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snarkyspice's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
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? Yes
4.75
This book is way more optimistic than I would expect a science fiction book about the climate crisis to be! It kinda reminded me of the movie Pacific Rim with various corners of humanity teaming up to fight for one massive goal, but without the robots or the kick-ass soundtrack.
One thing I wish there had been more of was the kind of secret black ops for the climate that Mary and her coworker talked about. I know that Kim Stanley Robinson is a sci fi writer, not a political thriller novelist, so he stayed in his lane and I can appreciate that! But it would've been nice to have just one little Ministry for the Future-approved assassination as a treat.
bearpolar's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Loved it. Really broad view on the climate situation and what can be done about it. Which leaves me both hopeful and depressed because we have yet to push through similar solutions ourselves.
jonknightknighthunterbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book is... weirdly experimental for an SF door stop by an American born in the early 50s. Some chapters are lists of charities. Some are from the point of view of a photon, or other inanimate object. Some are meeting notes. (Though TBF, not that weird for KSR - it's fairly similar in form to New York 2140.)
It's also arguably a novelisation of "How to blow up a pipeline". Violence is only one tool people us to try and control the future, but it is shown to be an effective one.
The future show here is not just one where humans avert climate change, but one where social media is brought to heel, and the ultra rich defanged before effectively being outlawed. The future here is brighter and fairer - as well as greener. (One stretch describing a transatlantic journey by futuristic clipper almost made me cry, not at the beauty of the writing, but at the beauty of the world being described.)
I think this is an important book, but it needs to be just one part of the conversation - while it's an effective handbook for anyone working or wanting to work in finance & or policy, it's a bit weak on those further from the centres of power.
It's also a bit over optimistic on AI and Blockchain for my mind; however on the latter it does make it clear that the benefit is transparency and centralised control which is a novel take.
It's also arguably a novelisation of "How to blow up a pipeline". Violence is only one tool people us to try and control the future, but it is shown to be an effective one.
The future show here is not just one where humans avert climate change, but one where social media is brought to heel, and the ultra rich defanged before effectively being outlawed. The future here is brighter and fairer - as well as greener. (One stretch describing a transatlantic journey by futuristic clipper almost made me cry, not at the beauty of the writing, but at the beauty of the world being described.)
I think this is an important book, but it needs to be just one part of the conversation - while it's an effective handbook for anyone working or wanting to work in finance & or policy, it's a bit weak on those further from the centres of power.
It's also a bit over optimistic on AI and Blockchain for my mind; however on the latter it does make it clear that the benefit is transparency and centralised control which is a novel take.
pinknezu's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
dngoldman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
"Reality was so much bigger than the self “
Ministry for the Future" by Kim Stanley Robinson stands out in the genre of climate fiction, not by only depicting disasters, but by exploring the intricate systems that contribute to climate change. If it It is easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism, Robinson provides the imagination. Robinson's narrative is a deep dive into the economic and political mechanisms that exacerbate the crisis and the complex interplay of law, politics, social dynamics, and technology within our capitalist framework. The novel's strength lies in its detailed and plausible vision of sweeping changes that could address the root causes of climate change, with capitalism at the heart of the problem. Robinson's understanding of the diverse perspectives of the working class and rural communities adds a layer of realism to the narrative, challenging the reader to consider the multifaceted nature of societal change. While the novel's policy-heavy approach and multitude of voices make the novel hard to follow at times, it remains a thought-provoking piece that stimulates discussion on the potential pathways to a sustainable future. It's a compelling read for those interested in environmental issues and the societal shifts necessary to combat them. However, readers seeking a traditional narrative structure might find the documentary-style and complexity a challenge. Overall, Robinson's work is a significant contribution to the conversation about our planet's future and the collective action required to shape it.
thad_deus's review against another edition
I have never read a more casually pro-terrorism book in my life. In the midst of liberal/progressive policy wonkery & detailed nature/architecture haunts is the confident normalization of radical action. Economies & international relations tweaked by the consistent background of direct action, sabotage, & assassination. Broad sweeps of culture & politics interspersed with often gut-wrenching human-level experience of the traumas of climate change.
What does it take to change the world?
What does it take to change the world?
lunkbunk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
billd's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson is my first book by this author. I've had 2312 on my bookshelf for awhile now but have been somewhat intimidated by the size. I can't remember if I bought it because I saw that Barack Obama recommended it or if I bought it before. In my vanity, I'll go with the latter. I am a trend setter, dontcha know.
Anyway, to the book. The story starts with Frank May, living in India, helping the poor. While there, the country, especially that particular district, suffers a heat wave of such extreme that thousands and thousands die Frank survives but is never the same, a kind of PTSD. India decides to take action to prevent such a disaster again; I think some sort of cloud seeding. While the rest of the world frowns on this action, they still wait to see the result. Will it help reduce the carbon footprint. As a result of the disaster, a group forms the Children of Kali who will take more aggressive action to save the world.
