YA Backlist Bookclub discussion

Welcome to the discussion for The Martian.

I read this sci-fi novel in 2015 and absolutely loved it... the movie is probably one of my favourite of all time now!

Have you read the book or seen the movie? What are your thoughts?

Both. I read the book, first, and was surprised by how not-boring it was. In contrast, I found the film kind of meh. I had more (and better) thoughts when I read and watched them, but I don't remember them now. =(

I read the book quite some time ago as well. I'm planning my first re-read this month.

It was phenomenal, in my opinion. I loved the science, the humor...

It is my go-to recommendation book for people wanting to get into science fiction.

I bought it for my dad last fall to take on his vacation, but I bought it the week before he left...I had to get him another book for his vacation.

I've also watched the film several times. At first I was really put off when I heard Matt Damon would play Mark. I like Damon but not so much in science fiction. However, I was really happy with the casting, overall really, and thought Damon was perfect as Mark. I rent the Blu-ray from the library so often my husband keeps asking when I'm just going to buy it.

Me too, Liz. I was surprised by how well Damon played the role.

Nik wrote: "Me too, Liz. I was surprised by how well Damon played the role."

I could see Jeremy Renner in the part, or maybe Mark Ruffalo, and if Jack Black wasn't such a character actor he may have been able to pull off the comedy but the drama/action scenes may have been a stretch. I'm just really happy they didn't cast Mark Wahlberg (not that I have anything against him, really, but he seems to always get big-budget parts--although he's also really funny). Yeah, Damon really fit for this one.

I forgot that I originally purchased this book for my Kindle which means the Audible edition was discounted to $2.99 so I thought I'd try the audiobook this time around. I've heard it's amazing.

I finished this today. I raised my rating to 4-stars. Even though the story hasn't changed since first reading it in 2015(?), I feel like it was more entertaining now that the film is out. I think I still like them both, maybe the book just a wee bit more than the movie, but I think they compliment each other really well.

Liz wrote: "I finished this today. I raised my rating to 4-stars. Even though the story hasn't changed since first reading it in 2015(?), I feel like it was more entertaining now that the film is out. I think ..."

I didn't get the chance to reread the book last month sadly, however I might try the audiobook one day, I feel it would make the science-side a little more accessible too. Glad you enjoyed it more this time round :)

Despite how the book seemed to follow the formula of, problem, science, solved, problem, science, solved, over and over, I found the book entertaining. It is not a genre I tend to read but it made me want to explore the genre further.

I didn’t think I was that attached to the main character, although he did make me laugh a fair few times, until the end. When he was being blasted into space I found myself on my feet as I read, and my heart rate increased as I wondered whether he was going to survive at all.

I did feel that there should have been an extra chapter on the end about his return to earth. It sort of felt that they ended to close to the action and that there should have been a longer tying off process.