I don’t typically gravitate towards science-fiction novels, but after reading two of Andy Weir‘s books, it’s clear that anything this author writers is going to be an absolute must-read for me. The Martian is extraordinary sci-fi story that wonderfully blends heart-stopping moments, dark humor, and emotion. It’s a thrilling rollercoaster ride that had me hooked from start to finish.
Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.
After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue 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 kill 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. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?
The premise of The Martian is chilling and fascinating. Imagine being stranded alone on Mars–that alone is the utterly terrifying and claustrophobic scenario Andy Weir has built in this novel. Yet, even in such a horrifying setting, Weir is able to weave in wit and dark humor to keep the story balanced. The combination of great science-fiction, psychological tension, and carefully dirty jokes rockets The Martian into an unforgettable masterpiece.
Of course, at the heart of this story is Mark Watney–the man stranded on Mars–one of the most well-crafted characters I have ever read, not just in science-fiction but in modern fiction as a whole. Watney is resourceful, funny, and incredibly human, making him someone you truly can root for. His dark humor and unrelenting determination to survive against impossible odds makes for an unforgettable character.
Full disclosure, I did read The Martian about 10 years after seeing Ridley Scott‘s 2015 film adaptation. Surprisingly, knowing parts of the story didn’t diminish the novels impact; both the novel and the film stood on their own merits. When seeing the film for the first time I felt Matt Damon was a great casting as the lead role and after reading the novel it only solidified my thoughts on the casting. The Martian is one of those rare stories where both the novel and movie are something I would gladly revisit again.
Andy Weir had me hooked from the very first page of The Martian until the final chapter. This novel is a masterful blend of science fiction, psychological tension, and sharp dark humor making it a must-read, even if science-fiction isn’t your thing. Weir wrote the shit out of this book–if you know, you know.
The Martian is available at bookstores everywhere from Ballantine Books. The audiobook, narrated by Wil Wheaton, is available on Audible.
