The Martian (5 points)

            When I first saw that “The Martian” was on the reading list for this week I was surprised. Firstly, because I didn’t know it was a book. I had seen the movie around the time it came out and really enjoyed. I think what I enjoyed most about the film was that it is a sci-fi film but it approaches it in a scientific way. Many sci-fi films and stories lean more towards the fiction and fantasy. Even though “The Martian” is about an astronaut on Mars, it feels like it is telling a true story because things are mostly told through a way we naturally understand them in our world.

            Technology is very present in this book. Although it may seem like there should be robots and all sorts of high-tech things in this story, there really isn’t (and it isn’t necessary). With any space station, there has to be technology and a lot of present day technology used in space isn’t common to the most people. The technology in this book is complex in some ways but it is also realistic.

            The book and film share many similarities. One of the main differences is that the book dives even deeper into the scientific aspect of the story than the film adaption does. I think the film and book work in their own ways despite their differences. The book clearly shows that this is a complicated situation. It can be intense at times but it is more of a scientific puzzle compared to the film.

            One of the more intense moments in the book is when Watney takes the launch vehicle to his extraction point. He must travel a bit out of the way to avoid a dust storm. In the process of this, the vehicle flips over but he eventually gets it back up and running. The film excludes this and makes it a quick and easy journey. The more intense moments in the film are when Watney leaves Mars.

            I find it interesting that our main character is a botanist. Being an astronaut is a rare job of course, but it has been seen in dozens of stories. The occupation of a botanist is not something you see too often. The book takes things very scientifically while still making it interesting. Watney is a funny and entertaining character, making it easy for us to enjoy this one-person story.

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