Review of "Antarctica Starts Here" by Paul McAuley

"Antarctica Starts Here" by Paul McAuley was published in the October/November issue of Asimov's Science Fiction.  A pair of adventure-loving helicopter pilots enjoy their rugged lives working in Antarctica as tour guides for extreme nature enthusiasts, but their friendship is strained when one of them becomes an eco-terrorist.

I actually read this one several days ago and forgot that I had--which right there speaks volumes about what I thought of this turkey.  Preachy, tired, and disappointing come to mind as adjectives to describe this tale, although global warming freaks may enjoy it (and sing kumbaya while turning the pages).  Mr. McAuley comes off as a Kim Stanley Robinson wannabe, but he is no KSR and his story is no Red Mars.

Editor's Note:  This is the third of three stories from this issue of Asimov's that was sub-par IMHO.  I am in the middle of a fourth, a novelette by Gray Rinehart, at present.  If that one turns out not to be up to snuff, I may not read a fifth.