The Martian - Book review

For my book this week I chose The Martian by Andy Weir.

Although the choice for this book was made by me, technically it was actually made by my girlfriend who gave me this fantastic novel for my birthday.

Due to the film version coming out this week, I wanted to make sure that for once I had read the novel before viewing the film. Obviously this is a glorious notion, but few of us manage to ever achieve this because we either did not know it was a book in the first place or we struggle to cram the reading in before the film is out.

This time I prevailed!

It most certainly was not a difficult task in terms of reading the book before the film, in fact it took me less than 2 days to devour this fantastic piece of sci-fi.

Fortunately work was quiet and so I could get away with doing nothing but reading my little heart out and so I did.

The novel has a fantastic opening - 'I'm pretty much fucked. That's my considered opinion. Fucked. Six days into what should have been the greatest two months of my life, and it's turned into a nightmare.'

Instantly causing us to wonder what occurred to leave out protagonist so out of luck,
and in this case it is of course reality.

Essentially the premise is our lead character – is trapped on the martian planet Mars after being injured and separated from his crew. Little do they know that he has actually survived and is now fending for himself with all the odds pitted against him.

The reality of the situation is managed marvellously; the sci-fi that plays out before us believable because unlike most sci-fi it is not set so far ahead in the future that technology has progressed past our current means, but only a few decades past what we know now. It's terrifyingly relatable.

Obviously being relatable is hard to achieve as a notion in sci-fi, a genre littered with characters who are so obscure or advanced that we can barely comprehend them wholly. But, The Martian handles this problem magnificently, giving us not only a human character but the type of character who we all wish we could be. Resourceful, funny and horrendously intelligent. He's an every man, but he's far from like anyone you know personally.

By becoming trapped on Mars with technology only slightly better than our own, our character has to flex his intellectual muscle throughout the book, allowing us insights into not only the harsh realities of the situations being trapped on Mars would cause, but also to how much Andy Weir has managed to cram into his own mind prior to writing this novel.

Without a doubt Weir has researched thoroughly into many of the concepts in the book, a degree in chemistry and astro-physics would hardly be surprising at this point. Because of this knowledge, or possibly advisement from others, a complex but understandable narrative is provided from our protagonist.

I would be fibbing if I said that I could comprehend every scientific utterance, but understanding the science as a reader is almost secondary despite how much work has gone into it.

But the understanding of the science is only secondary due to the plot being so relentless that we want to know what happens next, our minds searching for the next words rather than slowing ourselves down by trying to visualise complex arrangements of valves on airlocks.

This ferocious pace is hardly lacking in any section of the book. Whether it is what is occurring on Mars or back on Earth at NASA, the characters are foremost human and therefore the clashing of ideals is ever present. This keeps the blood pressure high and the stakes even higher. Nothing is ever easy when performing a rescue operation from millions of miles away.

By understanding human qualities, their psychology as well as complex science, Weir has created what every writer wishes they could – a book with style and intellect, and which fits into their genre without trying feebly to transcend it.

However, I will say that the positivity of our lead is almost nauseating in some sections, but this is for two reasons: 1. Astronauts are exactly that, positive, resourceful and horrendously intelligent – it's why they would have picked him, and 2. I feel like this book was intended to eventually be made into a film.

Even if it wasn't intended to be made into a film, it will hopefully be word for word the same when I view it on the silver screen, because it flows so well that any screen-writer would have their work cut out for them if trying to re-write it.

So, if you want a fast paced read with a loveable lead character, peril after every step, with seemingly no hope, this then is the book for you – sci-fi fan or not. In fact, if you're not a sci-fi fan, read it, because I guarantee it will convert you.

I can also guarantee we'll have a lot more kids interested in becoming botanist after the film is released.

Happy reading. 

The Holiday

After E and I had scrubbed away and cleaned the entire kitchen at our friend's wedding venue we jumped back into the car and headed for her parents' house. Once we sorted out the direction we were going we left sharpish for the 4 hour drive that awaited us.

The drive itself was actually quite pleasant, the weather was stunning, sunny and warm but not so boiling that we were being roasted in the car.

Once we eventually found the cottage it was a bit later in the day so all that was left was some exploration of the cottage itself and to head to the local town to get some dinner.

