Rating: 
Summary: First class SF
Review: A fine example of thinking man's SF a la Clarke, Asimov or Le Guin, this early work by Kim Stanley Robinson compels readers to ponder the nature of space and time, and their relationship to music - the major theme of the story. These themes are skillfully tied together in a very well-written and suspenseful story that takes its characters from one end of the solar system (Pluto) to the other (in orbit around the sun). Incidentally, this latter aspect was particularly well-rendered; Robinson really did a good job of describing what it would be like flying in a spacecraft along the sun's surface and hanging around in a space station just above the its flare zone. The story moves along quickly, and despite the author's exploration of various scientific and philosophical aspects of the nature of existence, he makes no grand statements in the end, leaving readers to ponder these matters and draw their own conclusions. Except for the author's annoying way of addressing the "dear Reader" when speaking in the narrative voice, this is an almost perfect short sci-fi novel.
Rating: 
Summary: A far-futuristic symphony of ideas
Review: Calling Robinson a stream-of-consciousness author may be unkind, thanks to the label's attachments... let's rather peg KSR as a stream-of-ideas craftsman. Those that made their way thru the Mars trilogy and called the journey pleasant will testify that what kept them entranced was not any certain traditional literary technique, but instead a technique possibly unique to KSR himself. KSR builds rich gardens of thought and ideas, very realistic and utterly fascinating, and then translates them into the next scene for his characters to enter. We never are fully guided through any of these idea gardens, but as we close the book, we realize that he has left a meta-map of 5 or 6 of these for our minds to explore later. KSR may be the quintesential adept of paradigm construction. If you are a scientist, thinker, writer, or inventor, KSR will certainly open up, nay -blow open- doors to new realms of thought. He's done it in every one of his books thus far, and I will continue to be first in line to buy his new hardcovers as they emerge, so that I won't have to live a day without seeing all the potentialities that KSR sees. Asimov may have created 1 or 2 of these idea gardens (psychohistory, as one), but KSR does it repeatedly. It is a totally unique experience in literature. Speaking to The Memory of Whiteness itself, it is set in the year 3229... that alone speaks volumes, and KSR builds the finest 4th milennium stage I've ever read. You will be guided on a tour of worlds and cultures (KSR also being a master of 'culture creation', another of his distinct footprints), and the entire idea of 'music' will transform before your eyes. The story moves along with good pace, with enough complexity to entice you to read it again, and builds to an ending that will haunt your waking days. So this one certainly deserves an A+. I sit here still enraptured. I raise a toast to Kim Stanley Robinson! May your days of formation remain prosperous...
Rating:
Summary: A far-futuristic symphony of ideas
Review: Calling Robinson a stream-of-consciousness author may be unkind, thanks to the label's attachments... let's rather peg KSR as a stream-of-ideas craftsman. Those that made their way thru the Mars trilogy and called the journey pleasant will testify that what kept them entranced was not any certain traditional literary technique, but instead a technique possibly unique to KSR himself. KSR builds rich gardens of thought and ideas, very realistic and utterly fascinating, and then translates them into the next scene for his characters to enter. We never are fully guided through any of these idea gardens, but as we close the book, we realize that he has left a meta-map of 5 or 6 of these for our minds to explore later. KSR may be the quintesential adept of paradigm construction. If you are a scientist, thinker, writer, or inventor, KSR will certainly open up, nay -blow open- doors to new realms of thought. He's done it in every one of his books thus far, and I will continue to be first in line to buy his new hardcovers as they emerge, so that I won't have to live a day without seeing all the potentialities that KSR sees. Asimov may have created 1 or 2 of these idea gardens (psychohistory, as one), but KSR does it repeatedly. It is a totally unique experience in literature. Speaking to The Memory of Whiteness itself, it is set in the year 3229... that alone speaks volumes, and KSR builds the finest 4th milennium stage I've ever read. You will be guided on a tour of worlds and cultures (KSR also being a master of 'culture creation', another of his distinct footprints), and the entire idea of 'music' will transform before your eyes. The story moves along with good pace, with enough complexity to entice you to read it again, and builds to an ending that will haunt your waking days. So this one certainly deserves an A+. I sit here still enraptured. I raise a toast to Kim Stanley Robinson! May your days of formation remain prosperous...
