Keep Mars Weird

“Keep Mars Weird” is a broad satire about the encroachment of creeping capitalism on “gritty” and “authentic” culture, specifically Austin TX and SxSW or whatever it's called, although it applies pretty well elsewhere too.

The plot is propelled more by the political needs of the polemic than any particular plausibility, and everyone gets a bit of kicking along the way, which is what raises the book from 3 to 4 stars: it's a satire on the human condition, and doesn't pretend that one way or another is going to Solve All Our Problems.

The characters are stereotypes who do manage to grow just a little bit in the course of the story. This book isn't going to change anyone's life, but it's a fast, enjoyable read, especially if you've been in any way part of an alternative, underground, or otherwise “authentic” art/music scene.