The Martian in Around the Year in 52 Books

Oct 04, 2014 Blaine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2015, favorite-books, 2021, favorite-reviews, hardcover, audible

Longtime readers of my reviews know that I think a lot—more than a person should, really—about those rare books that are not as good as the movie. I keep a rolling list in my profile, but there are three broad groups. There are flawed books that were turned into good movies, like A Clockwork Orange, The Devil Wears Prada and The Perks of Being a Wallflower). There are solid books that were turned into great movies, like Searching for Bobby Fischer, Starship Troopers, Jaws, and The Hunt fo Longtime readers of my reviews know that I think a lot—more than a person should, really—about those rare books that are not as good as the movie. I keep a rolling list in my profile, but there are three broad groups. There are flawed books that were turned into good movies, like A Clockwork Orange, The Devil Wears Prada and The Perks of Being a Wallflower). There are solid books that were turned into great movies, like Searching for Bobby Fischer, Starship Troopers, Jaws, and The Hunt for Red October). And then there are great books turned were turned into all-time masterpiece-level movies, a list that includes The Godfather, The Silence of the Lambs, The Princess Bride, and the book that brings us here today: The Martian.

I imagine few people are coming to this review without having read the book, or seen the movie, or both. But for the uninitiated, our hero, NASA Astronaut Mark Watney, lays out the set-up quite nicely:

So that’s the situation. I’m stranded on Mars. I have no way to communicate with Hermes or Earth. Everyone thinks I’m dead. I’m in a Hab designed to last thirty-one days.

If the oxygenator breaks down, I’ll suffocate. If the water reclaimer breaks down, I’ll die of thirst. If the Hab breaches, I’ll just kind of explode. If none of those things happen, I’ll eventually run out of food and starve to death.

So yeah. I’m f**ked.

The book then tells the tale of how Watney, a mechanical engineer and botanist by training, solves one problem after another (including several of his own making) in an attempt to stay alive on Mars long enough to be rescued.

The book works for two main reasons. First, the plot is uniquely driven by science. Watney and NASA have to use science—apparently very realistic science—to figure out how to get the food, water, communication, and transportation he needs. And that science provides plenty of believable twists that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Second, and equally important, is the tone of this largely first-person narrative. Watney’s character runs through the full range of human emotions over the course of the story, and the reader is instantly drawn into rooting for him. Plus, he is a smart, sarcastic hoot-and-a-half, and his observations are often hilarious:

Everything went great right up to the explosion.
...
Yes, of course duct tape works in a near-vacuum. Duct tape works anywhere. Duct tape is magic and should be worshiped.
...
I need some encouragement. I need to ask myself, “What would an Apollo astronaut do?”

He'd drink three whiskey sours, drive his Corvette to the launchpad, then fly to the moon in a command module smaller than my Rover. Man those guys were cool.
...
If I could have anything, it would be a radio to ask NASA the safe path down the Ramp. Well, if I could have anything, it would be for the green-skinned yet beautiful Queen of Mars to rescue me so she can learn more about this Earth thing called “lovemaking.”

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a woman. Just sayin’.

People compare this book to Robinson Crusoe. There’s a similarity to be sure, but The Martian is soooo much better. Even if you don't think of yourself as a fan of science fiction, this book transcends the genre and is a must read for all.

P.S. I listened to the audiobook this time. Wil Wheaton is, as always, a very good narrator. The audiobook came with four additional short stories told from Watney’s first-person perspective. The first three—Diary of an AssCan, I Made It, and Car Trouble—tell prequel tales from when he was in training for his mission to Mars. The fourth—The Earthling—takes place after The Martian and offers a different postscript than the one in the movie. None of the stories are long enough to add any real depth to Watney’s character, but each has at least a couple of very funny lines. ...more

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Dec 12, 2014 Harini rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own, humor, favorites, sci-fi

4.5 Stars

One of the best books I have read this year. Highly recommend.

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Dec 13, 2014 Katie rated it really liked it

Shelves: mars, very-fun-reads, worthwhile-sci-fis

I read the end blurbs of the ebook of The Martian and couldn't have been less surprised to learn that it sold the movie rights at nearly the same time that it was signed for print publication. This has big screen popular appeal to an absolutely ridiculous degree.

So, Mark Watney is stranded on Mars. The rest of the book is a scientifically accurate (another thing that's mentioned in the back matter) relay of the many, many, many, holy shit many, things that can kill him if he doesn't figure out a ...more

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Sep 28, 2015 Brendan M. rated it really liked it

Mark Watney isn't as funny as he thinks he is. Otherwise, great book! ...more

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Jun 19, 2014 Nikki rated it did not like it

Shelves: ebook, 2015, fiction, own-kindle, science-fiction

**Just saw the movie, even Matt Damon could not make me tolerate the immaturity and lack of introspection of Watney (although the movie did add a few emotional moments to the otherwise monotone Watney). I have subsequently decided to lower my rating.**

First of all, you know this idiot is not going to die. Second of all, the novel is clearly meant to be clever and funny but it is dull and immature instead. And for some strange reason, I do not find referring to mothers as prostitutes or a probe a ...more

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Nov 01, 2015 Laurie rated it really liked it

http://abookloverswalk.blogspot.com/2... ...more

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Mar 07, 2015 Tanya rated it it was amazing

Favorite book of 2015-so far

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Dec 20, 2015 Charlie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, 2016, own

So intense and amazing! I can't recommend this enough! I never thought a sci-fi full of science details would make me feel all the feels. LOVED IT ...more

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