The local town Howden was quaint, but because we were so hungry we decided to leave any exploration until Saturday and jumped back into the car after a visit to the Co-op.

After waiting what felt like a decade for the gas oven to heat itself up we put out food on whilst I started a fire. I don't think there's many better feelings than sitting in front of a fire and just pondering. Nothing beats a toasty thought process.

Environmentally friendly buildings are few and far between sadly, no human product is ever 100% 'environmentally friendly', but as far as houses go, the straw bale cottage was near as damn it. We assumed that the furniture was reclaimed wood, second hand and so on, whilst the walls were actually insulated in a very old school manner, the hay that lined the walls actually visible thanks to a little window into the wall cavities.

But as intriguing as the house itself was, sleep was calling us and so we went on our merry way upstairs after some wine because the next day we were hitting my favourite city – York.

So, after a solid nights sleep, coffee was brought to me in bed be E, which was awesome, and then we prepared for a long day.

Fortunately we didn't have to look too hard for things to do over the weekend as York was hosting both an antique book fair and cider festival within a 10 minute walk of each other. What a win.

However we wandered around the city beforehand, taking in the wonderful architecture of the cathedral, (which admittedly I'd never been two on my two previous occasions visiting), and the wonderful Minster Gate book shop.

This place was amazing; 6 stories of books, old and new, ranging from the hundreds of pounds to just a few the one I assume subsidising the other. Because the modern books were cheap I decided to have a look and see if anything would tickle my fancy and something certainly did. I found a copy of Cormack McCarthy's No Country for Old Men, a novel I'd always wanted to read based on my appreciation for The Road and also hearing that the film adaptation is meant to be stunning. It set me back a whole £4, which is great for a modern book in my opinion.

E of course bought a few books, (there's no entering a book shop with her without leaving with several things).

We then had a further wander, I showed E one of my favourite music shops and then went for some more coffee to help keep ourselves perky. A slice of cake may have been consumed in the process.

We knew that the book festival hadn't started quite yet and so we went for another wander along the city walls. The clarity that the weather allowed meant that we could see as far as the buildings would allow without blocking our line of sight. It really is a pretty city, retaining the archaic aesthetic whilst being quite clearly modern in its own right. I love it there.

So after our brief walk we then headed to where the free shuttle would take us to the two festivals. A few minutes of waiting, amongst older individuals who had grown douchey in their years, and we were on the shuttle for the short ten minute journey to the Racing track, where many events are hosted such as the York Tattoo convention.

After waiting a further ten minutes behind more oldies, who couldn't comprehend leaving their bags in the mandatory cloak room, we were in and awestruck with some of the editions that we found. Admittedly, we couldn't afford to buy such editions, or rather what would the point be?

Seeing the types of people selling and buying the books slightly angered me. Once you realised that the customers weren't buying the books for the enjoyment of owning an original piece of history because it had some profound effect on their place in the universe, or some relevance to their thoughts and feelings, or even some sort of deeper connection with the writer, it took away what makes literature so wonderful. Instead the books will probably sit in their relevant bookshops and become collectors pieces that were worth a lot of money, but not much else. A sad day for literature indeed.

Although it was a good experience, I don't think if I had all the money in the world I would have dealt with 90% of the snobs who were there, because that's what they were, snobs who looked down their nose at us because we were young, having no background to us or what we could have possibly been worth. It was honestly disgusting to think some of the best minds in existence in terms of literature were now being sold by people who didn't even seem interested in the books, even willing to talk about them let alone friendly.

Never mind.

After a bit of a let down, Ellie did find a few gems that were priced well and still relatively unique and so she snapped them up.

Once we battled our way through another gruelling incident with the cloak room to get our stuff back, we set off on foot to the beer and ale, (and cider), festival.

A short wander brought us to the entrance of the rather smelly interior, but the weather was still gorgeous and so went got our first half pints and snagged a seat outside.

This was a far more intellectual festival.

After several halves, a few thirds and a winning tombola effort, it was time to stagger back into town for something to eat. This time we opted for the walk rather than bus and given that the weather was pretty still spectacular it was a good shout.

Because E has never been to Jamie's we decided to eat there. Sadly the service was shoddy, the food mediocre and the time wasted pretty annoying. We waited the best part of an hour for our food, the chefs shouting for service frequently but going unheeded for long periods of time. Frankly I'm glad that tip wasn't included because I wasn't prepared to pay for it.

