Yun's Reviews > The Martian
The Martian
by
by
A celebration of scientific ingenuity and man's unfailing spirit to survive, The Martian left me astounded and exhilarated. It made me laugh, think, and hope, and along the way, it captured my imagination and my heart.
Due to a freak accident, astronaut Mark Watney is in a bit of a jam. His crewmates have blasted off from Mars and left him behind, thinking he is dead. Now he has no way to contact anyone and his supplies are fast dwindling. To survive, he must reach into the depths of his scientific knowledge and creativity and good humor, and put all that to good use if he is to make it off the planet alive.
I'm like the very last person to read this book, and I honestly have no idea why I waited so long. Maybe I thought since I've seen the movie already (like a dozen times!), that I wouldn't be surprised by the book. Or maybe I was afraid it wouldn't live up to my sky-high expectations. But I'm so glad I finally stopped procrastinating and read it. Because this story could not be more made for me if it tried.
Right from the first page, it was utterly riveting and unputdownable. It felt so real that it seemed like I was actually reading the mission logs of an astronaut. I kept forgetting that we hadn't really sent a man to Mars yet and that this is just a story.
The science in here is a large part of what made it feel so authentic and fascinating. It's based on real science, not the handwavy stuff that a lot of sci-fi books resort to. But you don't have to understand every single thing in order to follow and enjoy the story. In fact, there were a few times I just move on when I wasn't 100% clear on a technical detail, and it didn't take anything away. It helped that I had watched the movie before reading the book, so it was much easier to visualize what was going on.
Usually when you think of disaster stories and fights for survival, it ends up being a dark and brooding read. But that's not this book at all. I loved its optimism and humor and charm. It was lighthearted and fun even though it was tackling some serious problems. It not only showcased what one person's perseverance can accomplish, but also what the world can do if it came together. It made me feel happy and inspired to immerse myself in this imaginary and cooperative world, if only for a few hours.
This story isn't perfect. You can tell it's Weir's first book, and so it does have a few quirks. At times, the humor is a bit too potty-mouthed and the technical and scientific information can be a bit too enthusiastically detailed. But I found the overall story so amazing that these small flaws are easily overlooked.
This is my favorite type of book. I love reading about space exploration and science, courage and hard work, and overcoming great odds to achieve the impossible, all with a sense of humor. Its message of resilience and optimism through the hardest of times pays homage to the best in humanity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
Project Hail Mary
~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was a pick for my Book of the Month box. Get your first book for $5 here.
Due to a freak accident, astronaut Mark Watney is in a bit of a jam. His crewmates have blasted off from Mars and left him behind, thinking he is dead. Now he has no way to contact anyone and his supplies are fast dwindling. To survive, he must reach into the depths of his scientific knowledge and creativity and good humor, and put all that to good use if he is to make it off the planet alive.
I'm like the very last person to read this book, and I honestly have no idea why I waited so long. Maybe I thought since I've seen the movie already (like a dozen times!), that I wouldn't be surprised by the book. Or maybe I was afraid it wouldn't live up to my sky-high expectations. But I'm so glad I finally stopped procrastinating and read it. Because this story could not be more made for me if it tried.
Right from the first page, it was utterly riveting and unputdownable. It felt so real that it seemed like I was actually reading the mission logs of an astronaut. I kept forgetting that we hadn't really sent a man to Mars yet and that this is just a story.
The science in here is a large part of what made it feel so authentic and fascinating. It's based on real science, not the handwavy stuff that a lot of sci-fi books resort to. But you don't have to understand every single thing in order to follow and enjoy the story. In fact, there were a few times I just move on when I wasn't 100% clear on a technical detail, and it didn't take anything away. It helped that I had watched the movie before reading the book, so it was much easier to visualize what was going on.
