“Mars Life“

by Ben Bova

Format; Hardback, 432 pages.

Publisher: Tor, 2008.

Mars Life is the latest addition to Ben Bova’s Grand tour series which portrays a realistic (or at least a best guess based on current science) look at the potential human colonisation of the solar system. Indeed so realistic is this portrayal that it hardly seems like fiction at all. In many ways this is not so much science fiction as science and fiction a portrayal of the likely events based on currently existing technologies with only a few speculative guesses.

This book continues the story of the colonisation/exploration of mars first begun in “Mars” and “Return To Mars” so the characters and backstory have already been created but it would still be possible to enjoy this as a standalone novel. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the book then, is its portrayal of earth politics and in particular the rise of religious fundamentalism as a political power. Now, lets get this clear straight away, for fans of space opera, pulp SF or modern imaginative and hard SF this might be deathly dull and overly simplistic, for fans of Clarke, Asimov etc it’s more like a return to a style rarely seen these days. Simplistic dialogue, stereotypical characters and a straightforward plot based on problem solving are hallmarks of this style and yet it is a style that has endured almost as long as SF itself, why is that? I am a fan of Asimov’s foundation series, a series still being reprinted after 57 years despite the fact that the writing style, characterisation and even plot have all been criticised. Likewise Clarke’s novels share many of these criticisms but are considered genre classics. In Clarke and Asimov we had scientists who were trying to write plausible ideas in a way which would be popular and accessible to all and to me, this is why their work endures and why I think Ben Bova is a natural successor to their crown.

The plot centres around the attempts to carry on an exploration of martian archaeology (yes the existence of martian life is this books one big break from reality) faced with ever more criticism and funding restrictions from an earth crippled by the repercussions of global warming, crime-waves and global terrorism, not to mention the rise of “New Morality” as a political force. The martian explorers do have adventures but these are of an everyday (albeit martian) nature, which keep the plot ticking over nicely. That is one of the books strengths, despite a lack of “action”, “radical ideas”, or “big theories” this book is easily read and did hold my interest throughout. At no point did I feel bored or disappointed instead I felt I was being subtly educated and entertained (edutainment anybody?) although you could argue that some of the political views were less subtly put.

I think within SF there is room for this style of book, indeed in order to crossover and gain acceptance from a wider audience accessible SF is a requirement and whilst this may seem weak and unimaginative to the genre devotee, it is likely to be firmly accepted by the (millions of) fans of Clancy or Cussler and their ilk. So Bova has managed to create an intriguing book balancing politics, science and adventure in an accessible, enjoyable and realistic manner, no easy task.

Rating 3 out of 5