Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American ReadSix days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that … alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.
Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment, or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first.
But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?
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What separated this book from others was the information the author gave about surviving on Mars. I felt like this could really happen based on the research and thought the author put into the book. Highly recommend this book
One of my all-time favorite books! Lots of real science and while Mr. Weir might not have been 100% accurate, all is forgiven, as this is TOO GOOD! This book inspired the excellent movie of the same name, also one of my favorites, but I suggest you read the book first as it has more detail and you will appreciate the movie more.
A great novel that bases a fictional story on fact.
Great for nerds! Also, funny. The two don’t have to be separate.
Great read. Weir brings a Sagan love of science and the universe to life with this book.
Overrated
Great book if you can get past the technical descriptions. Much better than the movie!
A little too much detail on ciphering cost it a star. Otherwise great.
couldn’t put it down.
this is a great book, very interesting, inspirational, and startling.
Not just another Mars story. Intriguing individual survival opus. Geek on!
Informative in relation to details of survival it an alien fireman. Technically oriented ;some readers will enjoy this type of book others may find it a bit slow.
This book is a really quick read and hilarious! Bonus: The movie is probably one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I’ve ever seen; it’s very true to the book!
A good & quick read.
The movie changed a few things.
Good characters. Realistic near future Science Fiction. This story is unpredictable with its action and consequences, done in a realistic way. Well worth reading. The main character is not a “Martian”, but is a person living on Mars. There are no aliens in this book.
The book is much much better than the movie.
Too much s . . . language, which is appropriate I guess considering his circumstances in both where his, how he got there and what he’s doing. Poignant, interesting, creative and hopeful at times. Read it if you don’t mind the language. Somehow it (the language) was funnier in the movie.
Unique. A new view.
Incredible story. Well thought through in the details. Totally believable. I could not put it down, and was sorry when I finished it.
I enjoyed the realistic science and stick-to-it-ness of the main character.