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Ashley Marie 's Reviews > The Martian
The Martian
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Ashley Marie 's review
bookshelves: sci-fi, killer-thriller-night, favorites, audiobook-would-recommend, adaptation-loved-it, book-hangover-like-whoa
Apr 29, 2015
bookshelves: sci-fi, killer-thriller-night, favorites, audiobook-would-recommend, adaptation-loved-it, book-hangover-like-whoa
Holy crap.
Holy. Crap.
I implore all of you, everyone who sees this-- if there is one audiobook you listen to this year, make it this one. If you're not an audiobook person or you're just really picky, please give this one a shot. Thank me later. This has been a PSA.
Like everyone else, I've been hearing about this book for MONTHS. I was skeptical because a) space really isn't my thing and b) science really isn't my thing and c) this book involves both of those things. To me, astronauts = meh. Yeah, I know. But then people were raving about the audio, and talking about how funny it was. A science book, funny? eeeeenteresting. So I picked it up from the library earlier this week.
Thank god for the comic relief and the witty one-liners and the sarcasm, because without that this book would have been horrendously dull in between all the near-death experiences (and there are plenty). There's plenty of science-speak as Watney describes what he's doing or what he's fucked up or the NASA people describe what they need him to do or what they hope doesn't happen. Andy Weir imbued his characters with great senses of humor though -- not just Watney -- and it really pulls everything together.
And then by the end it's verging on TOO INTENSE and I was literally on the edge of my seat. At my desk. At work. And I didn't care because that's how EFFING GOOD this book is.
Okay so I might have liked a bit more closure at the end, but come on. This story is clearly about one man's journey. And for that, it gets all the stars.
Update 10/20/15: Saw the film just now. Really liked it. Better than the book? No. As good as the book? Ehhhh... I felt like they could have put in more of Watney's sarcasm, and correct me if I'm wrong but I don't remember (view spoiler)
ETA August 2024: I finally got around to reading Andy's bonus chapter, Lost Sols, which was released in February of 2024, and it was so cute! Surprised there's not a GR page for it, but it's tiny. If you're a Martian fan and haven't read about the Fucking Ravine adventure, make haste!
Holy. Crap.
I implore all of you, everyone who sees this-- if there is one audiobook you listen to this year, make it this one. If you're not an audiobook person or you're just really picky, please give this one a shot. Thank me later. This has been a PSA.
Like everyone else, I've been hearing about this book for MONTHS. I was skeptical because a) space really isn't my thing and b) science really isn't my thing and c) this book involves both of those things. To me, astronauts = meh. Yeah, I know. But then people were raving about the audio, and talking about how funny it was. A science book, funny? eeeeenteresting. So I picked it up from the library earlier this week.
Thank god for the comic relief and the witty one-liners and the sarcasm, because without that this book would have been horrendously dull in between all the near-death experiences (and there are plenty). There's plenty of science-speak as Watney describes what he's doing or what he's fucked up or the NASA people describe what they need him to do or what they hope doesn't happen. Andy Weir imbued his characters with great senses of humor though -- not just Watney -- and it really pulls everything together.
And then by the end it's verging on TOO INTENSE and I was literally on the edge of my seat. At my desk. At work. And I didn't care because that's how EFFING GOOD this book is.
Okay so I might have liked a bit more closure at the end, but come on. This story is clearly about one man's journey. And for that, it gets all the stars.
Update 10/20/15: Saw the film just now. Really liked it. Better than the book? No. As good as the book? Ehhhh... I felt like they could have put in more of Watney's sarcasm, and correct me if I'm wrong but I don't remember (view spoiler)
ETA August 2024: I finally got around to reading Andy's bonus chapter, Lost Sols, which was released in February of 2024, and it was so cute! Surprised there's not a GR page for it, but it's tiny. If you're a Martian fan and haven't read about the Fucking Ravine adventure, make haste!
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Quotes Ashley Marie Liked
“Yes, of course duct tape works in a near-vacuum. Duct tape works anywhere. Duct tape is magic and should be worshiped.”
― The Martian
― The Martian
“Elrond,” Bruce said. “The Council of Elrond. From Lord of the Rings. It’s the meeting where they decide to destroy the One Ring.”
