Our book group choice for September 2015 is The Martian by Andy Weir. 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.
The Martian is a science fiction novel by Andy Weir that tells the story of Mark Watney, an American astronaut who is stranded on Mars after his team is forced to evacuate the planet due to a severe dust storm. Watney must use his ingenuity and engineering skills to survive on Mars until a rescue mission can be launched.
The novel begins with Watney’s log entry on Sol 6, the sixth Martian day of his mission. He recounts how the crew was forced to evacuate the planet after a dust storm damaged the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), the only vehicle that could have taken them back to the Hermes, their spaceship. Watney was outside the Hab when the storm hit, and he was struck by the antenna of the Hab’s communications dish. The antenna punctured his suit, and he lost consciousness. When he woke up, he found that the rest of the crew had left, believing him to be dead.
Watney is now stranded on Mars, with no way to contact Earth. He has limited supplies of food, water, and oxygen, and he must use his ingenuity to survive. He begins by repairing the Hab, which has been damaged by the storm. He then starts growing potatoes in the Hab’s lab, using his own feces as fertilizer. He also sets up a system to collect water from the Hab’s atmosphere.
As Watney’s supplies dwindle, he begins to plan his rescue. He knows that the next Ares mission to Mars will not arrive for four years, so he must find a way to get to the Ares 4 MAV, which is located 3,200 kilometers away. He begins modifying one of the rovers so that he can make the journey.
Watney’s rescue mission is not without its challenges. He must deal with the harsh Martian environment, including dust storms, extreme temperatures, and the lack of oxygen. He also must contend with the psychological challenges of being stranded on Mars, alone and with no hope of rescue.
The Martian is a story of survival, ingenuity, and hope. It is a testament to the human spirit and our ability to overcome even the most difficult challenges. The novel is also a celebration of science and engineering, and it shows how these disciplines can be used to solve problems and improve our lives.
In addition to the main plot, The Martian also explores a number of other themes, including teamwork, leadership, and the importance of hope. The novel shows how these qualities can help us overcome adversity and achieve our goals.
Discussion Questions for The Martian
- It’s often the case that the sci-fi aspect of a novel is there to allow an alternative fiction to take place. Did you think that this story worked having science as such a central and immovable concept?
- Did the science seem accessible?
- Did you find the first few chapters of the book easy to get into, being a single narrative with no other characters involved? When the third person narrative in NASA was introduced, was this expected? Did it enhance or detract from the story?
- The passage of time in the book jumps around. Do you think going from daily updates to hundreds of days later was a misstep or an effective use of the narrative?
- There was a lack of any clear antagonist. Do you think the story suffers for this? Or do you think Mars instead provides this focus towards a common enemy?
- Watney doens’t seem to philosophise or talk about his place in the universe in any serious way – is this a realistic portrayal of a man facing up to his own mortality?
- Unlike most castaways, Watney knows exactly what time and place he will be picked up. How do you think this informs his experience on Mars and ours as a reader following him?
- There is no mention of Watney’s background or home life apart from brief mentions of his parents. Did you find it hard to relate to him and his predicament because of this?
- Would you recommend the book?
Individual Ratings
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