Usually when you think of disaster stories and fights for survival, it ends up being a dark and brooding read. But that's not this book at all. I loved its optimism and humor and charm. It was lighthearted and fun even though it was tackling some serious problems. It not only showcased what one person's perseverance can accomplish, but also what the world can do if it came together. It made me feel happy and inspired to immerse myself in this imaginary and cooperative world, if only for a few hours.
This story isn't perfect. You can tell it's Weir's first book, and so it does have a few quirks. At times, the humor is a bit too potty-mouthed and the technical and scientific information can be a bit too enthusiastically detailed. But I found the overall story so amazing that these small flaws are easily overlooked.
This is my favorite type of book. I love reading about space exploration and science, courage and hard work, and overcoming great odds to achieve the impossible, all with a sense of humor. Its message of resilience and optimism through the hardest of times pays homage to the best in humanity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
Project Hail Mary
~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was a pick for my Book of the Month box. Get your first book for $5 here.
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Reading Progress
August 28, 2021
–
Started Reading
August 28, 2021
– Shelved
September 1, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 203 (203 new)
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Anne
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Aug 28, 2021 08:57PM
I have this one coming up...watched the film recently and loved it! Hope you like this as much as you did Project Hail Mary. 💛
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Anne wrote: "I have this one coming up...watched the film recently and loved it! Hope you like this as much as you did Project Hail Mary. 💛"
Thanks, Anne! I've been a bit hesitant to read this because I've watched the movie like a dozen times, so I'm already super familiar with the story. But so far, I'm loving it! 💖
Thanks, Anne! I've been a bit hesitant to read this because I've watched the movie like a dozen times, so I'm already super familiar with the story. But so far, I'm loving it! 💖
Jen wrote: "OMG I had no idea you hadn't read this. I truly hope you love it."
Haha I can't believe it either, Jen. This book is so me and I've watched the movie like a dozen times. But after reading and LOVING Project Hail Mary, I figured the time for this has finally come! :)
Haha I can't believe it either, Jen. This book is so me and I've watched the movie like a dozen times. But after reading and LOVING Project Hail Mary, I figured the time for this has finally come! :)
This is a very beloved and popular book. I hope you will love it too, Yun. Unfortunately, it did not work for me. I wanted to read this one before getting Project Hail Mary, but when this didn't work for me I was told not to read that one because of the similarities in the stories. Some prefer this over PHM and others prefer PHM over The Martian. But since you loved PHM a lot I guess you will love this one too.
Constantine wrote: "This is a very beloved and popular book. I hope you will love it too, Yun. Unfortunately, it did not work for me. I wanted to read this one before getting Project Hail Mary, but when this didn't wo..."
Thanks, Constantine! Sorry this one didn't work for you! I'm not too far in yet, but so far, it's very similar to the movie (in tone, style, plot), and I loved the movie, so I'm hoping this will be a win for me. I'm definitely hoping that I will love it just as much as PHM.
Thanks, Constantine! Sorry this one didn't work for you! I'm not too far in yet, but so far, it's very similar to the movie (in tone, style, plot), and I loved the movie, so I'm hoping this will be a win for me. I'm definitely hoping that I will love it just as much as PHM.
¸¸.•*¨*•♫ Mrs. Buttercup wrote: "One of my favourites <3 enjoy! :)))"
Thanks, Mrs. Buttercup! It's really good so far! :)
Thanks, Mrs. Buttercup! It's really good so far! :)
Jillian ❀‿❀ wrote: "I loved the humor & charm too, Yun! You would probably like his latest (Project Hail Mary) if you haven't read it. It made me laugh out loud. :-)"
Jillian ❀‿❀ wrote: "OH! I see you read Project Hail Mary a few months ago! YAY! :-)"
Thanks, Jillian! Yes, I read PHM first, and absolutely LOVED it! I thought it was the most incredible book ever, so I wanted to go back and read The Martian! :)
Jillian ❀‿❀ wrote: "OH! I see you read Project Hail Mary a few months ago! YAY! :-)"
Thanks, Jillian! Yes, I read PHM first, and absolutely LOVED it! I thought it was the most incredible book ever, so I wanted to go back and read The Martian! :)
Jillian ❀‿❀ wrote: "That's so awesome! Which do you prefer, in the end? They're both so good!"
