Really enjoyed "The Martian" by Andy Weir

curtw · 02-25-2013, 08:52 PM

I just have to plug this SF novel. It has about the worst possible book description on Amazon.com ("The adventures of an astronaut stranded on Mars"), so I would imagine that most folks will give it a pass. I'm here to tell you that this could be among the best 99 cents you'll ever spend.

I know that "hard" SF isn't everyone's cup of tea, and it's usually not mine either, but I found this e-book to be "un-put-downable." It's a credible story of human endurance and ingenuity in the face of insurmountable odds. The characters were compelling, and I found myself really rooting for the hero.

Two thumbs up (and I'm hard to impress. I seem to be one of the very few around here on MR who didn't love "Wool.")

PKFFW · 03-11-2014, 03:41 AM

I have to second this recommendation.

Just finished it and wow! Really enjoyed it. Characters well drawn, great pace, sprinkling of humour throughout that really works well without disrupting the story and very believable. In fact I would almost believe the author has worked at NASA. It's been described as "Castaway meets Apollo 13" and I would say that's pretty accurate if a little trite.

As a debut novel it is very good if a wee but unpolished.(comes from being originally self published I would say)

Graham · 03-11-2014, 04:07 AM

Purchased; sounds good.

Note, it's available today on Google Play UK for just £2:

https://play.google.com/store/books/...d=gdxlAQAAQBAJ

Graham

din155 · 03-11-2014, 06:13 AM

Thanks, purchased it, looks good. I have been searching for a good hard sci-fi after Old Man’s War (which I read last month).

Gazella · 03-11-2014, 06:49 AM

Thanks for the recommendation, curtw. Just read the book summary on Amazon. It sounds like a great read.

DiapDealer · 03-11-2014, 07:39 AM

I've been hearing good things about this--from people who tastes in books often intersect with my own.

Dr. Drib · 03-11-2014, 09:50 AM

Here's the new Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Martian-No...dy+weir+kindle

The publisher is Crown, and the price is $9.99.

It looks (perhaps?) that the author has hit the big time.

The cover is now different, too.

Andy Weir is the author.

ADDED: It appears as if the film rights have been negotiated, which would account for a well-known publisher taking it up and with a newer, higher price.

Rizla · 03-11-2014, 10:27 AM

The success of Gravity might have helped.

Darth_Bane · 03-11-2014, 12:20 PM

+1

I started The Martian by Andy Weir last Saturday and I've been reading it non-stop during my spare time (of which I have had little). I've got less than 10% to go, so unless it really takes a dive, I'd say it's one of the most enjoyable books I've read in years.

That said, I worked in the space industry for more than 10 years, so it's a topic that I can really relate to. There are many info-dumps in this book that some readers may find dull and boring, but for me they're gold.

Oooh, lunch time. Back to reading . . .

ametzler · 03-11-2014, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curtw

I just have to plug this SF novel.
[...]
I know that "hard" SF isn't everyone's cup of tea, and it's usually not mine either, but I found this e-book to be "un-put-downable." It's a credible story of human endurance and ingenuity in the face of insurmountable odds. The characters were compelling, and I found myself really rooting for the [...]

+1
Read this a couple of months ago, when a friend recommended it.

Dazrin · 03-11-2014, 01:15 PM

I read the self-published version last year and really liked it, I am wondering how it has changed by being traditionally published. If anyone has read both versions (or wants to lend me the new version

) I would love to hear a comparison.

MickeyC · 03-11-2014, 06:16 PM

Not available at Kobo for the Sony Reader. But it is available at Sony as long as you get it by 20 Mar.

Dr. Drib · 03-11-2014, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyC

Not available at Kobo for the Sony Reader. But it is available at Sony as long as you get it by 20 Mar.

It's available at Kobo UK.

I just now checked.

peachiekene · 03-11-2014, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyC

Not available at Kobo for the Sony Reader. But it is available at Sony as long as you get it by 20 Mar.

*ack* kepubs.

MickeyC · 03-11-2014, 06:55 PM

I bought it from the US Kobo store but it wouldn't download. Called Kobo and they said that particular book is not readable on the Sony. When I asked why their web site didn't indicate which books didn't work on the Sony all I heard was crickets.

Making me think I might want to transfer to the Kindle rather than a Kobo.

