Adam Savage interviews "The Martian" author Andy Weir

[Weaver]

Really good interview here with Andy Weir, author of the best-selling book "The Martian" which has now been made into a film directed by Ridley Scott:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SemyzKgaUU

The premise of the book is that a near future Mars mission is forced to abort and return home, believing that astronaut Mark Watney is dead. Turns out he's still alive, and he then has to survive for four years on what's left in the base plus his own ingenuity. The book is, by all accounts, immaculately researched and super-realistic, to the point where NASA/ESA folk are huge fans.

Trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue4PCI0NamI

[Captain Canada]

Great find. Thanks ! Looking forward to the film.

[Nick]

I think this sums up the story quite well
http://xkcd.com/1536/

[zenrat]

I think this sums up the story quite well
http://xkcd.com/1536/

So, duct tape will have a prominent role in this move.  That explains the choice of interviewer...

[Weaver]

I think this sums up the story quite well
http://xkcd.com/1536/

So, duct tape will have a prominent role in this move.  That explains the choice of interviewer...

Well Adam's ex-movie industry so it'd be gaffer tape for him.... 

[Mossie]

The book is excellent, it was one of the first I downloaded to the Kindle and as a bonus was very cheap.  I got the feeling Andy Weir either worked on contingency planning for the Mars program or had contacts with people who did.  I'll watch the interview and find out, ta Harold!

Harold alluded on another thread, it's very qouteable.  One of my favourites:

I need to ask myself, "what would an Apollo astronaut do"?  He'd drink 3 whiskey sours, bang his mistress, then fly to the moon.  And if he ever met a botanist like me he'd dispense a wedgie on principle.  To hell with those guys, I'm a Space Pirate!

[Mossie]

I was completely wrong, just a self confessed 'dork' who researched everything.

Thanks for posting Harold, gave some great insight into a novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.

This got mentioned in the interview: The Egg, a short story by the same author.  Very much worth reading for the few minutes it'll take.
http://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html

[Gondor]

The Egg, a short story by the same author.  Very much worth reading for the few minutes it'll take.
http://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html

Nice 

Gondor

[Weaver]

The Egg, a short story by the same author.  Very much worth reading for the few minutes it'll take.
http://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html

Nice 

Gondor

Yep - Good one.

[zenrat]

The Egg, a short story by the same author.  Very much worth reading for the few minutes it'll take.
http://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html

Nice 

Gondor

[Gondor]

The Egg, a short story by the same author.  Very much worth reading for the few minutes it'll take.
http://www.galactanet.com/oneoff/theegg_mod.html

Just realised that this means the phrase "Go F&@k Yourself" would be true 

Gondor

[Mossie]

 

I'm not sure whether to watch the film or not.  I probably will, although I can't imagine they can quite capture the feel of the book in a movie.  Always a problem when you've read the book first!

The only time I've ever liked a film more than the book was The Godfather.

[Weaver]

LOG ENTRY: 15.06.2015

Got the last copy of The Martian in the Stockport branch of Waterstone's today. I'm so happy!

LOG ENTRY: 17.06.2015

Finished reading The Martian today. I'm so impressed!

[Mossie]

I was about to say 'hope you enjoy it', guess you already have!   

[Ed S]

Just finished reading it yesterday. Very enjoyable.

Ed