02-25-2013, 08:52 PM | #1 |
Outside of a dog
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Really enjoyed "The Martian" by Andy Weir
I just have to plug this SF novel. It has about the worst possible book description on Amazon.com ("The adventures of an astronaut stranded on Mars"), so I would imagine that most folks will give it a pass. I'm here to tell you that this could be among the best 99 cents you'll ever spend.
I know that "hard" SF isn't everyone's cup of tea, and it's usually not mine either, but I found this e-book to be "un-put-downable." It's a credible story of human endurance and ingenuity in the face of insurmountable odds. The characters were compelling, and I found myself really rooting for the hero. Two thumbs up (and I'm hard to impress. I seem to be one of the very few around here on MR who didn't love "Wool.") |
03-11-2014, 03:41 AM | #2 |
Wizard
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I have to second this recommendation.
Just finished it and wow! Really enjoyed it. Characters well drawn, great pace, sprinkling of humour throughout that really works well without disrupting the story and very believable. In fact I would almost believe the author has worked at NASA. It's been described as "Castaway meets Apollo 13" and I would say that's pretty accurate if a little trite. As a debut novel it is very good if a wee but unpolished.(comes from being originally self published I would say) |
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03-11-2014, 04:07 AM | #3 |
Wizard
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Purchased; sounds good.
Note, it's available today on Google Play UK for just £2: https://play.google.com/store/books/...d=gdxlAQAAQBAJ Graham |
03-11-2014, 06:13 AM | #4 |
Guru
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Thanks, purchased it, looks good. I have been searching for a good hard sci-fi after Old Man’s War (which I read last month).
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03-11-2014, 06:49 AM | #5 |
Wizard
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Thanks for the recommendation, curtw. Just read the book summary on Amazon. It sounds like a great read.
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03-11-2014, 07:39 AM | #6 |
Grand Sorcerer
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I've been hearing good things about this--from people who tastes in books often intersect with my own.
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03-11-2014, 09:50 AM | #7 |
Grand Sorcerer
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Here's the new Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Martian-No...dy+weir+kindle The publisher is Crown, and the price is $9.99. It looks (perhaps?) that the author has hit the big time. The cover is now different, too. Andy Weir is the author. ADDED: It appears as if the film rights have been negotiated, which would account for a well-known publisher taking it up and with a newer, higher price. Last edited by Dr. Drib; 03-11-2014 at 10:02 AM. |
03-11-2014, 10:27 AM | #8 |
Member Retired
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The success of Gravity might have helped.
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03-11-2014, 12:20 PM | #9 |
Dark Lord of the Sith
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+1
I started The Martian by Andy Weir last Saturday and I've been reading it non-stop during my spare time (of which I have had little). I've got less than 10% to go, so unless it really takes a dive, I'd say it's one of the most enjoyable books I've read in years. That said, I worked in the space industry for more than 10 years, so it's a topic that I can really relate to. There are many info-dumps in this book that some readers may find dull and boring, but for me they're gold. Oooh, lunch time. Back to reading . . . |
03-11-2014, 12:35 PM | #10 | |
Zealot
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Quote:
Read this a couple of months ago, when a friend recommended it. |
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03-11-2014, 01:15 PM | #11 |
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I read the self-published version last year and really liked it, I am wondering how it has changed by being traditionally published. If anyone has read both versions (or wants to lend me the new version ) I would love to hear a comparison.
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03-11-2014, 06:16 PM | #12 |
Grand Sorcerer
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Not available at Kobo for the Sony Reader. But it is available at Sony as long as you get it by 20 Mar.
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03-11-2014, 06:41 PM | #13 |
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03-11-2014, 06:51 PM | #14 |
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03-11-2014, 06:55 PM | #15 |
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I bought it from the US Kobo store but it wouldn't download. Called Kobo and they said that particular book is not readable on the Sony. When I asked why their web site didn't indicate which books didn't work on the Sony all I heard was crickets.
Making me think I might want to transfer to the Kindle rather than a Kobo. |
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