02-25-2013, 08:52 PM	#1
curtw Outside of a dog Posts: 863 Karma: 4457646 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston, TX Device: Kindle Voyage	Really enjoyed "The Martian" by Andy Weir I just have to plug this SF novel. It has about the worst possible book description on Amazon.com ("The adventures of an astronaut stranded on Mars"), so I would imagine that most folks will give it a pass. I'm here to tell you that this could be among the best 99 cents you'll ever spend. I know that "hard" SF isn't everyone's cup of tea, and it's usually not mine either, but I found this e-book to be "un-put-downable." It's a credible story of human endurance and ingenuity in the face of insurmountable odds. The characters were compelling, and I found myself really rooting for the hero. Two thumbs up (and I'm hard to impress. I seem to be one of the very few around here on MR who didn't love "Wool.")

03-11-2014, 09:50 AM	#7
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,748 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	Here's the new Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Martian-No...dy+weir+kindle The publisher is Crown, and the price is $9.99. It looks (perhaps?) that the author has hit the big time. The cover is now different, too. Andy Weir is the author. ADDED: It appears as if the film rights have been negotiated, which would account for a well-known publisher taking it up and with a newer, higher price. Last edited by Dr. Drib; 03-11-2014 at 10:02 AM.

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03-11-2014, 03:41 AM	#2
PKFFW Wizard Posts: 3,681 Karma: 28297636 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: BeBook, Sony PRS-T1, Kobo H2O	I have to second this recommendation. Just finished it and wow! Really enjoyed it. Characters well drawn, great pace, sprinkling of humour throughout that really works well without disrupting the story and very believable. In fact I would almost believe the author has worked at NASA. It's been described as "Castaway meets Apollo 13" and I would say that's pretty accurate if a little trite. As a debut novel it is very good if a wee but unpolished.(comes from being originally self published I would say)

03-11-2014, 04:07 AM	#3
Graham Wizard Posts: 2,743 Karma: 32912427 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North Yorkshire, UK Device: Kobo H20, Pixel 2, Samsung Chromebook Plus	Purchased; sounds good. Note, it's available today on Google Play UK for just £2: https://play.google.com/store/books/...d=gdxlAQAAQBAJ Graham

03-11-2014, 06:13 AM	#4
din155 Guru Posts: 880 Karma: 7556602 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle PW, Win 10 thinkpad 8in	Thanks, purchased it, looks good. I have been searching for a good hard sci-fi after Old Man’s War (which I read last month).

03-11-2014, 06:49 AM	#5
Gazella Wizard Posts: 1,694 Karma: 4601218 Join Date: Nov 2012 Device: Kindle Oasis	Thanks for the recommendation, curtw. Just read the book summary on Amazon. It sounds like a great read.

03-11-2014, 07:39 AM	#6
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 27,552 Karma: 193191846 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I've been hearing good things about this--from people who tastes in books often intersect with my own.

03-11-2014, 10:27 AM	#8
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	The success of Gravity might have helped.

03-11-2014, 12:20 PM	#9
Darth_Bane Dark Lord of the Sith Posts: 60 Karma: 95334 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: A Galaxy Far Far Away Device: Sony PRS-505 and PRS-300, Kobo Wifi, Touch and Mini, Kindle 4NT	+1 I started The Martian by Andy Weir last Saturday and I've been reading it non-stop during my spare time (of which I have had little). I've got less than 10% to go, so unless it really takes a dive, I'd say it's one of the most enjoyable books I've read in years. That said, I worked in the space industry for more than 10 years, so it's a topic that I can really relate to. There are many info-dumps in this book that some readers may find dull and boring, but for me they're gold. Oooh, lunch time. Back to reading . . .

03-11-2014, 01:15 PM	#11
Dazrin Wizard Posts: 2,631 Karma: 73864785 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: PDXish Device: Kindle Voyage, various Android devices	I read the self-published version last year and really liked it, I am wondering how it has changed by being traditionally published. If anyone has read both versions (or wants to lend me the new version ) I would love to hear a comparison.

03-11-2014, 06:16 PM	#12
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Not available at Kobo for the Sony Reader. But it is available at Sony as long as you get it by 20 Mar.

03-11-2014, 06:55 PM	#15
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	I bought it from the US Kobo store but it wouldn't download. Called Kobo and they said that particular book is not readable on the Sony. When I asked why their web site didn't indicate which books didn't work on the Sony all I heard was crickets. Making me think I might want to transfer to the Kindle rather than a Kobo.