The Martian
Setting
The novel is set around the year 2035.
The events of The Martian take place on Mars, Earth, and in outer space.
The Martian is set at the 'Ares 3' site in on Mars' southern Acidalia Planitia. Which is a flat area.
Symbolism
Pathfinder
The Path home
Return Home
Journeys end
Rover
Loyalty
Setting (Mars)
Loneliness
Seperation
Language/structure
A pretty basic structure
Both written in the first and third person
Very detailed
Longer sentences
Dry and sometimes corny humor
Nerdy and scientific language
Genre
Drama
Personal development
Emotional Themes
Science Fiction
Fiction/partly unrealistic
Author
Andy Weir
In 2014 and 2017 Reir won the Goodreads choice awards for Best Science Fiction
He also wrote the books Artemis and Project Hail Mary
Born June 16, 1972
My opinion
The writing is mediocre at best, but it's originality is undeniable.
The book would've been more revolutionary if someone else come up with this storyline. It would've been more impactful if the writer had put a lot more effort into making it less predictble because this thing could've been an absolute classic with more structured and thoughtful writing schemes. Now it justb leaves a lot to be desired.
And although I didn't really like this book. I do have to say that it feels complete. The book does make sense and it does feel like it's ahead of its time.
A lot of chapters really come over as effortless, as if Reir wrote them in like 5 minutes. This comes off as mediocre and under thoughtful. Which kind off leaves my interest dry after reading the first quarter of the book.
A lot more difficult to get into and the book is more indirect
Some chapters lack ambition and tension which isn't a bad thing, but it does make a lot more predictable.
Characters
Mindy Park
Quickly becomes involved in conversations with upper-level NASA officials on how to track Watney’s progress, make contact with him, and eventually rescue him.
Satelitte communications engineer
Mark Watney
Survives on Mars in isolation
An intelligent human being
Grows his own food and comes up with realistic and thoughtful plans.
He tells his own story in first person
Main character
Rich Purnell
Physican
His genius way of thinking saved Mark
Themes
Phycological Thriller
Isolation
Hope
Structure
NASA never gives up on Mark
They could easily give up and say Mark died to save budget
Mark Never gives up, always works to his goal of returning home
Modifies existing technology to better suit him
Water Reclaimer to water plants
Rover becomes livable
Gathers a new radio,
Despite a 20 day journey.
Communication with Earth
Gets Help