PHM is just epic! It's more audacious, more creative... it completely blew my mind! It's probably in my all-time top 5 books! So I'm definitely biased towards that one. What about you? :)
PHM is just epic! It's more audacious, more creative... it completely blew my mind! It's probably in my all-time top 5 books! So I'm definitely biased towards that one. What about you? :)
Jen wrote: "I just knew you'd love this! Wonderful review as always Yun."
Thanks a bunch, Jen! This really was a book made for me! :)
Thanks a bunch, Jen! This really was a book made for me! :)
Maureen wrote: "Stellar review Yun, loved this one too ♥️"
Thanks, Maureen! Glad we both loved this one! 💖
Thanks, Maureen! Glad we both loved this one! 💖
Excellent review! I haven't read it either, my husband read so much of it out loud to me when he was reading it I kind of feel like I have, ha ha.
Fantastic review, Yun! Glad this was a winner for you! It sounds fascinating. I haven't read it or seen the movie. GASP! 🤣
Jillian ❀‿❀ wrote: "Oh, it is so hard to choose! But I'm going to go with The Martian because I was SOOOO into it. I could NOT stop reading, & kept looking up at the sky to find Mars and ..."
That's awesome that you found this unputdownable! I totally agree. It was a book where I just wanted to keep turning the pages! Haha, PHM had so many cute moments! And Rocky! 💖
That's awesome that you found this unputdownable! I totally agree. It was a book where I just wanted to keep turning the pages! Haha, PHM had so many cute moments! And Rocky! 💖
Tina wrote: "I keep hearing how wonderful this book is. A very compelling review Yun!"
Thanks, Tina! I did too going in, and it totally lived up to the hype for me! :)
Thanks, Tina! I did too going in, and it totally lived up to the hype for me! :)
Melissa (LifeFullyBooked) wrote: "Excellent review! I haven't read it either, my husband read so much of it out loud to me when he was reading it I kind of feel like I have, ha ha."
Haha that is so awesome, Melissa! I'm just waiting on my hubby to read this and then I can talk to him about it! :)
Haha that is so awesome, Melissa! I'm just waiting on my hubby to read this and then I can talk to him about it! :)
Ashley wrote: "So glad to hear you enjoyed it! It's so brilliant. Huge love for this book!"
Thanks, Ashley! So happy to see that we both loved this book! :)
Thanks, Ashley! So happy to see that we both loved this book! :)
I never thought about it: optimism, humor and charm. Yes, few disaster stories involve those themes. Great review Yun!
Michael wrote: "Fantastic review, Yun! Glad this was a winner for you! It sounds fascinating. I haven't read it or seen the movie. GASP! 🤣"
Thanks, Michael! GASP indeed, especially about the movie! I'm a huge space movie buff, so I've seen all the space movies (Apollo 13, Independence Day, The Martian, Armageddon) dozens of times lol! 😅
Thanks, Michael! GASP indeed, especially about the movie! I'm a huge space movie buff, so I've seen all the space movies (Apollo 13, Independence Day, The Martian, Armageddon) dozens of times lol! 😅
Barbara wrote: "I never thought about it: optimism, humor and charm. Yes, few disaster stories involve those themes. Great review Yun!"
Thanks, Barbara! It's a rare breed of disaster books where I feel happy while I'm reading it lol! :)
Thanks, Barbara! It's a rare breed of disaster books where I feel happy while I'm reading it lol! :)
Awesome review, Yun! 👍 Thrilled it held up to expectations, so that makes me more anxious to read it. Good to know if offers a sense of inspiration and optimism; that’s what I took away from PHM. It is so satisfying to read a stellar story and end feeling hopeful. 🤗
I haven't ever considered reading this, I just don't think it will be my cup of tea, I relish books with huge casts but struggle with books with a small casts or a sole character, thanks to your review, I might, just might consider reading this now though, as I do love realistic futurism... thank you!
