Date Started:
October 3, 2015
Date Finished: October 6, 2015
Book Acquisition: Borrowed from Daniel
Overall Rating: 4/5
So I actually forgot that I read the Martian until after I'd posted about Little Women so that's why this is out of order (whoops).
I watched The Martian movie with Daniel and about five minutes in I decided that I needed to read the book immediately. Like nearly walked out of the theater to find the book instead. Blessedly, Daniel had previously purchased the book so I was patient and started it the next day. I really loved it. Really, really, loved it. It was funny and clever and the science was actually super interesting. But the thing that I liked best about the book was the fact that Mark Watney wasn't a some tragic character, defined by the people he left behind. He was strong and inventive for his own sake, not because he needed to get home to wife/kids.
I watched The Martian movie with Daniel and about five minutes in I decided that I needed to read the book immediately. Like nearly walked out of the theater to find the book instead. Blessedly, Daniel had previously purchased the book so I was patient and started it the next day. I really loved it. Really, really, loved it. It was funny and clever and the science was actually super interesting. But the thing that I liked best about the book was the fact that Mark Watney wasn't a some tragic character, defined by the people he left behind. He was strong and inventive for his own sake, not because he needed to get home to wife/kids.
I really feel like in these "left behind" sort of books it sometimes feels like the lesson is that people's value (and worthiness of rescue) is truly based on their relationships (who they leave behind) and I hate that. Mother thinks that's ridiculous but I've been feeling like every damn book and movie and television show in my life is inundated with romantic nonsense. (I won't say drivel because my god do those books/movies/shows wreck me in very non-drivel-ish ways.)
I think I like Mark Watney as single unit because I've been feeling like I'm defined by my relationships. I wish people (specifically my father and his family) would ask me about my job or my interests, not just my fucking boyfriend. And I don't count the passe "oh how's work?" I want the "how do you feel about the new ridiculous level of responsibility you've been handed?" or "what new books are you reading?"
Life's not good because I have a boyfriend. Life is good because I kick ass at my job. Life is good because I'm excited about it.
I think I like Mark Watney as single unit because I've been feeling like I'm defined by my relationships. I wish people (specifically my father and his family) would ask me about my job or my interests, not just my fucking boyfriend. And I don't count the passe "oh how's work?" I want the "how do you feel about the new ridiculous level of responsibility you've been handed?" or "what new books are you reading?"
Life's not good because I have a boyfriend. Life is good because I kick ass at my job. Life is good because I'm excited about it.
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