Mark Watney is left for dead by his colleagues on Mars mission Ares 3, forced to evacuate the planet due to unexpected storm. But our hero, temporarily cut off from all communication is alive and determined to get by. It has in theory than 400 days of reserves, but without relying on his ingenuity. And when the earth shall see the mistake. Everything is implemented. Saving Private Ryan uh Watney.
As the publisher and already a lot of criticism, I have to go through it: Mix McGyver failed to Robinson Crusoe in the mood Gravity and have your novel. Literarily speaking a mix of Mars, Mars Back Bova B. and S. Baxter Travel more relaxed and sprinkled with no ill humor also works well.
Astrophysics, biology, botany, chemistry, a little math, you name it, but beware, yes it is the hard science, but we should not be either Stephen Hawking to fully understand and appreciate this novel. On the contrary, realism, detail in this survival action heroes make something very realistic and immersive (far to survival through a cave and discovered by chance and full of life-saving technology).
Did I say it is full of humor? Our hero, tireless perseverance and optimism greatly contributes. We are light years existential despair Solaris for example.
The playful style is very accessible. It alternates with the logbook of the survivor (yes it is a recurring narrative ease right now, but it is very effective in proximity to the reader) that accumulates the challenges (and Murphy is not his friend) and the situation on Earth (besides classical literary mode).
In this adventure absolutely breathless, a hero of the sentence sums up the situation: "For once, I'd like things are going as planned. Only once ... March continues to try to get my skin ".
The output of Ridley Scott's film is scheduled for 02/12/15 in France with Matt Damon as heroes. It should promise.
A must read.
