The Martian

By Andy Weir

I read the back of The Martian more than two years ago, I’ve had a copy on my bookshelf for more than a year and I’ve only now read it. The irony (and the bubble I sometimes live in) is I learned they were making a movie only a week ago! So this works out wonderful!

Let me start by saying that Andy Weir’s debut novel blew my mind, may it rest in peace. For the first time I’m not even sure where to began. Do I keep this review short for fear anything I say would ruin the book? Or do I tell all and if you haven’t read it, you’re just shit out of luck?

What I will say is this. The Martian is smart and discusses some intense sciencey things without making me, and I’m sure every other reader, feel dumb. I’ve read my share of theory books (Physics of The Future being probably my favorite) and I would have still had trouble keeping up if Weir didn’t have such a way with words. Never once does he talk down to the reader or bore you with the details. Instead The Martian was gripping, funny, and full of adventure.  I carried it everywhere I went – just so I could get a few extra pages in during my day. Simply put: I didn’t want to put it down.

If there was one word to describe this book it would be: Inventive.

I really don’t want to spoil it for you. The reality is you could go see it in a few weeks in the theatre, I’ll be there too. You could read a spoiler online and have every nail biting moment laid out for you. But I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to tell you if he lives or dies. I don’t want to tell you how Mark Watney puzzles himself alive through another day on mars. But what I will tell you is that this book was worth every moment. Andy Weir created something special with The Martian. I recommend reading it before the movie comes out. I don’t know if it will live up to the masterpiece in my hands but I sure hope it does.