Thursday 23 November 2017

Book Review | Artemis by Andy Weir


Jazz Bashara is a criminal.

Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you’re not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. So smuggling in the occasional harmless bit of contraband barely counts, right? Not when you've got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent.

Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But pulling off the impossible is just the start of her problems, as she learns that she's stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—and that now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit even riskier than the first.

***

It's been six years since Andy Weir became a self-publishing success story on the back of The Martian. A scientifically fastidious yet satisfying work of fiction that spoke of a stranded astronaut's struggle to survive on the ruthless red planet, it—and Ridley Scott's subsequent adaptation of said—made sci-fi fun for some; specifically for folks who had previously sneered at the genre for its seeming self-seriousness.

Those readers will be over the moon to hear that Artemis is, in its attention to technical detail and its prioritisation of play as the order of the day, The Martian's perfect partner, though more demanding fans of the form are likely to find it slight: derivative, dreadfully slow to start, and rather lacking in the heart department. But for better or for worse, Weir's new novel is in many ways more of the same problem-solving stuff that made him a household name.

In theory, at least, one of Artemis' most dramatic departures from The Martian is in its central character. Mark Watney was a Real America Hero: a white dude who did good. Jazz Bashara, on the other hand, is a young woman of Saudi Arabian descent who makes her living by breaking the law. This transparent flipping of scripts has little impact in practice, alas. While she might be a rule-breaker to begin with, Jazz is every inch the saviour before the book is through, just like her predecessor. And just as Watney was, for all intents and purposes, a man of Mars, Jazz, the hell with her heritage, is "a local gal. Grew up right here on the moon." The net effect of her gender, meanwhile, is that Weir seems to see it as a license to make altogether too many jokes about breasts and banging.

Needless to note, this is not sophisticated sci-fi. But to paraphrase Jazz, who likens the shining city the novel is named after to "a bunch of metallic boobs," Weir is clearly no poet—and he knows it. In truth, Artemis, "the first (and so far, only) city on the moon" does bear rather a resemblance. "It's made of five huge spheres called 'bubbles.' They're half underground, so Artemis looks exactly like old sci-fi books said a moon city should look: a bunch of domes. You just can't see the parts that are belowground."

It's in these nether regions that we find the story's hero-to-be. Jazz is "one of the little people" who eke out an existence in Artemis by doing the dirty jobs the "rich tourists and eccentric billionaires" that make up most of the city's population are unwilling to. As she herself has it in her distressingly on-the-nose narration, "you don't expect J. Worthalot Richbastard III to clean his own toilet, do you?"

Now Jazz isn't quite a skivvy. She's a porter who moves luggage and the like from point to point on her trusty steed, Trigger—one of several similarly frustrating subjects introduced early on, only to be ignored for the rest of the text. An honest job doesn't an honest wage make, unfortunately, so while she awaits her EVA certification, she smuggles some on the side. Just cigars and such, to start. But it's going to take a whole lot of illicit tobacco to rent a room more spacious than the coffin in "a grungy area fifteen floors underground in Conrad Bubble" that's all she can afford at the moment, never mind make a dent on the the debts Jazz has—not least to her decent, if disapproving father.

All that could change when one of Jazz's regular clients, telecoms giant Trond Landvik, asks her to sabotage Sanchez's harvesters: the machines that mine the moon's aluminium, creating the oxygen that keeps Artemis' inhabitants alive as a by-product in the process. A dastardly plan, I dare say—dastardly enough to get Jazz deported if she doesn't die trying to make it happen. Sensibly enough, she says no initially. "I was a smuggler, not a saboteur. And something smelled off about the whole thing." But when Trond offers her seven figures to ignore her nose, she agrees immediately.

Not a little predictably, the answer to all of Jazz's problems turns out to be the cause of an absolute catastrophe. Property is damaged; a cartel is antagonised; people die, damn it. It's only when shit has gone so sideways that even gravity's given up its grip that Jazz finally takes responsibility for her dubious decisions. She assembles a ragtag team to help save the city whose death warrant she just signed and delivers unto them this stirring speech:
"I am an asshole. But Artemis needs an asshole right now and I got drafted. [...] This moment—this moment right now—is where we decide what kind of city Artemis is going to be. We can either act now, or let our home degenerate into syndicate rule for generations. This isn't some theoretical scenario. They burned down a business. They murdered two people. There's a huge amount of money in play—they're not going to stop."
There are parts of Artemis—such as the set-piece this call to arms segues into—that recall the best and smartest chapters of The Martian, but these are few and far between, I'm afraid, and gathered oddly towards the end of the novel. First, the author has to create a couple of problems for Jazz to solve, but his focus in in the first half of the narrative is far too narrow. Rather than devoting some of this downtime to the worldbuilding that helped made his debut so memorable, Weir seems to shrug here. The titular city is familiar to begin with, and although it's nipped here and tucked there, it inherits more of an identity from similar settings in superior stories than it ever earns in its own right.

