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.
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.
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