Book S/O: I don't love The Martian. Am I broken?

[gozf]

Everyone loves this one, and I am just not feeling it. I don't hate it, but I have, like, zero desire to find out what happens next. I usually fly through books, and I can't get past page 50. I just don't care. I don't care that this dude is stuck on Mars, making his own water and attempting to grow potatoes out of poo-dirt.

Does this thing pick up soon? Was anyone else underwhelmed by this, or am I the lone a-hole?

[ECB]

I haven't read this book but I agree - if you don't like it, you don't like it. I've read a few books that people have RAVED about and I just can't finish.

[gozf]

Oct 8, 2015 17:44:59 GMT -5 RexManningDay said:

One of my book-twin friends didn't like it either.

It took me a bit to not feel like Mark's voice was trying too hard or something ... But I really got into it after a little while.

Yes! I get a strong douche-vibe from Mark.

I know I'm not obligated to like it or finish it, but I feel like a failure. I want to like it!

[gennyu]

Oct 8, 2015 17:44:59 GMT -5 RexManningDay said:

One of my book-twin friends didn't like it either.

It took me a bit to not feel like Mark's voice was trying too hard or something ... But I really got into it after a little while.

This, exactly...except I felt he was trying too hard through the entire book. If I knew him in real life, I would find him annoying and avoid conversation.

[thedude]

You are broken. Sorry, dude.

[turboteal]

I felt similarly, it was slow going to start out, with lots of dry details about how he does math problems. For me it did finally pick up and I liked it by the end.

[cabbagecabbage]

My book club has chosen it and I have no desire to start it.

[curtains]

Oct 8, 2015 17:48:26 GMT -5 gozf said:

Oct 8, 2015 17:44:59 GMT -5 RexManningDay said:

One of my book-twin friends didn't like it either.

It took me a bit to not feel like Mark's voice was trying too hard or something ... But I really got into it after a little while.

Yes! I get a strong douche-vibe from Mark.

I know I'm not obligated to like it or finish it, but I feel like a failure. I want to like it!

He is a douche in the movie too but somehow it is funny. Put the book down and enjoy two hours of his douchieness on screen instead of suffering through hours of reading the book.

Disclaimer: I actually liked the book

[gozf]

Oct 8, 2015 19:17:55 GMT -5 turboteal said:

I felt similarly, it was slow going to start out, with lots of dry details about how he does math problems. For me it did finally pick up and I liked it by the end.

This is encouraging. I hate quitting books in the middle. I will plow through.

[gozf]

Oct 8, 2015 19:30:21 GMT -5 curtains said:

Oct 8, 2015 17:48:26 GMT -5 gozf said:

Yes! I get a strong douche-vibe from Mark.

I know I'm not obligated to like it or finish it, but I feel like a failure. I want to like it!

He is a douche in the movie too but somehow it is funny. Put the book down and enjoy two hours of his douchieness on screen instead of suffering through hours of reading the book.

Disclaimer: I actually liked the book

I wish I could, but I'm one of those dorks who really, really tries to read the book before I see the movie.

[snipsnsnails]

You know when people say, "It's not you, it's me"? This time it's you. Broken.

[Elsa]

I could not get past the technical babble. Hated it.

[curtains]

Oct 8, 2015 19:33:12 GMT -5 gozf said:

Oct 8, 2015 19:30:21 GMT -5 curtains said:

He is a douche in the movie too but somehow it is funny. Put the book down and enjoy two hours of his douchieness on screen instead of suffering through hours of reading the book.

Disclaimer: I actually liked the book

I wish I could, but I'm one of those dorks who really, really tries to read the book before I see the movie.

I get it. I do too. Just adjust your perception of Mark and enjoy the asshole he is and it will be easier. It gets really good about 75% in.
Report back when you're done.

[ladybug2002]

I actually listened to the audiobook for this one instead of reading it and it was great. The narrator was amazing.

