Stranded Alone

By: Priya R.

Andy Weir is a problem solver, a talent that is shown in the books he writes. He has written two books, The Martian and The Egg. The Martian is a book that can keep you on your toes after the main character, Mark Watney is stranded on Mars as a result of a terrible accident.

NASA is portrayed to be determined to learn about the surface of Mars. They send mission after mission to different locations on Mars. The Ares 3 mission was launched and delivered six crew members including Watney at a site called Acidalia Planitia. But on day six, a terrible sandstorm forced the crew to have an early departure back to earth. But, Watney was left because he was presumed dead after he was badly injured.

Watney had to survive 400 days until the next Ares mission was sent. He had to solve problems that we cannot even imagine in our luxurious day to day lives such as deficiency of food, water, and even air. He didn't even have communication with earth as the Ares 3 radio was destroyed during the sandstorm and the other communication system was taken back with the rest of the crew. Will he ever be able to talk to another human before he dies?

This book was amazing for the fear Weir makes you feel. There are many dangerous things Watney has to go through and there is always the constant question of "what-if" that makes this book a page turner. Mark Watney's genius ideas can also show you the power of hope and where your confidence can lead you. Some things I don't like about this book are the transitions and the NASA slang that is used in this book. The transitions can be hard to follow sometimes and the slang is difficult to understand when you are not familiar with it.

I recommend this book to anyone above the age of 13 so they can understand book. It is one of the best books I have read that is mathematically and scientifically correct with such big plot twists.

The Martian, by Andy Weir, 2011, 369