Book Information
The Martian by Andy Weir
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
Publication Date: 2011 (Online serialized format); Feb. 11, 2014 (Formally published)
Genre: Science Fiction/Adventure
Purchase: Kindle Edition; Paperback
About the Author
Andy Weir hails from California where he studied computer science at UC San Diego (Did not graduate). He worked as a programmer for several software companies, including America Online and World of Warcraft developer Blizzard.
Having grown up reading classic science fiction writers such as Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov, Weir began writing in his 20’s. His early work was self-published on his website, Galactanet. Weir’s first published book, The Martian, is actually his third completed novel. It has become something of a phenomenon, having begun as a serialized novel in 2011 before becoming a surprise hit on the Kindle eBook marketplace until finally being opted by a publisher in 2014. Currently, a film adaptation directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon is slated for a late 2015 release.
Currently, Weir is hard at work on his fourth novel, Zhek. He calls this latest novel a “more traditional sci-fi novel. It has aliens, telepathy, faster-than-light travel, etc.”
Author bio adapted from Wikipedia. Photo courtesy of Goodreads
Synopsis
Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first men to walk on the surface of Mars. Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first man to die there.
It started with the dust storm that holed his suit and nearly killed him, and that forced his crew to leave him behind, sure he was already dead. Now he’s stranded millions of miles from the nearest human being, with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive–and even if he could get word out, his food would be gone years before a rescue mission could arrive. Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to get him first.
But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills–and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit–he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. But will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?
Book summary courtesy of Goodreads
Review
I have a confession to make: I often judge a book by its title and/or cover. If a book is written by an author I don’t immediately recognize, I will glance at the title and the cover and decide if it is something I want to read or not without ever checking out the summary on the back. Because of this shameful habit, I almost left The Martian sitting on the shelf, doomed to forever collect dust. The title suggested a story about a little green man while the cover featuring a generic astronaut on a sea of red dust seemed rather boring. I was wrong on both counts. An adventure tale of one resourceful and sarcastic man against the most desolate environment we have ever known, Andy Weir’s debut novel far exceeded all my expectations. Simply put, The Martian is one of the best experiences I have ever had reading a novel.
What makes The Martian such a strong story is its balance. The book deals with some dark subject material: being stranded in an isolated location (to say the least) with minimal resources and little hope of survival. Yet, Mark Watney is such a funny, likable guy. Readers are constantly reminded just how desperate Mark’s situation is only to have the stress alleviated by a witty remark on his (now departed) teammates’ choice in music and television. While never a comedy, The Martian adds enough legitimate laugh-out-loud humor to make the tension bearable. More importantly, it makes readers connect with Mark.
Too often, books feature protagonists that just don’t generate any empathy with the intended audience. Mark is not one of those characters. He is the epitome of what everyone hopes they could be in a similar situation: brave, ingenious, driven, and lighthearted. He knows how bad everything is, but also knows crying about it isn’t going to help so he might as well laugh it off and get to work. Readers will (mentally) cheer at Mark’s every victory and feel a small tinge of despair after every setback. It is impossible not to pull for Mark Watney.
If there is anything negative to be said about The Martian it is the lack of depth of its secondary characters. The team at NASA and Mark’s crewmates aren’t bad characters, we just don’t know that much about them. They are best described as serviceable; they are a means to eventually get our hero off of Mars. We get glimpses into their personalities and even some of their likes and dislikes, but they are never fully fleshed out, especially in the way that Mark is. However, to complain about these characters’ lack of depth is equivalent to complaining that Helen Hunt’s character didn’t get enough screen time in Castaway. The film was always supposed to be about Tom Hanks and his survival. Such is the case for this book.
Honestly, hours could be spent explaining the many selling points of The Martian, from the surprising scientific soundness of the premise and events to the offbeat pop culture references. All you really need to know is that you should read this book. Whether you are a science fiction addict or you never knew there was a Sci-Fi section in your local library, read this book. In its soul, The Martian is a tale that speaks to the inherent strength of the human spirit and how, even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. We need more stories like that. http://amzn.to/1BSNQJz
Purchase
Ok, I am sold. I am going to get a copy to read at the beach this summer. It sounds like an awesome book.
Looks and sounds like a great book. I have to admit I kinda judge books by the cover and who the author is, so I probably wouldn’t have chosen this one if I had seen it at the library but I’m gonna add it to my read list. Thanks for sharing!
Good review. These aren’t typically the type of books I pick up to read. So many of my friends would love this book though. I’ll share this info with them.
I want to read this soon, I really like to read about mysteries and discovery. This one I like to read too.
This book sounds interesting, even though it is not from a genre I usually pick. As a Reading Specialist I always tell my students to try something new…maybe I should listen to my own advice.
I must admit that I haven’t read a sci-fi book since I was a kid. I like that this one has humor to it. I might have to give it a try. Thanks for the info
I dont read nearly as much as I used to, or would like to! I have been keeping a list though for this summer and this looks like one I may add and check out! Sounds pretty interesting!
Well hope is the last to go. Seems like a book to add to my summer list
Loved the review and I think I will take the time to read this book.
This sounds like an awesome book!
While it doesn’t sound like my type of book, I really loved your thorough review!
This sounds like something I would like. I don’t mind when they don’t go into too much on other characters because sometimes that can be overdone and that makes the book too drawn out.
How wonderful that he started so early. It must be great to find your passion so early in life.
Sounds like a wonderful book to pick up. I plan on doing more reading in the summer while on vacation. I’ll be sure to pick this one up. Thanks!
Great review! When it comes to books, Science Fiction/Adventure is one of my favorite genres. I’ll be doing a lot of traveling once May comes and have been looking for some books for the airport waits, I’ll add this one to the list <3
I definitely need to start reading more! This looks so tempting, would love to get my hands on a copy and hibernate for a week reading.
Thanks for the book review. With summer coming I’m always looking for a few good ones to dive into.
This sounds like a book I would love to read indeed. I have always loved science fiction and group up in family that also love it. I guess I passed it on to my boys too. Thanks for sharing .
I love books! This genre isn’t my favorite, but my daughter and hubby both would find it enjoyable. Maybe one of them will get it for a gift from me!
Omg sounds like a great book!! Might just have to add this to the summer poolside reading list!
I’m such a sci fi nerd, but I honestly think the only books in the vein I ever read were Star Wars universe. I have to say, the idea of someone coping being stranded in outer space has me intrigued. I might just have to go find this one. 🙂
This definitely sounds like a Sci-fi book I so would read. I would not want to put it down!
Will have to look into this!
This looks like an interesting read! I haven’t read a book in a while. Thank you so much for sharing.
Looks and sounds like a great read!
Hmmm.. thank you for this honest and well written review. Normally, I don’t gravitate to this genre BUT I have heard such great things about both the book and the movie I thought I might give it a shot. Thanks again! 🙂