Reviews

New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson

kellyrand's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

nickedkins's review against another edition

5.0

There were several things about this book that I enjoyed without qualification: the themes (climate dystopia, collective action, urban policy), the setting (a meticulously imagined drowned New York), and the tight plotting. The one unevenness for me was the language. There were delightful passages where Robinson’s mischievous narratorial tone, deep vocabulary, and sense of rhythm combined to unique effect.

Then there were sentences like this: “The wind whistled in the cat’s cradle of wires overhead in its aleatoric aeolia, surely the greatest music ever heard—if not the music of the spheres, then surely by definition the music of the cylinders.” Which, in my opinion, is a bit too clever for its own good, and pretty clumsy too.

But these were pretty uncommon, and the language at least fails in an interesting way—like watching someone nail nine backflips and smack their head on the tenth.

trib's review against another edition

hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Like a lot of KSR's work, New York 2140 takes its time to do what it does. If you've read other Robinson, you know that's a scathing critique of capitalism, neoliberalism, markets, and the politics that support them.
If you enjoy slow-paced, character-driven tales of people trying to get by in a world changed significantly by climate catastrophe, with a range of characters offering their perspectives on the story, it's for you.

tanirochelle's review against another edition

inspiring mysterious medium-paced

4.0

bmedvid's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

exaccardi's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

crimsoncor's review against another edition

5.0

Almost gave up on this book after the first 15 pages. It is worth making it through what is a rough start. The book is a fantastic look at life in a post-climate disaster new york from the best optimistic socialist sci-fi writer currently working.

calciferrous's review against another edition

I *want* to like KSR's work. I really do. Conceptually, this should be right up my alley. I just can't get into his writing style. 

edriessen's review against another edition

2.0

A star for the citizen and a star for Stefan & Roberto.

m_goose's review against another edition

funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book is pretty good! The pacing is a bit weird, and he goes a bit too hard on the ambient misogyny for my taste even if it is meant to be a social commentary. However the characters and the way their stories slot together are fascinating and I enjoyed my read.