Posted on 2025/08/17

by Billy Song

Edited by Fiona Qi

In the constellation of science fiction literature, The Martian stands as a distinct and brilliant star. Most readers may first recall the 2015 film adaptation starring Matt Damon that captured public attention. However, while the original novel did not spark a nationwide craze like the movie, it maintains a vital position within science fiction literature. Now, a decade after the film’s release, let’s explore the enduring appeal of this classic science fiction novel.

The Martian innovates boldly in narrative structure. Most chapters are presented as log entries, a technique that was distinctive at the time and still feels fresh today. This approach generates a powerful sense of authenticity and immersion. Readers inhabit the protagonist’s perspective, and through the logs, deeply experience his shifting emotions amid dire circumstances on Mars. The author’s language is concise, clear, and scientifically precise, avoiding ornamental excess, which keeps the prose fluid and direct. Combined with the plot’s twists and turns, it holds readers’ attention firmly.

The book’s science fiction elements are not fanciful, but grounded in the realistic technological advances of its era, projecting plausible future developments. With meticulous scientific rigor, the author dissects the mechanisms of each device, constructing a logically consistent, credible science fiction world. This dedication to detail imbues the story with authentic scientific depth and offers some educational value. Readers enjoy the narrative while absorbing substantial physics and chemistry knowledge.

Take the manned mission "Ares Project" in the book as an example. This is a grand blueprint for Mars exploration that is carefully planned, advanced in the long term, and implemented in stages. Its general process is as follows: The nuclear - thermal - powered aircraft carrier "Hermes" undertakes the round - trip mission between the Earth and Mars. When the "Hermes" reaches the Martian orbit, it launches a landing module to the Martian surface. After the scientific research mission on the Martian surface is successfully completed, the scientific researchers will return to the "Hermes" from the Martian surface through the pre - built return capsule on Mars. Of course, this is just a brief summary of the entire plan. In the original work, all aspects of the mission, from the pre - preparation to the specific implementation, and then to the possible risks and coping strategies, are elaborated in detail and deeply and rigorously scientifically verified, fully demonstrating the author's profound scientific literacy and excellent narrative skills. In addition, science fiction settings full of whimsy such as the survival pod and the oxygen generator also add a lot to the story. Together, they build a distinctive world of Mars exploration.

However, it should not be overlooked that there are also some dramatized and idealized plot treatments in the book. In the story, the storm on Mars becomes a turning point in the protagonist's fate. It is not only the direct cause of his being trapped on Mars but also poses a huge threat during his subsequent survival process. However, according to current scientific research results, the wind force of the storm on Mars is actually not strong enough to blow away large - scale mechanical facilities, and its main impact is more reflected in dust. In addition, in the plot, the protagonist easily solves the air - leakage problem of the constant - pressure survival pod with special soft glue. In a real extraterrestrial environment, dealing with air - tightness problems is undoubtedly much more complex and difficult. Although there are these plot elements that do not fully conform to real - world science, they do not fundamentally undermine the scientific and rational style of the whole book. Instead, they enhance the drama and tension of the story to a certain extent.

Compared with its rich and detailed science fiction settings, The Martian is slightly inferior in plot construction. Although the author tries his best to set numerous obstacles for the protagonist's survival journey on Mars during the creation process, trying to create a tense and exciting atmosphere, after the story passes the most difficult initial stage, the setting of some difficulties inevitably gives people a sense of far - fetchedness. At the same time, limited by the length of the book, the portrayal of characters and the description of their growth arcs have not been fully developed. Even the core protagonist has not completely escaped this limitation. In the author's opinion, the author intentionally adopts a flat - character - building method, aiming to focus more pen and energy on the scientific and science - fiction content that he is good at and wants to highlight.

Take the protagonist as an example. From the plot in the book, it can be clearly seen that he is an extremely optimistic, calm, and rational person. When facing the disaster of being trapped alone on Mars, he quickly adjusts his mindset and devotes himself to sorting out supplies and self-rescue actions with amazing speed and efficiency. This character setting enables the story to avoid spending a lot of space on delicately depicting the protagonist's inner struggles and breakdowns, so that the focus can be quickly and accurately shifted to the novel and unique science - fiction devices and survival challenges. The subsequent interactions and connections between the protagonist and his teammates, family, and superiors, due to the protagonist's humorous personality traits, appear relaxed and witty, which not only relieves the tense and depressing atmosphere but also appropriately promotes the development of the plot. Overall, although the plot of this book is difficult to reach the level of climax after climax and grip the heart, as the reading progresses, its unique charm gradually emerges. Especially after unlocking the dual perspectives of Mars and the Earth in the later stage, it adds more layers and enjoyments to the story.

As mentioned above, the whole book of The Martian mainly focuses on novel and interesting science fiction settings and exciting survival challenges on Mars, without delving deep into profound life philosophies or social issues. This creative tendency leads to an overly idealized portrayal of the world's political arena and the scientific community in the later stage. Regarding topics such as the complexity of human nature and power struggles in the political field, the author chooses to touch on them briefly without in-depth exploration and analysis. Although this creative style is understandable and belongs to the author's personal artistic choice, it inevitably gives people a sense of disconnection at certain moments, lacking a close connection with the real world and a sufficient real-world foundation and profound connotations.

In the book, most of the people on Earth pay close attention to every move of the protagonist on Mars, and almost the entire country's high-level officials go all out to try every means to rescue the protagonist on Mars. Although it can be understood that the author's move is to highlight human unity and cooperation and respect for life, and it is an idealized treatment to serve the main body of the story, this overly idealized and simplified description method weakens the credibility and authenticity of the story to a certain extent, affecting the readers' reading experience and making it difficult to generate a more intense emotional resonance.

Overall, as a science fiction work more than a decade ago, it is quite forward - looking. Many of the fantasies about the future in the book have not been realized today, and it still reads very novel. Although it has some small flaws as mentioned above, none of these can prevent it from becoming a milestone in the history of science fiction. It builds a hardcore framework for survival on Mars with scientific rationality and injects humanistic warmth with the protagonist's optimistic spirit. Letting readers feel the wonder of the science - fiction world and also experience the wisdom and courage of humanity in the face of despair while following the protagonist to solve survival problems. For readers who love hardcore science fiction and are fond of scientific details, this work is undoubtedly a must-read. Its exploration of the balance between science and narrative also provides a valuable model for science fiction creation.