I read Kim’s Mars trilogy years ago and liked it. I decided to pick up The Ministry of the Future a couple days ago. It’s very different, and without any spoilers, I have to say it’s made me hate humanity even more than I already did. If you haven’t read it, it’s a near-future climate disaster book. Well written, interesting structure, and just pissing me off. I’m about halfway through it, so maybe it’ll swing the other way in the second half.
I think the “ran out of steam” is a good way to describe it. I’ll probably end up reading a couple more of his books, but it won’t be for some years, and many, many other books, from now.
Maybe try Shaman, it’s pretty different from his other stuff. Although I’m pretty biased, I love every KSR book I’ve read.
Thumbs up for Shaman. I got the strong impression that KSR ran around in the woods at night naked to research that book. Some really interesting speculation on Neanderthals too.