The Martian
Published
2014
Pages
417
Language
English
ISBN
9780553418026
About this book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Brilliant . . . a celebration of human ingenuity [and] the purest example of real-science sci-fi for many years . . . utterly compelling.”—The Wall Street Journal The inspiration for the major motion picture Six 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 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? NAMED ONE OF PASTE’S BEST NOVELS OF THE DECADE “A hugely entertaining novel [that] reads like a rocket ship afire . . . Weir has fashioned in Mark Watney one of the most appealing, funny, and resourceful characters in recent fiction.”—Chicago Tribune “As gripping as they come . . . You’ll be rooting for Watney the whole way, groaning at every setback and laughing at his pitchblack humor. Utterly nail-biting and memorable.”—Financial Times
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AI Verdict
The Martian is an unputdownable, high-stakes survival story that brilliantly blends hard science with humor and relentless optimism. It's a must-read for science fiction fans, young adults, and anyone seeking a genuinely entertaining and inspiring tale of human ingenuity. Skip it if you prefer character-driven literary fiction over plot-heavy, science-focused adventures.
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Astronaut Mark Watney is accidentally left for dead on Mars after a severe dust storm forces his crew to evacuate. Stranded and alone, with dwindling supplies and no communication, he must rely on his scientific knowledge, engineering skills, and relentless humor to survive the unforgiving Martian environment. Facing one insurmountable obstacle after another, Watney battles starvation, equipment failure, and isolation in a desperate bid to stay alive long enough for a potential rescue.
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