The Book Was Better discussion
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The Martian
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THE MARTIAN
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I liked the book and movie both, but it's kind of hard to judge which one is better. It's sort of like that stuff that was "meh" in the book was excellent in the movie, and the stuff that was "meh" in the movie was excellent in the book.On the meta-side of things, there was a lot of fuss other whether or not the story should be considered a comedy or a drama at the Golden Globes and Oscars. I lean on the "it's a comedy" side of the argument regardless of if we're talking about the film or the book, but I can kind of see why people who've only see the movie might think otherwise.
I finished the book, but I personally would have just watched the movie. The book's prose are really repetitive and tedious. It's like reading a sort of funny manual, which would have been more effective if it's less than 200 pages long.
I loved the book and the movie both, but if I had to chose which I loved most it would be the book. But, I loved the movie so much. They kept so much of the book without losing its greatness, which is very rare in that case. He even said my favorite line from the book, "In your face Neil Armstrong!"
Because his novel had been turned down by literary agents, Andy Weir self-published The Martian as a science fiction series on Amazon. The combination of survival story and serious science at once attracted readers: I found Weir's profile and the description of how he came to write The Martian highly encouraging. See page D10 of the Friday, Feb. 14, 2014 issue of The Wall Street Journal for a full description of the path Weir took on his way to 1200 five-star reviews of his novel on Amazon.
My only beef with the movie is that they nerfed one of (what I think is) the best part of the book. At the end Watney talked about how the entire planet pulled together to bring him home, the disparate governments in the US and China, and how at the core human beings will almost always go the extra mile to help one of their own. It was a beautiful way to end the story, and I was disappointed that the ending of the movie was more of a testament to American ingenuity. Which has its place of course, but it changed the tone of the story.
Andy Weir just won two Hugo awards (look 'em up if you aren't sure what they are) for the Martian. I was at the ceremony last night. He couldn't be there but his awards were picked up by a real live astronaut. Andy visited NASA after the book came out - they love him there.
I finally listened the this audio book this last summer and LOVED it! I need to see the movie, but the audio was done so good I am okay with waiting a bit to see the movie. Now, don't get me wrong. I LOVE me some Matt Damon! But, I know there are likely a few things they won't be able to translate, so for now I am happy with just the book in my brain!
I adore the book too!!! And, just to let you know....the movie is no disappointment !!!! It followed so closely you will love it!
I haven't read the book but did watch the movie, I know I am terrible. But I really loved the movie and by the end of the movie it seemed like it was a true story!
Delia wrote: "I haven't read the book but did watch the movie, I know I am terrible. But I really loved the movie and by the end of the movie it seemed like it was a true story!"Hi Delia, I saw the movie, loved it and so I had to read the book. You won't be disappointed. I loved the book also! Well written.
So uh....how did I never mention here again that not only did I read the book, I've read it at least 3 times and I am obsessed!!! Also, it is one of my ALL TIME favorite book to movie translations since they left almost everything!!!!! I think other than one sand storm it was all pretty spot on.... And man....even talking about it now makes me want to read it again!!!!!!





What did you guys think of it?