Rating:
Summary: A surprising book of an obvious mix
Review: Having read a lot of KSR it was very refreshing to read Memory of Whiteness. The reason for 4 stars is the beautiful description of the combination of music and 10 dimensional superstring theory. Once you read it, it becomes obvious that it must be so. What I miss is the realistic touch that KSR masters so well in both the Mars triology and the Orange County triology. You really belive those, but MOW is a bit more far fetched. All in all a very good Sci-fi which I enjoyed a lot.
Rating:
Summary: No need to be a music lover or a physicist.
Review: I do not include music or physics among my interests, yet I enjoyed MOW. The book really makes you think about the way things are (or appear to be). Since this book is about a musician, and you do read it as opposed to listening to it, the author wonderfully conveys the essence and the power of music. For this alone this book is a must read. After reading of one of the concerts in the book, I was left absolutley floored as the narrative was that powerful. This was the first KSR book I have read. I was very impressed with the connection the author made with me. KSR uniquely addresses the reader at various points throughout the book and that added to my reading experience. Some of the physics theory really slowed me down as I struggled to understand as much as I could. All in all a very engaging and thought provoking work.
Rating:
Summary: No need to be a music lover or a physicist.
Review: I do not include music or physics among my interests, yet I enjoyed MOW. The book really makes you think about the way things are (or appear to be). Since this book is about a musician, and you do read it as opposed to listening to it, the author wonderfully conveys the essence and the power of music. For this alone this book is a must read. After reading of one of the concerts in the book, I was left absolutley floored as the narrative was that powerful. This was the first KSR book I have read. I was very impressed with the connection the author made with me. KSR uniquely addresses the reader at various points throughout the book and that added to my reading experience. Some of the physics theory really slowed me down as I struggled to understand as much as I could. All in all a very engaging and thought provoking work.
Rating: 
Summary: MOW is a decent book lacking a good plot summary
Review: I felt that this book was very impressive and the richness of it's concepts is extraordinary. The first part of the book is the best, but the second half of the book becomes redundant and the plot is delayed. I recommend the Mars series that Kim Stanley wrote earlier, they are much more interesting.
Rating:
Summary: Hard science: Social, Physical, and Aural
Review: I really adore Robinson's work in general, so am not surprised that I also enjoyed this book. It's definitely not his strongest work, but in a SF field filled with putrid tripe, this book is like a glorious orange blossom. It does tend toward the science more than the characters, which seems unusual in comparison to Robinson's other work, but the science is engaging, and the sociological facets of the book (always Robinson's strong suit) are riveting (the wide variety of cultures represented throughout the Solar System ring incredibly true). One caveat: As a caucasian male with a shaved head, it's rather uncomfortable to read a book entitled "The Memory of Whiteness" in public; I often felt as if others were pegging me as a neo-Nazi due to the ambiguous title. But maybe I'm just being overly PC.
Rating: 
Summary: Go to Mars instead
Review: I really enjoyed the entire Mars trilogy and so I came to this book with very high expectations. They were disappointed. This book is confused, has sketchy characters whose motivations (even at the conclusion) are never adequately explained, a pointless plot, an annoying ending and one of the most annoying "narrative voices" ever written.
Rating:
Summary: One word DEPTH.
Review: I would consider this one of the all around best works of modern fiction. The depth and breadth of the worked that Robinson creates is truly a wonder. Few writers can successfully juggle the complex ideas contained within this book and still present a coherent story. When I started this novel I feared that the level of music theory and physics was going to overshadow the story and make for a dry and boring read. By the end of the third chapter I realized that I was hopelessly hooked and couldn't put the book down. This was not due to an attachment to characters but rather an involvement in the world that I have rarely felt. Let's just hope that no one gets the bad idea to try and make a movie.
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