The Martian
Andy Weir, 2014
387 pp.
Book Review by Molly Lundquist
January, 2015
You're screwed. You're alone...stranded millions of miles from earth...and everyone there thinks you're dead. But you're not, are you? At least, not yet—although unless you're really, really smart, you will be.
So how smart is "really smart"? Well, as smart as an astronaut or NASA ground operator. Those people are super smart, and if you're one of them, or in contact with one of them, your chances of survival are much improved.
Turns out, you're an astronaut!—which is how you landed (so to speak) in this mess to begin with, and which also means you might just survive till the next Mars landing in 4 years.
That's the setup and the particular joy of reading The Martian: extremely bright people solving astronomically difficult problems. It's great fun, even if the science for many (most?) of us is over our heads. And there is a lot of science in the book. But think of it as Science Sherlock (and then, sigh, think of Benedict Cumberbatch; he might even do the movie role...because surely there will be a movie...no, wait, it's Matt Damon).
The book is short on character development: no deep insight, past or present, into Mark Watney (the stranded earthling). All we know is that he was selected for the Mars mission because of his ingenious approach to problem solving and his tendency to deflect tension with humor, traits his crew mates loved—and the same traits on display in the book.
Even though character isn't the author's intent, we come to know Watney's voice through the log he keeps, which comprises the majority of the book. Watney writes a blow-by-blow account of his daily activities on the Red Planet and the many ways Mars is intent on killing him. It makes for some funny, but very gripping, reading.
No plot spoilers here, just the novel's setup. Work through the science because it's thrilling to realize the extent of brilliance here on our own planet, including that of the author, Andy Weir (although in an interview, Weir claims he's no where near as smart as his protagonist. Hmm.).
The book also showcases the nation's "can-do" spirit—something that seems to be in short supply in our collective imagination, thanks to constant harping by much of our media. Weir reminds us we still have it (even if only fictionally).
This is a terrific book: funny, informative, and deeply moving. It offers up rich pleasures even if you're not a science geek. And if you are a geek...well have at it!
See our Reading Guide for The Martian.