Vagabonds is a thoughtful, slow-burning exploration of culture, identity, and politics set in a vividly imagined future split between Earth and Mars. The book stands out for its gorgeous prose (thanks in part to a stellar translation by Ken Liu), deep philosophical questions, and nuanced look at how societies develop and clash. If you love big ideas, introspective characters, and the kind of science fiction that invites rumination on the meaning of home and freedom - think Ursula K. Le Guin or Kim Stanley Robinson - then this is your jam. It’s especially appealing to readers curious about Chinese perspectives in sci-fi, and those who enjoy stories that favor contemplation over action-packed spectacle.

Who May Not Like This Book:

This isn’t a page-turner filled with space battles or fast-moving plot twists - so action lovers beware! Vagabonds takes its time, with long, lyrical chapters that dive deeply into world-building, politics, and introspection. Some readers felt the pacing was far too slow, with too many info dumps and circular arguments, and found it hard to connect with the characters, who sometimes serve more as vessels for Big Ideas than as memorable individuals. If you prefer tightly plotted stories, clear resolutions, and dynamic character arcs, this one might test your patience - or even put you to sleep.

A beautifully written, ideas-driven novel perfect for patient readers who relish philosophical science fiction, but those seeking action or emotional fireworks should look elsewhere.

About:

Vagabonds by Hao Jingfang is a science fiction novel set on Mars a century after the Martian War of Independence. The story follows a group of teenagers known as the Mercury Group who were born and raised on Mars, sent to Earth as delegates and struggle to re-acclimate to life on Mars upon their return. The novel explores the contrasting societal values between Earth and Mars, focusing on the character of Luoying, a dancer, who questions her identity and the societal differences between the two worlds.

Characters:

The characters are primarily young Martians grappling with their identities and societal roles, reflecting on their experiences between two contrasting worlds.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by lyrical prose and a thoughtful, introspective approach, with a strong emphasis on detailed world-building and character reflections.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the contrasting societal values between Earth and Mars as experienced by a group of Martian teenagers returning after studying on Earth, leading to introspection about their identities and the societies they navigate.

Setting:

The setting consists of futuristic depictions of Mars and Earth, showcasing dystopian societies shaped by their historical conflicts and differing value systems.

Pacing:

The pacing is slow, allowing for deep thematic exploration and character development rather than fast-paced action.

The world they were born into was a tower of rigid rules; the world they grew up on was a garden of rambling disorder. One was a magnificent, austere blueprint; the other was a wild bacchanalia. The t...

Notes:

Vagabonds is a science fiction novel set in a future where Mars has been colonized and has a history of conflict with Earth.

The book explores themes of identity, society, and the contrasts between capitalist Earth and the oligarchic Mars.

Main character Luo Ying is a dancer who returns to Mars after spending time on Earth, grappling with her divided identity.

The narrative highlights multiple perspectives, especially from children caught between two very different societies.

Hao Jingfang, the author, is a Chinese writer and the first woman from China to win a Hugo Award, known for her short story Folding Beijing.

Vagabonds is noted for its lyrical writing, though some readers found the pacing slow and the character development lacking.

Political themes in the novel resonate with current societal issues, presenting a critique of both capitalist and collectivist ideals.

The relationship between the characters and their societies raises questions about freedom, belonging, and the nature of utopia versus dystopia.

The book is translated by Ken Liu, a noted figure in science fiction and a Hugo Award-winning author in his own right.

From The Publisher:

A century after the Martian war of independence, a group of kids are sent to Earth as delegates from Mars, but when they return home, they are caught between the two worlds, unable to reconcile the beauty and culture of Mars with their experiences on Earth in this "thoughtful debut" (Kirkus Reviews) from Hugo Award-winning author Hao Jingfang.

This "masterful narrative" (Booklist, starred review) is set on Earth in the wake of a second civil war…not between two factions in one nation, but two factions in one solar system: Mars and Earth. In an attempt to repair increasing tensions, the colonies of Mars send a group of young people to live on Earth to help reconcile humanity. But the group finds itself with no real home, no friends, and fractured allegiances as they struggle to find a sense of community and identity trapped between two worlds.

April 2020

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612 pages

Ratings (3)

Loved It (2)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (11):

Read It (3)
Want To Read (7)
Not Interested (1)

2 comment(s)

redbud940

Hated It

6 months

I don’t know if it’s me, Liu’s translations in particular, or just the difficulty of translating from Chinese into English, but neither this nor The Three-Body Problem do anything at all for me.

The prose is alright, but the beginning seems to consist purely of an infodump. I’m too old and too impatient to slog through this sort of thing any more.

Maybe I should try Bradbury.

ColorfulLeo92

Loved It

1 year

This wasn't quite what I expected it to be but I was pleasantly suprised as it was better than I thought. It was a rather long ebook but I wasn't bored by this at all. I'm not finding writing this review rather easy as I can't come up with what to write about it but I would definitely read more by this author

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About the Author:

Jingfang Hao is a Chinese science fiction writer. She won the Hugo Award for Best Novelette for "Folding Beijing," translated by Ken Liu, at the 2016 Hugo Awards, marking the first Hugo awarded to a Chinese woman. Hao works as a macroeconomics researcher at China Development Research Foundation, a quango organization located in Beijing, China.

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Vagabonds

Hao Jingfang

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