimics a memoir: highly reflective and pondering. And yet, the first and third books are driven by external plot (a coup! a threat to solving the mystery!) and the second book has an urgent pacing as the narrator spirals in his quest to discover the original journal writer (who is also the part one narrator.)
Icehenge is a reflection on human memory, especially memory as humans age hundreds of years, and how easy it is to change collective memory. It’s classic science fiction, tackling space, terraforming, and political turmoil, and yet remains approachable for a reader intimidated by hard sciences. This novel in particular leans more literary and speculative in tone.
Surprise bonus, this was published originally in 1984 and has a queer narrator for part two of the story.
Extra bonus, for those who know KSR... this is exceptionally short, at only 288 pages/12 hours on audio.
Thank you to Tor for an eARC for review. Icehenge re-releases on 6/11/24.
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Reading Progress
June 6, 2024
–
Started Reading
June 6, 2024
– Shelved
June 7, 2024
– Shelved as:
arc
June 7, 2024
– Shelved as:
science-fiction
June 7, 2024
–
Finished Reading
