This week I decided to read The Martian by Andy Weir. The Martian is a Sci-Fi Opera with a somewhat humorous twist. A A typical freak Martian dust storm suddenly hits astronauts/botanists on a mission while on Mars.
The main character is Mark Whatnev. He gets blown away and stuck in his side with an antenna and left for dead by his fellow crew-mates. His suit is damaged, so no vital signs are detected. Mark realizes his dilemma, alone and stranded, and goes into survival mode. Mark then uses his training in engineering & botany to come up with several ways in order to survive. He grows vegetables such as potatoes out of his own waste and invents water by passing leftover hydrazine, rocket fuel over a catalyst.
He is a truly talented survivalist, making the most out of almost nothing. Setting the example of a Sci-Fi thriller into the Mainstream. What helps this novel be so technical is the author, Andy Weir background in software engineering. Andy very successfully is able to use his own life background into the story and plot of this book in a very functional and believable way. The storytelling in this book does remind me of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. With very real humor cutting the tension of a grim situation. The dialogue undermines what otherwise is a bleak and depressing fight to survive.
The story gets more interesting as we read to find out that the humans realize that Mark Whatnev is still alive, thanks to satellite photos proving that the equipment on Mars surface was being moved around. Its a very compelling end, as throughout all of this, all you want is for this character to survive and make it home and this is the first big moment where you feel his fight has been worth it. I would highly recommend this read to anyone.
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