[FastHands]

Oct 8, 2015 17:48:26 GMT -5 gozf said:

Oct 8, 2015 17:44:59 GMT -5 RexManningDay said:

One of my book-twin friends didn't like it either.

It took me a bit to not feel like Mark's voice was trying too hard or something ... But I really got into it after a little while.

Yes! I get a strong douche-vibe from Mark.

I know I'm not obligated to like it or finish it, but I feel like a failure. I want to like it!

I hate this feeling!

[flex]

Okay I've seen the movie, and because of this post I'm going to read the book!!!

[gozf]

Oct 8, 2015 20:18:04 GMT -5 FastHands said:

Oct 8, 2015 17:48:26 GMT -5 gozf said:

Yes! I get a strong douche-vibe from Mark.

I know I'm not obligated to like it or finish it, but I feel like a failure. I want to like it!

I hate this feeling!

It's the pits!!

[shamrockshake]

I didn't think he was douchey either, but I read it after the movie trailer was out and I knew he was matt Damon, I read it in more of his 'smart ass' tone than douche

[gozf]

Oct 8, 2015 20:24:26 GMT -5 toledo said:

If you don't love it, just go see the movie.

Also, I don't agree that Mark is a douche in the movie. In what way?

I cant even pinpoint it; I just don't care for his tone.

That said, my tone would probably be a little off if I were abandoned on another planet.

Lol. I am being ridiculous.

My problem is probably that I really just want to read spooky things in October, but I forced myself to start this so I could finish it before I saw the movie. I actually just want to be re-reading It or something.

[Jalapeñomel]

I've heard a lot of people hate all the technical-sciency parts of the book and it made it boring for them.

[gozf]

Oct 8, 2015 20:42:53 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I've heard a lot of people hate all the technical-sciency parts of the book and it made it boring for them.

Yes, I also hate that.

[05heel]

I didn't LOVE it, but I powered through. I got bored with the science stuff too, but that's not unusual. I skimmed a lot of the details. I didn't think he was an asshole though.

That said, I read the book and have no desire to see the movie now. Maybe you should just stop and wait for the eye candy and visual effects.

[joy]

Oct 8, 2015 20:42:53 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

I've heard a lot of people hate all the technical-sciency parts of the book and it made it boring for them.

I'm a scientist and I just skimmed those parts. I much preferred his running commentary about daily life over his math problems. I didn't find him to be a douche at all. Maybe I'm broken.

[gozf]

Oct 8, 2015 20:49:01 GMT -5 05heel said:

I didn't LOVE it, but I powered through. I got bored with the science stuff too, but that's not unusual. I skimmed a lot of the details. I didn't think he was an asshole though.

That said, I read the book and have no desire to see the movie now. Maybe you should just stop and wait for the eye candy and visual effects.

I don't even like Matt Damon. Why am I forcing this?

[05heel]

Oct 8, 2015 20:53:07 GMT -5 gozf said:

Oct 8, 2015 20:49:01 GMT -5 05heel said:

I didn't LOVE it, but I powered through. I got bored with the science stuff too, but that's not unusual. I skimmed a lot of the details. I didn't think he was an asshole though.

That said, I read the book and have no desire to see the movie now. Maybe you should just stop and wait for the eye candy and visual effects.

I don't even like Matt Damon. Why am I forcing this?

I'd just skip to the last chapter then. The rest is filler. That's how I would have watched the movie. I always Google the ending first.

[textbookcase]

I skimmed some of the science-babble parts, but I really liked it.

[wise_rita]

Oct 8, 2015 19:35:34 GMT -5 Elsa said:

I could not get past the technical babble. Hated it.

I wouldn't say hate, but I agree.

I definitely enjoyed the movie more than the book, but having read the book made me understand/appreciate the book even more.

Wasn't Annie much more awesome/sharp tongued/funny in the book?  Or was I just making that up because I expected a better role for Kristen Wiig?

[jojoandleo]

My book club read it and none of us liked it, so, if you are broken, we all are. It DOES pick up near the end, but I found the beginning so painful. The movie, for the first time ever, was better than the book to me.