His Book Review: The Martian by Andy Weir (2014)

Why he read it: on many list of best books of 2014

Would he recommend it: Yes

His review: I got into reading science fiction for the fiction and not as much for the science. I appreciate the science, and the emphasis by authors in making the science accurate, but I’m much more interested in the narrative and ideas raised by the science than by the science itself.

This novel, written by an admitted science geek, effectively details the science yet keeps the story fun and exciting. I’m not able to judge where all the tactics Whatney had to follow in order to grow enough food and create enough water, and produced enough breathable air in order to survive on Mars. But he smartly describes his actions to an science-novice audience, which keeps it from becoming too dry (although I do question where an astronaut, leaving an audio diary, would expect his audience to be non-experts instead of his expert colleagues).

This a book that keeps the pages turning—tracking Whatney’s struggles, the attempts back on Earth to mount a rescue, and the mounting tension. Weir is a solid writer—there are only a questionable misteps. Mainly, these come in Whatney’s attempts at humor that feel a bit out of place.

I’m looking forward to seeing how the Ridley Scott movie makes all the science exciting. But even if that doesn’t quite work, this is a definitely a book worth reading, even if science fiction isn’t your thing.