Terrific review, Yun!! I’ve always refrained from reading this too because I’ve already watched the movie… but your review has me rethinking. Thanks for adding to my tbr 😂
Luna wrote: "awesome review Yun. I loved the movie and will get round to this one for sure!"
Thanks, Luna! I hope you love the book too when you get to it! :)
Thanks, Luna! I hope you love the book too when you get to it! :)
Pauline wrote: "I'm so happy you love this! I have a feeling it's going to be one of favourites too!"
Thanks, Pauline! I hope so too when you get to this! :)
Thanks, Pauline! I hope so too when you get to this! :)
Beata wrote: "Terrific review, Yun! :)) Glad to see you enjoyed it so much as the book is on my list :)"
Thanks, Beata! It was such a fun read! I hope you think so too when you get to it! Will be eager to see your thoughts! :)
Thanks, Beata! It was such a fun read! I hope you think so too when you get to it! Will be eager to see your thoughts! :)
Anne wrote: "Awesome review, Yun! 👍 Thrilled it held up to expectations, so that makes me more anxious to read it. Good to know if offers a sense of inspiration and optimism; that’s what I took away from PHM. I..."
Thanks so much, Anne! It's so rare to read a disaster story and to feel happy while reading it lol! When you get to this, I hope you enjoy it too! Will be most curious to see your thoughts! 🤗
Thanks so much, Anne! It's so rare to read a disaster story and to feel happy while reading it lol! When you get to this, I hope you enjoy it too! Will be most curious to see your thoughts! 🤗
Baba wrote: "I haven't ever considered reading this, I just don't think it will be my cup of tea, I relish books with huge casts but struggle with books with a small casts or a sole character, thanks to your re..."
Thanks so much, Baba! Now that I think about it, I'm not sure I enjoy books with a small cast either, as a general rule. But there is so much going on in this book, and the MC does work together with mission control, so he isn't off by himself through the whole story. If you do decide to give this a try, I hope you have a lot of fun with it! I'll be eager to see your thoughts! :)
Thanks so much, Baba! Now that I think about it, I'm not sure I enjoy books with a small cast either, as a general rule. But there is so much going on in this book, and the MC does work together with mission control, so he isn't off by himself through the whole story. If you do decide to give this a try, I hope you have a lot of fun with it! I'll be eager to see your thoughts! :)
Jasmine wrote: "Terrific review, Yun!! I’ve always refrained from reading this too because I’ve already watched the movie… but your review has me rethinking. Thanks for adding to my tbr 😂"
Thanks, Jasmine! Ha, I try to be "helpful" when I can lol! 😅 But actually, I think seeing the movie helps with understanding some of the technical stuff in here, so it actually adds to the experience rather than hinders, IMHO!
Thanks, Jasmine! Ha, I try to be "helpful" when I can lol! 😅 But actually, I think seeing the movie helps with understanding some of the technical stuff in here, so it actually adds to the experience rather than hinders, IMHO!
We were just talking about this today at work! I just found a copy in a Little Free Library and can't wait to get to it soon!
Holly wrote: "A great review Yun! This one is also a movie!"
Thanks, Holly! I loved the movie and have seen it way too many times lol! :)
Thanks, Holly! I loved the movie and have seen it way too many times lol! :)
Lilli wrote: "We were just talking about this today at work! I just found a copy in a Little Free Library and can't wait to get to it soon!"
How awesome to find a copy at a Little Free Library! Hope you enjoy when you get to it, Lilli! I'll be curious to see what you think! :)
How awesome to find a copy at a Little Free Library! Hope you enjoy when you get to it, Lilli! I'll be curious to see what you think! :)