This brick of a book, written in a highly engaging style from many vantage points, is a literary masterpiece in its construction. Yet it is also a complex, multiscalar thought experiment about how to address the looming climate catastrophe. It’s commendable how readable Robinson makes that message, which has enabled it to inspire people to take the climate crisis more seriously, even catalyzing new companies that are turning some of its technological thought experiments into reality. This is a true Trojan horse: a gripping, complexly structured artwork that can deliver a bitter but desperately needed pill.
Robinson, Kim Stanley. The Ministry for the Future. London: Little Brown, 2020