Andy weir’s novel The Martian and other more recent novels have made tremendous impacts on the science fiction genre. Scientific principles that would be utterly confusing if researched on one’s own (such as turning rocket fuel into water) are explained with ease. However, Weir’s explanations are not just for those who are science-illiterate but also for those who understand and work with these science concepts. Additionally, the logic for the processes that occur in Weir’s novels resonates with his readers since the cause and effects of these situations tend to match with what the reader believes should happen. One of the main reasons for why Weir’s The Martian-and many other novels written by Weir-is so impactful to the hard science fiction genre is its focus on problem solving in a world that closely mirrors our own. Instead of describing the conquering of mars as an unthinkable task, Mars allows for survival, just as earth would. Weir’s novels do not feature dystopian worlds where the reader is plunged into another world, rather, they present the world as readers know it, allowing them to more closely relate with the book. Weir’s novels indulge in themes that are relevant today in our world: unity, inherent human good, selflessness. 

In some of Andy Weir’s novels (especially when looking at Artemis) a lot of writing techniques are transferred from past novels. Specifically, when looking at how Weir utilizes exposition, the results can be confusing in several ways. First, when trying to explain how the world functions and other important information, less of the story is told, making more of books’ compositions exposition rather than story telling. Second, the characters descriptions sometimes do not match the characters actions. Knowing botany and mechanical engineering makes much more sense to the reader when the main character is a botanist and mechanical engineer rather than a criminal smuggler. In Artemis the main character is described significantly differently than how she actually acts within the book. She is described to be in her 20’s but her actions do not mirror this fact. Additionally, the way certain events are explained in Artemis can be confusing in that the main character tends to explain what happens. Rather than it be explained to someone, though, it is explained toward herself in a thinking-out-loud manner. This makes a blend between 1st person story telling and 3rd person story telling that can be fairly confusing for the reader. 

Returning back to the light of The Martian, a large emphasis on realism, both scientific and natural, is brought forth. It is this realism that captivates and keeps readers interested in Andy Weir’s books. On the science side, there is the focus on both hard and soft sciences (math, chemistry, physics, etc. and psychology, sociology, economics etc. respectively). Most of Mark Watney’s (main character) concocted plans involve some sort of hard science. On the other side of the coin, the pushes that humans make to save Mark Watney show the soft sciences. But it’s not just the realism within science that keeps readers reading, it’s the fact that the events of the story are plausible in the mind of the reader. Of course you’re going to run out of food if you’re spending 400 days on mars. Of course people want Mark Watney to be rescued and not starve on a planet alone. Of course duct tape is going to work on Mars because when does it not? There is a balance to strike between what’s realistic and what’s realistic. Rather, what is accurate and what is believable. There are some compromises to be made when it comes to fiction, and within The Martian, there are some embellishments such as the state of dust storms and the atmosphere on Mars. Without them, however, it would be nigh impossible to write fiction in some cases, and, after all, it is fiction.

When moving toward another Weir Novel, Project Hail Mary, many similarities and differences present themselves. Similar to other novels by Andy Weir, the explanations are front and center, providing a grip on the reader and keeping them hooked. A lot of humor is baked into the writing. And a lot of underlying themes are brought to the reader’s mind. On the other hand, a lot of what is presented is less touched upon and more glossed over. The development and presentation of characters is not highly delved into, and the means of portraying characteristics (typically flashbacks) lacks the same impact and takes away from the feel of development. In a slightly different manner, the way that scientific processes commence mirrors the style of other novels by Andy Weir but are so common that it takes away from the problem-solution gratification. Returning to the humor aspect of Project Hail Mary, the way that morale is kept does not match the stakes of the situation. To elaborate, the loss of the human race is at hand, but the tone suggests a much simpler, amiable circumstances.