We move also to Antarctica where plans are underway to stop the ice shelf from disintegrating. It involves drilling through the ice shelf to the sea bed, sucking the water below the ice shelf to the surface, spraying it on the surface and ultimately grounding the ice shelf once again onto the ocean bed... Fascinating.
In Switzerland, one Mary Murphy takes charge of a new UN department, the Ministry for the Future. It's plan is to protect future citizens of the world, find ways to protect the Earth, making it almost a client and so many other things.
It's a fascinating story, building slowly, moving from Mary to Frank and then to other people, locations. It's a similar format to War Day by Whitley Streiber or World War Z by Max Brooks. In style, it moves from person to person, from location to location, with relatively small chapters. If you are looking for action, there is some, mostly on the periphery. Mary's department in Zurich is bombed and she must have constant security details and live in safe houses.
A new form of missile is created by Russia, sold to anyone and seems to be unbeatable. Aircraft are shot from the sky, especially those belonging to the rich. This is a protest against propulsion that affects the carbon. Planes are switched to electric or balloon flight becomes popular again. Container ships are sunk causing drastic changes to propulsion of sea transportation. And on and on. There is a question if these attacks are orchestrated by the Ministry's 'black' sub-organization.
Interspersed with the characters' stories are sections talking about the economics, politics, refugees, etc. I admit to skimming sometimes when these chapters came up, but at the same time, they weren't too technical and provided an excellent context to the workings of the Ministry as it tries to save the world; carbon coins, making refugees citizens of the world, saving wild life, etc.
As I started, I found it sort of easy to put down, but it's the kind of story that sneaks up on you, getting you more and more involved. It's not Sci-Fi but more a 'present -future'. It ultimately left me with a feeling of hope, a hope that there are people who are making the efforts to change the future, that there are leaders amongst us with the will and strength to force the world to save itself. I really can't find any fault with this excellent story. Please check it out. (5.0 stars)
Anyway, to the book. The story starts with Frank May, living in India, helping the poor. While there, the country, especially that particular district, suffers a heat wave of such extreme that thousands and thousands die Frank survives but is never the same, a kind of PTSD. India decides to take action to prevent such a disaster again; I think some sort of cloud seeding. While the rest of the world frowns on this action, they still wait to see the result. Will it help reduce the carbon footprint. As a result of the disaster, a group forms the Children of Kali who will take more aggressive action to save the world.
We move also to Antarctica where plans are underway to stop the ice shelf from disintegrating. It involves drilling through the ice shelf to the sea bed, sucking the water below the ice shelf to the surface, spraying it on the surface and ultimately grounding the ice shelf once again onto the ocean bed... Fascinating.
In Switzerland, one Mary Murphy takes charge of a new UN department, the Ministry for the Future. It's plan is to protect future citizens of the world, find ways to protect the Earth, making it almost a client and so many other things.
It's a fascinating story, building slowly, moving from Mary to Frank and then to other people, locations. It's a similar format to War Day by Whitley Streiber or World War Z by Max Brooks. In style, it moves from person to person, from location to location, with relatively small chapters. If you are looking for action, there is some, mostly on the periphery. Mary's department in Zurich is bombed and she must have constant security details and live in safe houses.
A new form of missile is created by Russia, sold to anyone and seems to be unbeatable. Aircraft are shot from the sky, especially those belonging to the rich. This is a protest against propulsion that affects the carbon. Planes are switched to electric or balloon flight becomes popular again. Container ships are sunk causing drastic changes to propulsion of sea transportation. And on and on. There is a question if these attacks are orchestrated by the Ministry's 'black' sub-organization.
Interspersed with the characters' stories are sections talking about the economics, politics, refugees, etc. I admit to skimming sometimes when these chapters came up, but at the same time, they weren't too technical and provided an excellent context to the workings of the Ministry as it tries to save the world; carbon coins, making refugees citizens of the world, saving wild life, etc.
As I started, I found it sort of easy to put down, but it's the kind of story that sneaks up on you, getting you more and more involved. It's not Sci-Fi but more a 'present -future'. It ultimately left me with a feeling of hope, a hope that there are people who are making the efforts to change the future, that there are leaders amongst us with the will and strength to force the world to save itself. I really can't find any fault with this excellent story. Please check it out. (5.0 stars)
cmurbanmead's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
What if....a long form political/scientific analysis of climate change response was a ~600 page novel. My only other Robinson is Red Mars, so the comparison points jumped out at me. I was captivated less by the human characters in MftF, but with the Earth's biosphere placed at the center of the story, I still very much wanted to keep reading to find out what could happen next. It doesn't shy away from the heavy realities of our near-future apocalypse, but it also carries incredible optimism about humanity's ability to change course. I'm coming away from the book trying to believe that such unity to create a better world might be possible.
aaronr's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5