Weir, Andy ; The Martian ; Informal Buddy Read ; Start Date Dec 7, 2014

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

What is a Buddy Read?

This is an "Informal Buddy Read"
An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

Book synopsis
Apollo 13 meets Cast Away in this grippingly detailed, brilliantly ingenious man-vs-nature survival thriller, set on the surface of Mars.

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?

[RachelvlehcaR]

I'm in!

[Rose]

I'm in

[Snowtulip]

I have this in paperback, but I keep hearing how great the audio is for this. Can't wait to read either way!

[Saphirablue]

Why only now? ;.; I've already read it. :/

I wish you a lot of fun with this one. :)

[Cynthia]

Saphirablue wrote: "Why only now? ;.; I've already read it. :/

I wish you a lot of fun with this one. :)"

If you read it after 11/8, you can discuss it with us and get the BR points.

[Saphirablue]

Yes! I did! I forgot about that! :) *bounces* Thank you for reminding me!

[Cynthia]

Are we ready to start?

[Snowtulip]

Cynthia, I'm so ready to start! I'm going to get some time to myself in a few hours, so I have a date with The Martian then :D

[Cynthia]

Excellent! I read 3 chapters last night and I like it. It has an journal format, which I like a lot.

Did you vote for it or another books in the GCA? (I'm being a little presumptuous, assuming you voted). I voted for Influx, but I also really liked Lock In. I've got both Sand Omnibus and Apolonia on my TBR list. The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August looks interesting, but I'm unfamiliar with the author.

Enough tangential chatter and back to the book (view spoiler)[
I like Mark. He's someone I could probably hang out with. I also admire that he's taking control of the situation and not panicking. It's not like he went to a concert with a group of friends, everyone got high and forgot him there and then he had to take the bus home. He's on Mars!!! Gaaah! I would probably just open the airlock and walk outside. (hide spoiler)]

[Saphirablue]

@Cynthia: (view spoiler)[That is something I like about Mark too. He might panic a bit but he takes control over it and the situation and starts working on a solution. :) He also has a great sense of humor and is just very likeable. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[I also like Mark, he's funny and adapting extremely well! I guess I'll know what to do if I'm ever stranded on Mars ;)

I just started the first few pages of Chapter 6 and am really curious how taking these images of Mars will hopefully help Mars...did he even put an SOS type of message on the surface of Mars? (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

I should be able to start this tonight. I'm super excited!

[Cynthia]

Chapter 6 (view spoiler)[
He does have a great sense of humor. I love the closing of Chapter 6 re Aquaman and the whales. How many times did you think that when you were a kid? It didn't make any sense.

I was worried about the 02 Mark would exhale when was wearing the mask, but that's only because I'm a nurse and know way too much about oxygen delivery systems. I'm not surprised a mechanical engineer/botanist wouldn't think of it. I'm more surprised that he figured it out! (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

I'm listening to the audiobook. I'm only up to ch 3 but I'm enjoying it so far. The narrator is excellent. I've laughed out loud a few times which I wasn't expecting.

[Cynthia]

It truly is laugh out loud funny in a lot of places.

Especially (Chappter 11) (view spoiler)[
Mark's commenting on a laptop that he took outside the HAB unprotected, imagining writing a review: 'Brought product to surface of Mars. It stopped working. 0/10.'

I found this especially funny because I've often spent way too much time on Amazon reading ridiculous product reviews, and this one would fit right in.
(hide spoiler)]

From Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[
Seriously! You're going to start talking about a HAB failure before we're even halfway into the book! GAAAH! Stop right now!

I had to rant. I'm right in the middle of loving Mark and being hopeful, and he's making me laugh more than I have in a long time, so STOP IT! (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

Cynthia wrote: "It truly is laugh out loud funny in a lot of places.

Especially (Chappter 11)
Mark's commenting on a laptop that he took outside the HAB unprotected, imagining writing a review: 'Brought product ..."

I'm a bit over half way through. The spoilers you mentioned both got me. I have the first one highlighted on my Kindle, because I want to leave that review online somewhere now.

I am more than a little bit in love with this book. It takes pages of calculations that would normally have me asleep and makes them incredibly interesting. Also, the humor is amazing. I feel like he's the type of person that you would either strangle, or fall in love with after hanging out with him in an enclosed space.

Spoiler? (view spoiler)[ Look! Boobs! (.Y.) (hide spoiler)] ;P

[Cynthia]

You got me. I was in bed on my phone and couldn't click the spoiler, so I got out of bed to check it out. And it's (view spoiler)[ boobs. I've certainly done more for less so I can't complain! (hide spoiler)]

The more I read, the more I love his sense of humor. I'm also in awe of the talent it takes to turn the dry figures into a passage that's so accessible.

