Great review. I especially like this part: "But as so many journals and accounts of marooned people have shown us through the ages, it's not the major accomplishments that define the person or determine the likelihood of survival. It's how the person deals with the day in, day out monotony of solitude and hard labor."
Definitely agree. It's how they deal with those moments of isolation and even hopelessness that makes it memorable and interesting. Completely OT, but it brings to mind the Tom Hanks film Cast Away, and his "friendship" with the soccer ball. Heh.
In any case, almost everyone I know has loved this one. I tried a sample, but it just didn't do it for me. Didn't really like the MC's voice.
Thanks for your comment :) I linked to Cast Away under "plenty" actually. I also linked to Apollo 13. Between those two movies, I bet you can preview everything that's going to happen in the film adaptation of this book.
I'm surprised at the positive response this book has gotten but I don't follow the best seller lists; I have no way to basis to compare this book to what else the vox populi is reading. I found it cute but ultimately "meh", sort of like this season of Project Runway.
"Between those two movies, I bet you can preview everything that's going to happen in the film adaptation of this book."
I bet you're right about that. :) I don't think it will be anything we haven't seen before. But yeah, I can definitely see the film version adding a little more of how the MC copes psychologically since that seems to be missing from the book. And as a complete aside, I can see Matt Damon being really great. I didn't particularly like the MC, but somehow I think Matt Damon will bring a certain charisma to the role.
Definitely agree. It's how they deal with those moments of isolation and even hopelessness that makes it memorable and interesting. Completely OT, but it brings to mind the Tom Hanks film Cast Away, and his "friendship" with the soccer ball. Heh.
In any case, almost everyone I know has loved this one. I tried a sample, but it just didn't do it for me. Didn't really like the MC's voice.
I'm surprised at the positive response this book has gotten but I don't follow the best seller lists; I have no way to basis to compare this book to what else the vox populi is reading. I found it cute but ultimately "meh", sort of like this season of Project Runway.
I bet you're right about that. :) I don't think it will be anything we haven't seen before. But yeah, I can definitely see the film version adding a little more of how the MC copes psychologically since that seems to be missing from the book. And as a complete aside, I can see Matt Damon being really great. I didn't particularly like the MC, but somehow I think Matt Damon will bring a certain charisma to the role.