Questions About The Martian

by Andy Weir (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

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Answered Questions (107)

How did the author check all his science and facts about Mars? Does he have a buddy in NASA? Has anyone from JPL or NASA read this that can confirm it's accuracy?

Josh Check out the talk Weir gave at Google here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMfuL....

In it, he mentions that he didn't have any contact with NASA un…moreCheck out the talk Weir gave at Google here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMfuL....

In it, he mentions that he didn't have any contact with NASA until after publication, and that basically everything (math, science, etc.) he checked himself. He shows off a program he wrote to compute the orbital dynamics simulations in the talk. The major inaccuracy (of which there were few!) he pointed out was that the storm which set the whole plot in motion wouldn't actually have done much to push objects around (the atmosphere on Mars is really thin). Apparently he's just a space history/science enthusiast who did all the research into NASA history himself!(less)

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Does this book have sexuality? My early teen, who's in love with outer space, is interested in this book. Would you say this book is appropriate for early teens?

Jebb Not really. One or two mentions. I really doubt it matters though. If you have a young teen that can read, understand, and enjoy this book you better …moreNot really. One or two mentions. I really doubt it matters though. If you have a young teen that can read, understand, and enjoy this book you better believe that they he or she already know pretty much everything there is to know about sex for their age. The only thing you are protecting is your own conscience. Let them read whatever they like, last thing we would want is for them to give up reading because the only crap you will let them read is some children's wind in the willow bullshit. EDIT- Wind In The Willow is a wonderful story and a classic(less)

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Am I the only one who found Mark Watney (and well, the rest of the book too really...) to be rather sexist?

Margaret Mae Absolutely not. People get offended by anything these days.

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Great book, was castaway, meets space, and I loved it! Only downside is, loads of cursing, in an attempt to make the character more real I think... could have done without it. ?

D Deprogrammer The author said he modeled the personality of the protagonist after his own, so I suspect he swears quite a bit. As a former mechanical engineer, I as…moreThe author said he modeled the personality of the protagonist after his own, so I suspect he swears quite a bit. As a former mechanical engineer, I assure you that if I was stuck alone on Mars for a year and a half, assuming I could survive that long, I would've worn out the f-word in the first few months. (less)

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Why does the edition with Matt Damon on the cover cost $2 more?