The Martian by Andy Weir

RATING: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 (5/5 Moons)

Published: September 27, 2012

Publishing: Crown Publishing (Originally self-published on 2011)

Format: audiobook & e-Book

Pages: 387

 

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“… every human being has a basic instinct to help each other out.”

SYNOPSIS:

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first men to walk on the surface of Mars. Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first man to die there.

It started with the dust storm that holed his suit and nearly killed him, and that forced his crew to leave him behind, sure he was already dead. Now he’s stranded millions of miles from the nearest human being, with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive–and even if he could get word out, his food would be gone years before a rescue mission could arrive. Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to get him first.

But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills–and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit–he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. But will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

THOUGHTS:

This is by far one of the most unique story that I have ever read. To be honest, I am hesitant to read this book because of the hype when it came out. And I am the type of reader who does not want to be influenced by the hype. But after reading this book, I can say that I finally understand what the hype is all about.

When I first read the title of this book and the vague synopsis that I can remember, I was thinking of aliens & space; and I don’t think that it is my cup of tea. However, when I started reading this book there are no aliens but I love every bit of it.

The story revolves around Mark Watney, whom people thought died when his crew left him in Mars. But of course, he is alive. And following his journey of survival in Mars, you would think that it would be boring but it is not. Watney is a witty character; his voice and the way he dealt with his situation is inspiring and admirable. He uses his skills and his knowledge to its limit. And the thing that I like the most about this story is I can see how fiction blurred the lines between reality. Watney was portrayed well that he is relatable as a normal person.

Moreover, this book also follows the people on Earth and his crew-mates who first thought that Watney is dead but then discovered the truth soon enough. How they would risk anything and everything just to saved once life gives me hope in humanity and I guess that’s one of the reason why I like this book. Though I know that the story is only fictional, I know that if this will happen in real life, people would also act in the same manner (well I hope).

I really did not want to tell more and I know I can’t tell anything more about the story because reading this book and knowing nothing is something that every reader must experience. I suggest that you listen to the audiobook if you want to read this, because the audiobook is so good.

Also there is a movie – which I watched immediately after I finished reading this book – and it was a good adaptation too. If only they did not change the ending.

Highly recommending it to anyone. No matter what genre you like, you would surely enjoy this.

 

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That’s all for my review! Check out the audiobook and the movie adaptation of this book, I am telling you. You will not regret it.

Till next time!

Maria❤