Two more important things to add:
1. I may as well have a snack now that I'm up.
2. I am definitely going to find a way to incorporate (view spoiler)[ (.Y.) (hide spoiler)] into a text. Tomorrow, when I'm not under the influence of a hypnotic and thus text restricted.

[Saphirablue]

Cynthia wrote: "It truly is laugh out loud funny in a lot of places.

Especially (Chappter 11)
Mark's commenting on a laptop that he took outside the HAB unprotected, imagining writing a review: 'Brought product ..."

I loved that line and I had to laugh out loud.

The humor (and the science) is a big thing I loved this book so much. And there is so much more to come. :)

(view spoiler)[I also love the POV changes to Earth and to learn what Earth is doing to rescue/help him.

It's been a gutting to read when Mindy and Venkat figured out that Mark is still alive...

That moment when the HAB "blew up"? I've been really wondering how he'll get out of this situation.


Also, just wait for Chapter 17...
(hide spoiler)]


*gah* This makes me want to read the book again...

[Kim]

im in on this one! only read chapter one..

i need to reread it, because im confused..the MAV..is that the vehicle they drive on mars around on? or what they go home on? i think the 300 days worth of food confused me..cause i was thinking of MAV being just something they drive around on..then he's talking about it being gone and he's being stuck on mars forever.

[Kim]

nevermind! i just reread it, I somehow skipped the passage or didnt really comprehend it about how they get back to Hermes after surface ops were complete LOL:)

[Snowtulip]

Just finished ch. 15 (view spoiler)[I'm so invested in Mark right now, that I'm a bit devastated that Iris just blew up with his food!!!I've avoided any spoilers from people about this book, and how it ends, aagghh, it's killing me! He better survive. (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

I'm finished, and I don't think I've ever read a book with basically a single character carrying the plot, in a single location, with a single goal in mind, that had so many damn ups and downs! It was a total emotional roller coaster.

I'm renaming it (view spoiler)[ Tom Hanks Goes to Mars. Won't work. No Wilson, and that would confuse everyone. Unless Mark made a little Potato Head man and called him Wilson. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

Cynthia wrote: "I'm finished, and I don't think I've ever read a book with basically a single character carrying the plot, in a single location, with a single goal in mind, that had so many damn ups and downs! It ..."

That movie was all I could think about in the end, too! I'm pretty sure if he did that he might have wound up... (view spoiler)[...fulfilling his homicidal potato eating thoughts. I totally saved that quote for fun (hide spoiler)]

I finished it about two hours ago. My heart rate has almost returned to normal.

[Saphirablue]

Snowtulip wrote: "Just finished ch. 15 [spoilers removed]"

Gosh, (view spoiler)[ that has been a heart stopping moment. I felt so sad for the people at NASA and then thinking of Mark asking how the launch went? :/

He better survive.
I've been saying that ou loud while reading a lot.
(hide spoiler)]

@Cynthia: It was a total emotional roller coaster.

Yes, it was and it still is when I think about it. :) This book is one of my highlights for 2014. :)

[Snowtulip]

space pirate! LOVE!

[Snowtulip]

Ch 22(view spoiler)["I can't wait till I have grandchildren. 'When I was younger, I had to walk to the rim of a crater. Uphill! In an EVA suit! On Mars, ya little shit! Ya hear me? Mars!" - love it!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

love this book so far! thought I wouldn't because numbers and science and things like that, but the sense of humor is awesome

[Snowtulip]

Kim wrote: "love this book so far! thought I wouldn't because numbers and science and things like that, but the sense of humor is awesome"

It's been awhile since I read a book with humor I liked as much as this!

[Kim]

i just got to the space pirate part LOL love it!

[Snowtulip]

Kim wrote: "i just got to the space pirate part LOL love it!"

He cracks me up!

[Snowtulip]

Ending (view spoiler)[I was white knuckled at the end there, so glad he made it! BUT, I wanted a proper Mark moment...I guess I needed a little more time with him, maybe an epilogue (hide spoiler)]

[Kelly]

My husband stole the book after it came in from the library :) So I think I'll see if he wants to post on the buddy read instead.

[Cynthia]

Snowtulip wrote: "Ending [spoilers removed]"

I was definitely (view spoiler)[ in need of something bigger than that moment with the little boy. It wasn't enough. I don't feel like the end lives up to the rest of the book. It's sorta 'we got him, we made it back, the end.'

