Book read: The Martian by Andy Weir

With the release of the Ridley Scott film, this book was republished and I picked it up to try and get back into reading some science fiction.

My last science fiction was an Iain Banks novel which was a clever book but a difficult read.

The Martian is a breath of fresh air compared to that.  The story is of an astronaut left for dead on Mars who has to work out how to survive long enough for rescue.   The chapters comprise of limited horizon problem solving to try and extend his survival window, all based on believable science and calculations.

There are also some good chapters of the rescue mission planning back on Earth, where Weir captures the "united front" portrayed to the outside world, versus the "internal politics" of the inner NASA management.

I read it in a few days which usually is a good sign of a good read.