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The Martian Week Two discussion
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As for who notified the crew of what was up, I've never actually thought it was Mitch who sent the email. He bitched about the decision to not tell the crew quite vociferously, several times, but always followed orders. The squeaky wheel might get the grease, but it's the quiet ones that will kill you.
There aren't any characters that I hate. Even Teddy really isn't a bad guy. He's my least favorite, but he's still looking out for everyone.
I didn't like where Andy put the flashback. I would have liked it earlier, along with introductions to the other crew members. It's the one thing I didn't care for about the book. I've always thought it best if major characters all show up towards the beginning of a story. It doesn't have to be within the first chapter, but somewhere in the first quarter of the book they all need to be introduced. Late introductions of main characters is a pet peeve of mine.
Kamas wrote: ""Rich Purnell is a steely eyed missile man" might be the best literary opening to a rebellion I've seen. As for the mutiny itself; I can certainly feel for them wanting to do it. And from the milit..."
Kamas, I hope you're not working too hard.
I agree wholeheartedly about wanting the reliving closer to the beginning. When I first started reading it I thought it was a dream that Mark was having and when I realized it wasn't I thought hmmm.
I also have my doubts about Mitch, but when he smirked at Teddy during their meeting I thought yeah maybe, but no I'm not convinced either.
Love the quote :)
Kamas, I hope you're not working too hard.
I agree wholeheartedly about wanting the reliving closer to the beginning. When I first started reading it I thought it was a dream that Mark was having and when I realized it wasn't I thought hmmm.
I also have my doubts about Mitch, but when he smirked at Teddy during their meeting I thought yeah maybe, but no I'm not convinced either.
Love the quote :)

"Jesus, we're gonna end up in Oz" I laughed my butt off at this one! :)
Ang from OZ wrote: "I'm giving my answers some thought, but for now I'll fill you on my fav quote from this section...
"Jesus, we're gonna end up in Oz" I laughed my butt off at this one! :)"
LOL
"Jesus, we're gonna end up in Oz" I laughed my butt off at this one! :)"
LOL
I'll post more comments later, but for now, here's some favorite quotes:
"...then NASA will have four hours of meetings before telling me to cover it with duct tape."
"Duct tape is magic and should be worshiped."
"Maybe I'll post a consumer review. "Bought product to surface of Mars. It stopped working. 0/10.""
That last one may have been from the first section, but I still thought it was clever and funny. And I also liked "Rich Purnell is a steely eyed missile man" that Kamas has already mentioned.
"...then NASA will have four hours of meetings before telling me to cover it with duct tape."
"Duct tape is magic and should be worshiped."
"Maybe I'll post a consumer review. "Bought product to surface of Mars. It stopped working. 0/10.""
That last one may have been from the first section, but I still thought it was clever and funny. And I also liked "Rich Purnell is a steely eyed missile man" that Kamas has already mentioned.

TarHeelGirl00 wrote: "I'll post more comments later, but for now, here's some favorite quotes:
"...then NASA will have four hours of meetings before telling me to cover it with duct tape."
"Duct tape is magic and shou..."
TarHeelGirl I love the quotes you chose the duct tape and Steely Eyed missile man were on my list too!
"...then NASA will have four hours of meetings before telling me to cover it with duct tape."
"Duct tape is magic and shou..."
TarHeelGirl I love the quotes you chose the duct tape and Steely Eyed missile man were on my list too!
Ang from OZ wrote: "Most of the comments Mark makes are laugh out loud!! Such sarcastic humor! Defintely makes the book a winner for me. Although I have read some reviews where all the humor grew a bit thin and wore..."
I haven't read the reviews for this book, this may sound strange and maybe it's because I'm an editorial reviewer but reviews have a way of altering my feel of a book and I won't read them until after I've finished. I do enjoy reader reviews though, but still only after
I haven't read the reviews for this book, this may sound strange and maybe it's because I'm an editorial reviewer but reviews have a way of altering my feel of a book and I won't read them until after I've finished. I do enjoy reader reviews though, but still only after
Debbie wrote: "I was wondering who is going to see the movie?"
I am very curious how Mark will be portrayed in the movie as compared to the book, so yes, I want to see it. But I'll probably wait for RedBox.
I am very curious how Mark will be portrayed in the movie as compared to the book, so yes, I want to see it. But I'll probably wait for RedBox.
TarHeelGirl00 wrote: "Debbie wrote: "I was wondering who is going to see the movie?"
I am very curious how Mark will be portrayed in the movie as compared to the book, so yes, I want to see it. But I'll probably wait f..."
My bff and I haveplans to see it at the movies. Since both our hubbys dont do movies we are each others movie buddie. I did notice from the preview I think they are portraying Mark as married.
I am very curious how Mark will be portrayed in the movie as compared to the book, so yes, I want to see it. But I'll probably wait f..."
My bff and I haveplans to see it at the movies. Since both our hubbys dont do movies we are each others movie buddie. I did notice from the preview I think they are portraying Mark as married.

