The Martian

Andy Weir’s debut novel is the most riveting, most compelling, most intense science-fiction thriller I have ever read.

From his very first words, botanist Mark Watney sucks you into his harrowing, horrifying predicament: he is stranded on Mars. The sandstorm that led to his fellow Ares mission members fleeing the planet also destroyed the satellite dish that made communications with Earth possible, and impales Mark with a communications antenna, knocking  out his biometric monitors and leading his crew to believe that he is dead. The problems he has to solve: Can he survive the 1400 days before the next Ares mission arrives? Can he find a way to let NASA know that he is not dead? How can he extend his supplies beyond the 400 days that the supplies left behind by his fellow crew-members will last?

“Mars is a barren wasteland and I am completely alone here.”

Unbeknownst to Watney, an alert analyst notices anomalies in the images beamed back from the now-deserted mission habitat and notifies NASA brass that Watney is alive. And the whole world tunes in as NASA scrambles to manage the PR nightmare and develop a viable rescue plan—a rescue plan that has to be developed, tested, and implemented far faster than any other Mars mission ever attempted.

Following Watney’s struggle to survive and his self-appointed missions to make contact with NASA mission control, and following NASA’s efforts to find a way to rescue him before his food supply runs out makes for a gripping emotional roller-coaster of a read.

Weir is skilled at using minute details to build brilliant, engaging characters. Watney’s biting sarcasm combines with his scientific insight easy self-deprecation, and a healthy sense of humour to create a dynamic and likeable protagonist. The NASA personnel—Kapoor, Park, and Montrose (among others)—are equally well developed.  Mark’s crewmates—Lewis,  Johanssen, Vogel, Beck, and Martinez—are detailed  enough that the reader can feel their horror and distress during their brief appearances throughout the story.

I’m no scientist, but  all of the scientific detail seems plausible and realistic to me. Weir certainly details the scientific procedures and thought processes surrounding  both Watney’s and NASA’s plans for survival and rescue. I found one minor mistake—but explaining it would be a spoiler! (Hint: it involves bacteria.)

The only caveat I offer is a warning about the language. This is adult fiction, and the main characters are military types. There is a lot of vulgarity and profanity. Considering the nature of the book, the language is not surprising (though it could have been toned down a bit without compromising the story’s realism). Readers who prefer to avoid objectionable language should be forewarned.

In conclusion, The Martian is a fast-paced, relentlessly thrilling narrative that will keep readers turning pages well into the night.

(I received a review copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.)