“Jesus,” Annie said. “None of you got laid in high school, did you?”
― The Martian
“Jesus,” Annie said. “None of you got laid in high school, did you?”
― The Martian
Reading Progress
April 29, 2015
– Shelved as:
to-read
April 29, 2015
– Shelved
April 29, 2015
– Shelved as:
sci-fi
August 18, 2015
–
Started Reading
August 18, 2015
–
0%
"Dammit Jim, I'm a botanist not a chemist!
There are copious amounts of science and math (two of my least favorite things) but the humor and wit really hold everything together, and RC Bray's narration is phenomenal."
There are copious amounts of science and math (two of my least favorite things) but the humor and wit really hold everything together, and RC Bray's narration is phenomenal."
August 18, 2015
–
0%
"Went and looked at the wiki page for the film adaptation. Cast looks good except for Kapoor. Why the hell would they change his name instead of just casting an Indian actor? #LAME"
August 18, 2015
– Shelved as:
killer-thriller-night
August 18, 2015
–
0%
"Just watched the trailer. I NEED THIS RIGHT EFFING NOW. ugh. it's gonna be awesome."
August 20, 2015
–
0%
"I had a thought, and then it poofed. Dying to go watch the full trailer (since I only watched the first half last time), but I refuse to spoil myself.
This better have a happy ending, goddammit."
This better have a happy ending, goddammit."
August 20, 2015
–
0%
"cheezus christ on a cracker. don't you guys remember what happened the last time you tried to rush things/take important stuff off? my fingernails are GONE over here, you hear me??"
August 20, 2015
– Shelved as:
favorites
August 20, 2015
–
Finished Reading
September 25, 2015
– Shelved as:
audiobook-would-recommend
October 20, 2015
– Shelved as:
adaptation-loved-it
October 22, 2015
– Shelved as:
book-hangover-like-whoa
Comments Showing 1-17 of 17 (17 new)
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rated it 4 stars
Aug 20, 2015 02:13PM
glad you loved it:)
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I just got into audios so I'll definitely go the audio route with this. Its probably easier than actually reading it anyway for a non science fan. Thanks!
Nice review, Ashley. I'm still not convinced, but there doesn't really seem to be anything that's able to convince me. Space is definitely my thing, and I find science interesting as well. But for some reason, I don't have the urge to pick this up. I'll probably try to read it at some point anyway, though.
We need to convince Markus, Ashley! This book is pretty good.
YAY!!!!!! All the stars!!!! This book is awesome and I'll be rereading it soon and I'm so glad you liked it!
Athena (Shardbearer) wrote: "YAY!!!!!! All the stars!!!! This book is awesome and I'll be rereading it soon and I'm so glad you liked it!"I'm dying for the movie to come out. Like srsly.
Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "Athena (Shardbearer) wrote: "YAY!!!!!! All the stars!!!! This book is awesome and I'll be rereading it soon and I'm so glad you liked it!"I'm dying for the movie to come out. Like srsly."
OH, I KNOW!!!!! I received the ARC of this book and loved it and then I heard that a movie was being mad and almost died..and now its coming out in October and I'm so freaking excited!!!! Have you seen any of the trailers? I think now that you've finished the book you should check them out. Brings that little relief in between book and when the movie comes out.
*madeI'm so excited I can't spell today!!! Well, to be honest, I can't spell anytime of the day excited or not. lol
Yes yes yes yes!! I think I've watched the first official teaser thing like four times already lol. And reblogged a load of stuff on tumblr. I need to watch more when I get home :D
Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: "Yes yes yes yes!! I think I've watched the first official teaser thing like four times already lol. And reblogged a load of stuff on tumblr. I need to watch more when I get home :D"Lol, same here. I went on the Martian movie website and you can see tons of other stuff.
I'm not really an audiobook fan, but I think you may have just converted me! Awesome review, Ashley! :)
Awesome review Ashley! I'm going to the library today to check this audio out. Thank you.Diamond
Diamond wrote: "Awesome review Ashley! I'm going to the library today to check this audio out. Thank you.Diamond"
Aw cool, I hope you like it! :)
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