Sorry world, but tipping is bullshit. Pay your staff fairly.

But it wasn't so bad, we headed home for some more wine, more fire and also a re-watch of Lord of The Rings, which neither E or I had seen in years. What a fantastic film.

Saturday was our day reserved for not doing much at all, and so we did as little as possible.

However, we're an active couple so it didn't last long at all.

After a brisk 3 mile walk into town, and a few blisters later, we sat down for some lunch in a pub that was recommended by a local as the second venue we were looking at was for 'Hobos and drunkards'.

It was a close shave, but of you can't trust a doddery old guy wearing a sailors hat, who can you trust?

The food was great, the staff were lovely and the service was excellent. Bloody Jamie's...

After we had attached plasters and grabbed dinner, we took another brisk walk home. The afternoon was lovely, spent reading and being the host to one of the rare occasions that I napped during the day. An hour was spent comatose on the sofa after reading some more of The Purple Cloud, which was followed by more food and Shrek 2, just because it's a great film and we were having our welcome lazy day.

Sadly, this was our last night on our short weekend break and we high tailed it back home early on Sunday reaching my homestead quickly to drop stuff off but then hitting traffic on the A406 which brought our trip to 7 hours in the car one we finally reached E's. Another hour and a half back out of London via train and car and I was home. A long week came to an even longer close, but what a week.

Patrick the farm cat, who rarely left our doorstep 

The Wedding!

This week has been a busy one with the marriage of my two friends Zoey and Dan along with mine and E's first holiday. 

So after a long boring day at work on Monday all pistons were pumping to get down to London. Although the journey wasn't exactly straightforward - a train ride carrying all my weeks things - it went quite quickly. 

I was soon in South East London and killing a bit of time before we ventured to Jermyn Street to pick up the food for the wedding at Wilton's. 

Now parking a car covered, and I mean covered, in bird crap outside a pricey restaurant isn't always the best way to create a mouthwatering experience for the clientele it was definitely the way we picked up the food from Wilton's where Olivia, E's sister works. Once we had our supplies we were off for the three and a half hour drive to Taunton. 

Fast forward slightly to 3am and we're finally getting into bed after a long day for all of us. We slept like logs on Vicodin. 

Fast forward again ever so slightly and we're now moving ever Southward to the wedding venue which was beautiful. 

The Oak Barn had serious charm, serious space and seriously hard working guests. We began our day feeling a tad useless as Liv set her ovens to stun and began the catering frenzy whilst E and I helped as much as we could. 

The day itself was long and the food looked amazing, the cake especially looked brilliant, the fact that it was sprung on Liv at the end of the day is unnoticeable. Plus the fact I learned that a cake can in fact be naked without being a huge edible rack which is nice. 

The wedding itself was exactly the type of wedding becoming more common and I couldn't be more glad. The service was all of 15 minutes and very personal, none of the flashiness or gaudiness that people have come to expect from modern weddings was present. 

After was the Pimm's, pics and spectacular afternoon tea, (which I even helped make). 

The Naked Cake!

Sandwiches and sweets galore made the tea even better and visually pleasing to say the least. After this was the hog roast, which in my opinion is one of two ways a pig should be eaten. 

After sufficiently stuffing my face it was time to show the South how to get their groove on, accompanied by alcohol galore. However I'm please to say that two people told my other half that I was a good dancer. So take that world. Michael Reynolds can dance and is most certainly not afraid to use it. 

After hours of dancing and eating we retreated after a brief clean up in preparation for our long drive Northward the next day. 

At the early hour of 8:30 we roused and began to clean our hearts out. I may have possibly stuffed my face with sweets as I went, but I was working hard - I needed the sugar. 

Finished by 10 we got what food we could carry in the car along with all of our stuff and we made out way back to Taunton and then Northward...

The Chef and I

If you need any catering done for an event, consider the one and only Olivia Baggley - winner of the Craft Guild of Chefs award, details below. 

I'll be back tomorrow with a post all about our first holiday! 

A book a week

So earlier in the week I posted about how I intend on reading a book a week and I've stayed true. The post itself was a little behind my timeline however and I've consumed several books since actually beginning this idea 3 weeks ago.

The brilliant thing about my current choice of job is that I can pretty much sit reading all day, (even though I'm not supposed to).