Maybe he was afraid a more powerful ending, like something happening or sending him back to Mars, would piss people off more. You know how people accuse authors of setting up their books for sequels.

IDK. I wanted more at the end. No crime in that. (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

i am mixed on the ending (view spoiler)[i liked the comment like hell no! no holding back, but in a way i was expecting a bigger ending too. maybe not like sending him back type thing, but something more. (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

better ending idea!(view spoiler)[maybe an epilogue with him and his grandchildren! like the one chapter LOL (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

It just the last couple of pages. Almost like 'I'm running out of ink. Let me make this short.'

[Snowtulip]

Kelly wrote: "My husband stole the book after it came in from the library :) So I think I'll see if he wants to post on the buddy read instead."

You need to steal it back Kelly ;) It's a must read now type of book!

[Snowtulip]

Kim wrote: "better ending idea![spoilers removed]"

Yes!! Because I loved that chapter :D

[RachelvlehcaR]

What an amazing first chapter. That is the best first sentence to any book I've ever read.

(view spoiler)[
I am just blown away by the first chapter of this book. Let alone the first sentence, "I'm pretty much f#@^ed."

I feel really bad that he is the only guy left. That he lowest in rank but the if he is the only one left then he is in command. The humor is funny but sad.

Poor guy, they had to abort and he was the only one that didn't make it to the MAV.

Haha. The humor. "The Hab was intact (yay!) and the MAV was gone (boo!)."

What a nightmare! (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

This book is full of humor. And yes, that was an amazing first sentence. It's raised the bar.

[Saphirablue]

Yeah, I've been (view spoiler)[ a bit dissatisfied with the ending too. I wanted a scene with the crew of Hermes when all the adrenaline from his rescue gone. Or when he talks with his parents. Or when he is back on Earth. *sighs*

But, isn't it always that way with such books? :(
(hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

It's been a week since I finished and I still think of this book, I've adopted the phrase, "what would Mark do?"

My husband finally decided to read it after he finishes Ancillary Justice, so I can quit nagging him to read it :D

[[deleted user]]

Saphirablue wrote: "Cynthia wrote: "It truly is laugh out loud funny in a lot of places."

I was wondering how the author would be able to fill the whole book with Mark when it switched to the pov of Earth.

I'm on chapter 9 it's still very interesting and funny in places. The author really keeps it a nail biting story.

[[deleted user]]

RachelvlehcaR wrote: "What an amazing first chapter. That is the best first sentence to any book I've ever read.


I am just blown away by the first chapter of this book. Let alone the first sentence, "I'm pretty muc..."

(view spoiler)[I know and then at the end of the chapter when he goes through all the ways he could die. "So yeah. I'm fucked." (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

Snowtulip wrote: "It's been a week since I finished and I still think of this book, I've adopted the phrase, "what would Mark do?"

My husband finally decided to read it after he finishes [book:Ancillary Justice|173..."


I wasn't a huge fan of Ancillary. I stopped and started it several times, and only finished it for the challenge. Of course, a lot of people loved it and by the end I'm curious enough that I'll probably read the next one. I still think he'll find this book flies by in comparison.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Pigletto wrote: "RachelvlehcaR wrote: "What an amazing first chapter. That is the best first sentence to any book I've ever read.


I am just blown away by the first chapter of this book. Let alone the first sen..."

It's a scary idea. Very much so.

[RachelvlehcaR]

I finished the first 25% chunk of the book.
(view spoiler)[ poor Mark. To be stranded like that. He is doing really well. NASA finding out. Mindy crying about him being left. I would to. It kind of reminds me of those stories out in Antarctica or Into the Wild.

10 months to travel there. I couldn't imagine all that. (hide spoiler)]

[Karsten]

Snowtulip wrote: "Kelly wrote: "My husband stole the book after it came in from the library :) So I think I'll see if he wants to post on the buddy read instead."

You need to steal it back Kelly ;) It's a must rea..."

Once I steal a book it doesn't get stolen back!

[Karsten]

I finished the book.
(view spoiler)[ I really liked the book. The disasters did get a little much after a while. Even though they were all situations that he could have pulled himself out of, it started to feel like a bond movie. One hat trick after another to save himself, all very impressive, but you can only beat death so many times. He clearly should have been dead. Granted the story would have sucked and I didn't want him to die.

Anyway. I thought his inventiveness was awesome and his living was well deserved.

The most depressing part of the book was probably when he lost his farm. I have no idea how he kept going and didn't give up.


It's apparently getting made into a movie for next year. I can't wait.


(hide spoiler)]