Gobbledygeek episode 215, “The Martian: Part 1 – Martian, Martian, Martian! (feat. Kenn Edwards),” is available for listening or download right here, and on iTunes here.

After tackling the layers hidden beneath the puzzle-filled surface of J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst’s S last year, the Gobbledy-Book Club returns to discuss The Martian by Andy Weir…and it’s a much simpler read, for better or worse. AJ and Paul are joined by So Let’s Get to the Point host (and Smoke Gets in Your Ears co-host) Kenn Edwards to talk the first six chapters of The Martian. The pros: the story of astronaut Mark Watney stranded on Mars is immediately engaging, it’s pretty damn funny, and it’s filled with tons of cool science. The cons: there’s a lot of science that might fly over heads, the tone is weirdly lighthearted, and Weir struggles a little with the switch from Mark’s POV to folks back home on Earth. Will this premise sustain a whole book? We’ll find out!

Next: Hallie Prime joins us to discuss chapters 7-12 of The Martian.

(Show notes for “The Martian: Part 1 – Martian, Martian, Martian!”)