So, here's what read last week and what I intend on finishing this week:

Firstly I read Fight Club. This was a strange experience as I mistakenly didn't do my research years ago and watched the film first. Although my viewing of the film was several years ago, it was still relatively fresh in my memory and this can make a read so much faster.

I ate through the book and found myself so inspired by its style, (plus a flawed character is always appreciated), that I sat down and wrote for the first time in months outside of articles. It was compelling.

Chuck Palahniuk is one of the most appreciated writers of recent years and this novel shows us why. Although I've never read any of his other works, like for others I feel like he could become one of my favourites.

Delve into the mind of Tyler Durden and experience the world through his perspective as he starts his journey in the most unlikely of ways: by punching his only real friend, after a session of heavy drinking, in the face.

Down and Out In Paris and London by the one and only George Orwell was my second read this week. After falling in love with 1984, I decided that I had to read more of my main man, (although I didn't finish Animal Farm... oops).

This novella takes the reader on a strange journey through Orwell's experiences living in, you guessed it, Paris and London but not as the successful man that we come to think of him as. As the title suggests, Orwell isn't in the best spot when the story begins, essentially living in a slum in Paris.

We follow my favourite author as he shows us how existence is when living on the bread line, the term itself taking an almost literal form once we learn of the endless 'tea and two slices' that he subsists of throughout his journey in London. It's not for the reader looking for a jolly story.

Although this was his first work, it illustrates an image of Orwell himself. Its non-fictional prose simply following his journey is however rather articulate in places, his awareness of his situation as an educated man interesting to say the least. It's honestly one of the most intriguing reads I've ever had the pleasure of reading.

Definitely give this a go if you appreciate the autobiographical elements of reading whilst retaining elements of the far-fetched and possibly fabricated.

Because I managed to read two books this week I've had a lazy third week and so I decided to treat myself to a re-read of The Purple Cloud by M.P. Shiel. This novel is weird fiction at its best.

This book came to my attention when writing my dissertation, thanks to my tutor, and has been one of my favourite books since.

Although 1984 replaced its top positioning on my favourite books list, The Purple Cloud is the ultimate book for suspension of reality, especially for myself, using religion and the apocalypse as the two driving forces for the story.

I won't write about this novel quite yet, as I still haven't finished it for the second time and it has been a long time since I last read it. Sadly I read this novel in sections and it seems I'm repeating the same process, but luckily it should be a little bit more fluid as I already know its storyline and still have a week to finish it. Go me.

If you read any of the above novels based on reading this, then let me know!

Happy reading.

A book a week.

A book a week. As a typical English student, I stopped reading after finishing my degree. What a moron.

Although there was no conscious effort to do so, I found myself in a bit of a rut. ‘But I read every day’, I would tell myself, and it was true. It is true. However, there’s a difference between reading articles, (or what the twenty-first century is passing off as articles), and sitting down and focussing on a novel.

So, I’ve set myself the task of reading at least one book a week from now on. So far, I’m hoping that I’ll remain on track as long as I avoid any monsters at the beginning of my challenge.

Although a book a week probably seems more pitiful to the avid readers out there, it’s a big deal for me as so much of my time is dedicated to other more instant forms of entertainment and escapism. For instance, sitting down and playing guitar are always a great way for me to pass time, write, and become frustrated at how inconsistent I am with that as well.

The wonders of being silly with hobbies.

But back to books.

I just finished The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. It was what inspired me to start reading more regularly again, that and E. But don’t get too excited, the book wasn’t the most mind-blowing experience of my literary life. It was a great read for some reasons and harrowing for many, but a little stale in places and a little offensive. When I say offensive I don’t mean the content, I mean the epilogue. It’s cleverly done, it’s almost pleasant to see what the writer can say about their own work, but I feel it’s the reason many colleges and sixth forms use it as a book of study. That, and the feminism simply drips off of the pages.

But, as of Sunday night I started reading Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk. Although I’d always prefer to read the book before the film, I saw the film many years ago unaware that it was a book, so this gives it strange dimension, the awareness that I have of the plot allows me to read it with a different skew, which is surprisingly pleasant as it’s one of those book that you could finish and immediately pick up and start again purely because of the fantastic and famous plot twist.

So, the above is my plan. A book a week from now on. Let’s begin…