The Martian in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Feb 25, 2015 Claudia Recinos rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book had its flaws. The language was pared down to the point where it almost felt like you were reading a screenplay instead of a book. It was 90% dialogue, internal and external. But, it still hit me in the feels. I cared what happened to Mark Watney and I got teary-eyed at the end. So, four stars for story, three for literary content. High fives all around.

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Jun 16, 2015 Roman Colombo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book is incredible! The writing is crisp, and the characters, especially Mark, are great. It's humorous, but still serious enough to make it suspenseful. And the audio is great too. Absolutely fantastic book. ...more

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Jun 09, 2015 Carly Thompson rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015, listened-to-on-audio, science-fiction

I normally don't read science fiction but due to the rave reviews and upcoming movie, I thought I would try this. This is a very plot driven book about an astronaut stranded on Mars and his efforts to survive until rescue. Action moves between Mark's (the astronaut) log entries about his time on Mars and the action back in Houston as NASA works to rescue him. There is a lot of science as Mark Macgyvers his way through near death situations. I am a reader who reads for character not plot so most ...more

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Oct 09, 2015 Bill Doughty rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, science, outdoorsy, space

This was mostly very good, though a little too detail-heavy at times and way too much of the "Everything will be fine so long as this one thing doesn't break. OH NO THIS ONE THING BROKE!" to take seriously after a while. But on the whole it's solid, surprisingly funny, and as good a sales pitch for STEM education as you're likely to ever read. ...more

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Dec 02, 2015 Sarah left GR rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

The Martian is by no means a perfect novel, but it passed my 5-star test: by the last chapter, I slowed my reading pace down considerably because I didn't want to reach the end.

Exciting, suspenseful, and occasionally laugh-out-loud funny. Don't expect subtlety or poetry: just strap yourself into your acceleration couch and enjoy the ride. ...more

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