This is the most masculine book ever! It has data, math, engineering, potatoes, problem-solving, and almost zero explicit emotional content. It is about a man who is stuck alone on Mars who never cries or gets depressed or laments about missing his family or friends back on Earth. He just works and solves problems with his superior intellect and indomitable spirit.

The Martian is about the most unflappable man ever, Mark Watney. When his mission to Mars gets attacked by a sand storm and he gets skewered in the gut and his team leaves him for dead Mark doesn’t give up. Instead, he uses his botany and engineering knowledge, which is perfectly convenient, to grow food using his feces, to create water from fuel, and to do a million other scientifically complicated things. He never loses hope and maintains a sense of humor throughout which makes the whole experience light-hearted and fun instead of melodramatic and depressing. Mark uses his childlike creativity to enthusiastically move forward solving potentially fatal problems that would destroy weaker mortals.

Andy Weir is a very unique writer who is somehow capable of taking technically complex scientific concepts and making them palatable to a less technical audience. He can craft a narrative that contains math, chemistry, botany, physics, and other “boring” topics and make them surprisingly compelling. Watching as the main character is nearly killed by the harsh environment of Mars is suspenseful and exciting. I was skeptical that I would like this book because I loved Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary so much that I thought I would be disappointed by comparison, and I saw the trailer for the movie and couldn’t imagine enjoying a book about a lone dude making potatoes on Mars but I enjoyed The Martian entirely. Andy Weir is a master of pacing, organization, and balancing technical information with engaging narrative.

READ THIS BOOK!

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P.S.

I have not seen the movie but I plan on watching it with the expectation of being disappointed.

Please check out my reviews of Andy Weir’s other books below.

Book Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-project-hail-mary-by-andy-weir

Book Review: Artemis by Andy Weir

https://joesnotesblog.com/blog/book-review-artemis-by-andy-weir