Read 'The Martian' twice before I realized Watney was solving problems with basic science

Finally clicked for me on page 150 of the second read through. Dude patched a hole in his suit with duct tape and math. Made me wonder how many other books have tricks I just missed the first time.

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schmidt.eva1mo ago

Oh man, you're totally right. I remember thinking the first time through that it was just a cool survival story, but after a second read I caught all the little details where he's basically running experiments in his head. Like when he figures out how to grow food on Mars soil using his own waste. I used to think that part was just plot convenience, but now I see it's built on real soil science and chemistry. It changed how I look at problem solving in books now.