BOOK BRIEF

Desolation Road

Ian McDonald
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Desolation Road

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1991

Book Brief

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Ian McDonald

Desolation Road

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1991
Book Details
Pages

365

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Fantasy

Magical Realism

Science Fiction
Setting

Mars • Distant Future

Publication Year

1991

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Desolation Road by Ian McDonald follows a diverse group of individuals as they settle in a remote Martian town called Desolation Road. The novel explores their interconnected lives, successes, and challenges, highlighting themes of community, progress, and human resilience in an evolving frontier setting.

Fantastical

Mysterious

Melancholic

Nostalgic

Adventurous

Reviews & Readership

4.0

1,663 ratings

66%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Desolation Road by Ian McDonald is lauded for its imaginative world-building and rich, stylistic prose. Critics appreciate the novel’s blend of science fiction and magical realism, providing a vivid, colorful depiction of life on Mars. However, some find the narrative pacing uneven and the multitude of characters overwhelming. Overall, it’s a unique exploration of humanity and society.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Desolation Road?

Fans of richly imaginative sci-fi like Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles or Gabriel Garcia Marquez's magical realism in One Hundred Years of Solitude will enjoy Desolation Road. Readers who appreciate vivid world-building, intricate characters, and a blend of science fiction with the surreal will find it captivating.

4.0

1,663 ratings

66%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

365

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Fantasy

Magical Realism

Science Fiction
Setting

Mars • Distant Future

Publication Year

1991

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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