Could You Survive On Mars?
A book review of The Martian by Andy Weir
By Sarah Kenny, reviewer
A book review of The Martian by Andy Weir
By Sarah Kenny, reviewer
Andy Weir’s novel The Martian is a gripping adventure that follows astronaut, Mark Watney after he is mistakenly left behind on an aborted Mars mission. Watney emerges as a loveable hero, using persistent humor to help him survive the grueling conditions of Mars. Mark faces many challenges, overcoming each obstacle with ingenious problem-solving skills. With limited resources, he must use his McGuiver like wits to save himself from certain doom. The novel is at times funny, sad, and always extremely captivating.
NASA was heavily consulted to ensure that the science was authentic in the novel. This allows the reader to become fully immersed in the novel without becoming fixated on unrealistic solutions. Mark must find a way to communicate with earth, survive near starvation, and overcome loneliness, isolation, and boredom. He manages to do all this while keeping the reader entertained and laughing. Once NASA figures out that Mark has survived, the novel again pulls the reader into the compelling drama of saving Watney. Andy Weir tells both sides of the story, both from Mars and Earth. He shows the ways that the human race rallied around Watney in order to find a way to bring him home. At this time when we are so divided, I found it refreshing to see the human race unite around a common cause. The novel makes the reader feel hopeful for a future where humans can unite to solve problems unselfishly.
NASA was heavily consulted to ensure that the science was authentic in the novel. This allows the reader to become fully immersed in the novel without becoming fixated on unrealistic solutions. Mark must find a way to communicate with earth, survive near starvation, and overcome loneliness, isolation, and boredom. He manages to do all this while keeping the reader entertained and laughing. Once NASA figures out that Mark has survived, the novel again pulls the reader into the compelling drama of saving Watney. Andy Weir tells both sides of the story, both from Mars and Earth. He shows the ways that the human race rallied around Watney in order to find a way to bring him home. At this time when we are so divided, I found it refreshing to see the human race unite around a common cause. The novel makes the reader feel hopeful for a future where humans can unite to solve problems unselfishly.