If you’re looking for a thrill, The Martian is the novel for you. It’s been a long time since I last found myself on the edge of my seat while finishing a story. And what an ending it has!

After the crew of the Ares 3 is forced to unexpectedly abort its mission, botanist Mark Watney is presumed dead and left behind on Mars. Without any contact, he manages to survive in the hab, a facility where he has access to air, electricity, food, vitamins and water, though only for a limited time. Accustomed to thinking in terms of data and solutions, Mark starts to calculate his chances of survival, knowing there will be a fourth mission to the planet. What follows is a breathtaking account of an utterly isolated man who uses his knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics to grow potatoes, create water from hydrogen and oxygen, and repair damaged materials. Mark’s account is interspersed with stories from Earth – when NASA discovers through satellite images that he is still alive, a wave of ‘Markmania’ sweeps across the globe.

Science fiction author Andy Weir has a talent for making moments feel tangible. It is easy to share in the joy felt on Earth upon learning about Mark’s progress, or to empathise with his frustration at having to live in a space rover for days while traveling across Mars. Additionally, I loved Weir’s focus on chemistry, which was something new for me as a reader. While I’m no expert and can’t say whether his creations would make any sense in reality, I assume Weir, like most sci-fi writers, plays with the boundaries of physics. The detailed level of granularity adds to the story’s credibility.

The Martian reminded me of two other unrelated novels: [b:The Catcher in the Rye|51734682|The Catcher in the Rye|J.D. Salinger|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565738966l/51734682.SX50_SY75.jpg|3036731] by J.D. Salinger, due to Mark’s irreverent attitude, and [b:The Wall|586852|The Wall|Marlen Haushofer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1435260852l/586852.SY75.jpg|573687] by Marlen Haushofer, where the protagonist is also forced to make a living in solitude. In Weir’s story, however, an entire planet follows his journey. The project to save his life raises questions about the value of a human life and the influence of media in that context.

I was in doubt about giving the novel five stars. While it’s an impressive work of science fiction, I found Weir’s writing a tad too slick at times. The cultural references, which were meant as a running gag, didn’t quite work for me and became more of an annoyance. These are minor flaws in an otherwise excellent book.