Andy Weir’s The Martian reminded me of Swiss Family Robinson. Yes, it’s a survival story. An astronaut is left behind when a NASA mission departs the Red Planet. Oops! But this astronaut is clever and resourceful. He manages to grow food and provide a supply of air. All of this is told in great technical detail. Of course, things go wrong. NASA attempts a rescue mission, but that runs into difficulties, too. If you’re a fan of race-against-the-clock stories, The Martian will be right up your alley. Andy Weir’s The Martian was first an ebook and then Crown published it as a traditional book. Either way, the story is gripping. GRADE: B
Very mixed reviews on this one, I’m waiting to find a consensus. Seems you liked it. I think many reads are put off by the way all that “technical detail” was handled by the author.
Rick, some of the complaints about THE MARTIAN revolve around those technical details.
By coincidence I recently read a Silverberg time travel story where the protagonist gets left behind, goes through the portal anyway and finds himself somewhere else than his own time and place.
Jeff, Silverberg is one of my favorite time travel authors. His stories always make logical sense and surprise the reader.