The Martian in Around the Year in 52 Books

Mar 03, 2015 Nancy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This should have been a 5 star read - in fact I'd give it 4.5 stars, but I listened to it as an audiobook and although it was a brilliant way to experience this book, it is also what lost it half a star. The story of Mark Watney, who is left behind after one of the manned Mars missions is aborted, is fascinating. This is proper science fiction, with lots of science! It would be really interesting to see how much of it is feasible, but I completely admire the author for his endless ability to fin ...more

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May 19, 2016 Trish rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, zsrc-2016-2-summer

This is a pretty awesome book. A story of survival against the odds, and the bravery not to give up. And sure, it has some scientific and techie stuff, but they were explained well enough to be understandable. I wonder if Andy Weir will write anything else.

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Feb 15, 2014 Jessica rated it liked it

Shelves: science-fiction

I'd heard great things about this book, so I was quite excited to get to read it. My conclusion? It's going to be a great movie, but as a book it is held back by some of the author's choices.

I knew going into the book that it was humorous, so I wasn't expecting a suspense filled experience. But I have to say, the narrator's journal entries stretched believability. We know little about him - nothing about his past or his relationships with anyone outside of his parents and crewmates. His journal ...more

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Jan 06, 2015 SibylM rated it it was ok

Shelves: fiction, science-fiction

Well, two and a half stars, really. I love the idea for this book, and I was pulling for Watney all the way. But after a while I got disaster fatigue. What horrible thing will happen to him next and how will he MacGuyver his way out of it? And there's a reason I never watched MacGuyver - that's just not interesting to me. Plus, he was a bit of a Gary Stu with his phenomenal ability to escape every catastrophe and endlessly plucky attitude. This book seemed like it was more about the science than ...more

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Oct 08, 2015 Tanya rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: format-audiobook, 2015

This was a fun listen as an audiobook. Not sure I would have picked it up to read, except that I got into a conversation with my daughter's teacher and he was searching for an audio version before heading out to see the movie. I felt that the humor provided a nice balance with the technical information. I am amazed at how the rescue plan can continue to evolve and how much MacGuyvering can occur if one is nerdy enough to have have that much relevant technical information. Some ideas and even phr ...more

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Feb 17, 2014 Cherie Lampley rated it really liked it

4.5 Really enjoyed this one. It was funny and thrilling.

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Mar 11, 2014 Meghan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: book-club, humor, science-fiction-and-fantasy, mystery-and-thriller, great-characters, science, great-narration, escapist-flavorwire-list, npr-concierge, 21st-c

Wow. If I could give this more than five stars I would. The best blend of scary thriller, geeky science, laugh-out-loud funny, totally believable science fiction. Excellent audiobook version.

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