The Martian by Andy Weir

Hello and welcome to me reviewing the Martian. I think it is important to mention that I have watched the movie 4 times and counting. The movie was incredible, but I heard that the book had some details that made the story richer and I was not about to miss out.

Generally, the book was very good. The characterization was pretty solid, which is impressive considering the book was plot-oriented. Most of the book was based on the main character's journal entries/logs and since the character was easily likeable, the journal entries were not tedious to read through. The one thing I found was disappointing was the racist, sexist, and homophobic undertones that appeared a few times throughout the book. So, with that I shall begin the non-spoiler-free book review:

Just another warning... spoilers ahead.

To start off with it, the book is very fast paced. The book is around 300 pages, and unlike the movie, the main character Mark Watney faces a lot of major and minor issues in the book. The first one I noticed is when Mark sets up the little contraption with hydrazine and he noticed (with static or something) that excess hydrogen was in the air and he had a high chance of blowing up. Although it was not in the book and it wasn't exactly needed for the plot to move on, it went to show the detail that the author put into the book. I think little details like this shows Mark's character: that he is capable of creating dangerous yet clever apparatus but made little (sometimes life-threatening) mistakes along the way. It had also introduced how Mark had planned to distribute what he had in the hab (such as the EVA suits) and I think those little details made the book seem more realistic.

I kind of wished we got more chapters about the NASA team on Earth and the Ares 3 crew just because those chapters really were filled with hilarious conversations and often times someone roasting someone else and I really enjoyed that. Those chapters gave a sense of "we are all in this together" vibes, which I recently found out is something I like in books. One other thing I really like about the book is the pure logic behind ridiculous plans. Most of the book consists of Mark finding a problem, NASA overanalyzing, and either Mark, NASA or the Ares 3 crew coming up with such a ridiculous plan that made me think 'there is literally no way that would work out." But the explanation or the execution, however scientifically accurate it had been (I honestly can't tell that much, I am NOT very smart), made the plot make sense. For example, that one scene where Johansson talks about cannibalism with her dad. (Wow that sounds terrible without context. I also could not stop talking about this with Alexia cause it was so ridiculous). Although the plan sounded insane and in some ways inhumane, the plan made sense logically and I think those moments really reeled me into the story.

Overall (once again), the book was incredible in its detail and plot. I don't really know how to end this blog because it's my first, but anyways. Don't get stabbed by an antenna when in mars.

P.S. I also don't know how to rate the books. I know that Alexia has a very intricate and well-designed system of rating books. Unfortunately, I don't have that. But, like I do most things, I have decided to estimate (more of a guess. About my OWN opinion. Anyways.) and give it a 4/5. I also think books should be rated out of 10 because it would be easier to rate them without the rating going to the second decimal place. Maybe that's just me.

Note from Alexia: this is iconic.