Author: Andy Weir

Year: 2021

Read: April 2026 (Second Read)

Favorite Character: Rocky

Rating: 4.5/5

Thoughts and Praise: When I first read this book, I couldn't put it down after getting about 5 chapters in. It really gets a grip on you from the get go. I also knew next to nothing going into it, only that it was by the same author as The Martian. I lament everyone who will go to read this after watching the movie or just having an awareness about the movie. Because honestly, one of my favorite parts about the first read through was getting slapped in the face with the whole alien thing.

I think I still love this book as much as I did the first time. Some of my favorite parts are all the science shenangigans they get up to in the Earth flashbacks, and those were really highlighted for me after seeing the movie (which contains significantly less of that). Stratt is a great character, but there are a lot of other gems that you don't get to see in the movie.

I did forget how much this book made me fall in love with the friendship between Grace and Rocky. The movie does a good job too, but there's something special about it in the text. The 'goodbye' scene had me tearing up again even after having lived through this story twice, now. Nothing particularly dramatic is said, and it just feels so true to a farewell between two good friends who expect to never see each other again. Just beautiful.

Criticism: So, mostly listened to the audiobook on this read through, just to save myself some time. I am not a fan of audiobooks when it comes to fiction, but I had heard good things about this one in particular. After reading/listening, I can see how this audiobook was well done, but I am still not a big fan of them. It colors my perception of the characters too much. I found Grace kind of annoying at times, when I don't remember ever thinking that on the first read. I think I'll be saving audiobooks for my non-fiction pursuits.

One of my complaints/disappointments with the movie was that there wasn't enough science-y stuff for my tastes, but honestly, the book maybe goes too hard on this at times. However, having read the book before might be what makes me say that, or the fact that I found the narrator more insufferable this time, due to hearing his voice.