I really enjoyed your book, and recommended it to my book club. My question is, how did you learn about all of the science/engineering needed to explain how to survive on Mars? Would those solutions really work? Thanks- and keep writing!

Andy Weir I did tons of research and math for the book. I did my best to be scientifically accurate, though there are inaccuracies in the book, some accidental and some deliberate for dramatic purposes.

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Did you reference or were you inspired by other works of fiction, movies, or television when writing The Martian? If so, what were they?

Cheryl asked Andy Weir:

Why did you decide to modify the ending in the published book version? I thought the original was great!

Sidharth Makhija asked Andy Weir:

Did you have any alternate endings in mind regarding Mark Watney's fate?..If yes then I'd love to hear one of them. :D -Sidharth

All answers from Andy Weir…

Andy Weir

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I really enjoyed your book, and recommended it to my book club. My question is, how did you learn about all of the science/engineering needed to explain how to survive on Mars? Would those solutions really work? Thanks- and keep writing!

More Answered Questions

Did you reference or were you inspired by other works of fiction, movies, or television when writing The Martian? If so, what were they?

Why did you decide to modify the ending in the published book version? I thought the original was great!

Did you have any alternate endings in mind regarding Mark Watney's fate?..If yes then I'd love to hear one of them. :D -Sidharth

About Goodreads Q&A