Like you, Debbie, I usually try to avoid reviews of books I know I'm going to read until afterwards. Reviews are something I check out beforehand only if I'm trying to decide if I should read it or not.
Susan wrote: "We needed to know what happened with the crew on Mars, I think it was perfect timming to tell us.
I think the Pathfinder blowing up also made sense in the book, it shows us another side of Mark, I ..."
Hey Susan, great thoughts. I think the humor is almost like it's own character and so very important to the read.
I think the Pathfinder blowing up also made sense in the book, it shows us another side of Mark, I ..."
Hey Susan, great thoughts. I think the humor is almost like it's own character and so very important to the read.

I'm glad we got to see what really went on when the crew had to abort that day. I was just a bit thrown off by where it was placed in the book. I thought if we did hear their side it would be at the beginning or the end, not in the middle.
Honestly, I wasn't sure why we were learning all about the canvas. Looking back, I can't believe how I never saw it coming, but at the time, I was completely shocked. I had thought Mark overcame all his most difficult problems and just had to keep things in order until he was rescued. Boy was I wrong!
I wasn't expecting mutiny, but I was sure glad they decided to go against orders. It wasn't looking like Mark was going to be saved any other way.
As for Mitch, I do think he was the one who tipped off the crew about the Rich Purnell Maneuver. The way he acted when he was in Teddy's office and that smile... And his closing lines, "But if I wasn't willing to take risks to save lives, I'd..." He thought for a moment. "Well, I'd be you." WOW!
I do want to watch the movie. I'd like to see how it compares to the book.
April wrote: "My least favorite character had to be Teddy. He wasn't a bad guy, I just wanted him to want to save Mark as much as I did.
Yeah me too April hindsight, right about the canvas information. I just kept reading wondering why on earth are they telling us this and then wham! ;-)
I'm also interested in the movie adaptation.
Thanks for the great comments!
Yeah me too April hindsight, right about the canvas information. I just kept reading wondering why on earth are they telling us this and then wham! ;-)
I'm also interested in the movie adaptation.
Thanks for the great comments!
Wow! Pretty much sums up week two’s section.
Revelations, OMG’s and a little mutiny makes for some pulse pounding, heart stopping reading.
Mark’s still alive, he’s still got his humor and thanks to Mitch (if you believe he did it) the crew is on their way back for a Mars Drive-By.
I hope everyone is still enjoying the interplanetary journey.
Let’s get on with the discussion
Staying with the enjoying the interplanetary thought
Who is your least favorite character and why?
Lets talk about reliving the crew’s abort of Mars.
What do you think about Andy’s decision to include this now?
Does it make it more real or was it unnecessary?
Okay I have to admit I did NOT see this airlock/Pathfinder catastrophe coming even though I knew we were getting prepped for something because of the canvas updates.
Were you waiting for the other shoe to drop or did you get slam dunked like me?
Mutiny!
Did you expect it?
Any favorite quotes from this section?