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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed reading The Martian. It kept me on the edge of my seat. The humor was really good and I kept thinking that out of all of his crew he was probably the best one to get left behind because of his background in engineering and botany. Awesome book
I listened to the audiobook version, and I liked the audiobook. I tend to prefer physically reading, but I still enjoyed this book. I really liked the main character, and I liked the structure of the story (log entries). It was a bit technical, and I wish there was a bit more description, but overall it was a pretty solid book.
I am not a scientist. I am not an engineer. Why I am I reading this book?
These questions kept repeating in my brain while I read The Martian. The answers are more complicated.
Secretly, I want to be a scientist. I pretend to know lots about plants and biodiversity and big words like...biodiversity. I want to understand all the science-y stuff Mark works through his brain to save himself once he discovers that he has been left behind on Mars. I will admit some of those parts I "skimmed" somewhat heavily.
Still, even non-science-y people should read this book (skimming acceptable), because more than a scientist or astronaut or biologist, Mark is a pioneer. How can I use these (somewhat) random objects to keep myself alive? Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without. That is admirable.
Also, I wanted to read it before the movie came out.
These questions kept repeating in my brain while I read The Martian. The answers are more complicated.
Secretly, I want to be a scientist. I pretend to know lots about plants and biodiversity and big words like...biodiversity. I want to understand all the science-y stuff Mark works through his brain to save himself once he discovers that he has been left behind on Mars. I will admit some of those parts I "skimmed" somewhat heavily.
Still, even non-science-y people should read this book (skimming acceptable), because more than a scientist or astronaut or biologist, Mark is a pioneer. How can I use these (somewhat) random objects to keep myself alive? Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without. That is admirable.
Also, I wanted to read it before the movie came out.
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What’s intriguing is that Mark doesn’t carry the typical baggage of a tortured hero. No dark past, no tragic childhood. The book dives into the nitty-gritty of survival on Mars—the science, the math, the engineering. You’ll learn about growing potatoes in Martian soil, jury-rigging life support systems, and calculating oxygen levels. It’s like a crash course in space survival. Honestly, I chose this book because it’s set on Mars. The idea of relying on sheer brainpower hooked me from the start. At the end of the book -Mars becomes a character in itself—a harsh, unforgiving companion to Mark’s struggle for survival.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The science jargon made it much more realistic and also less engaging 🤷♀️