The setting, then, is hardly inspired. The characters, such as they are, are pleasant enough, but not very memorable. Like Mark Watney before her, Jazz faces "constant danger, poverty, anger, and worst of all, sheer, unmitigated fatigue" with a wink, a nod, and every now and then a descent into despair so roundly remedied that even these scenes start to feel cheap. Artemis' narrative is also nonsense: a weightless caper that relies on coincidence and contrivance.

This isn't a bad book by any means. But it isn't, in my view, a good book either. It's fun for a few hundred pages and almost tolerable in between times. Readers who utterly loved The Martian might quite like it, though folks who found Artemis' leaps-and-bounds-better predecessor to be less than perfect will have a harder time forgiving its various failings.

***

Artemis
by Andy Weir

UK Publication: November 2017, Del Rey
US Publication: November 2017, Crown

Buy this book from


Recommended and Related Reading

113 comments:

  1. I'm on a waiting list for this - I'll be interested to see if I agree iwth you. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  2. Andy Weir’s space program took us to the moon instead of mars this time. A fun story about a colonist, totally different than The Martian but really engaging. Jazz is quite an interesting person!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You made an article that is interesting.You are so amazing.

    ReplyDelete

  4. This are new articles style for you. เล่นบาคาร่า You can find some new idea on this. เล่นบาคาร่า It might help you to write or think some new idea.
    เล่นบาคาร่า Thanks for sharing such a wonderful post.
    เล่นบาคาร่า I am very glad for reading my articles.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This Is Really Useful And Nice Information. เล่นบาคาร่า
    This are such great articles. เล่นบาคาร่า This articles can help you to make some new ideas.
    เล่นบาคาร่า I appreciate for reading my blogs.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It may be a reward that is very small or even a lot, the origin will have only a small win or loss rate. But even if it gets a good isc888 สมัคร return or not Come together uninterrupted So it is the stop of the stage in our house that has to put paper or write on different ideas to play on the website, which is easier and more secure than that.

    ReplyDelete
  7. International News Thursday December 17, 2020 09:03 - InfoQuest News Agency (IQ)
    China Gold and Silver Exchange Association said. The price of gold at the Hong Kong market rose by HK $ 100 to open at HK $ 17,240 / tome today
    Xinhua news agency reported that The price is equivalent to US $ 2,224.52 at the latest exchange rate of USD 1 /7.75. Hong Kong Dollar ufa

    ReplyDelete
  8. ISC888 คาสิโนออนไลน์ พร้อมเกมให้เลือกเล่นมาก กว่า 200 เกม เราคัดสรร มาให้ลูกค้าทุกท่าน แล้ว วันนี้ คุณจะเพลิดเพลินไปกับเกมสล็อตออนไลน์หลากหลายรูปแบบ

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lsm99 online gambling website In hand-held form Open for service แทงบอลออนไลน์ Online casino, online slots, complete in one website, automatic deposit, automatic withdrawal, easy to play, open 24 hours.

    ReplyDelete
  10. betflix ศูนย์รวม เกมสล็อตออนไลน์ ที่คัดสรรมาอย่างดี
    คาสิโนออนไลน์ สล็อตออนไลน์ รวมแบรนด์ดังมากกว่า 10 แบรนด์ มาแรงเป็นอันดับต้นของไทย.

    ReplyDelete
  11. mgwin88 สล็อต ที่ๆ รวมเอาการเดิมพันออนไลน์มากมายหลายแบบเอาไว้ที่นี้ ประกอบไปด้วย การแทงบาส แทงหวย แทงมวย แทงบอล และคาสิโนออนไลน์ ระบบ ฝาก-ถอน ที่รวดเร็วทันใจและแอดมินที่จะคอยตอบและแก้ไขปัญหาต่างๆเพื่ออำนวยความสะดวกให้กับลูกค้าทุกท่านตลอด 24 ชั่วโมง

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sejumlah besar orang juga tidak mempedulikan sampo apa yang mereka gunakan. Banyak pula yang beli shampo bukan karena sesuai keperluan mereka, tetapi membeli karena sedang ada potongan harga dan lain-lain.

    Benar-benar tidak salah namun risikonya jika kamu terlalu sering mengganti-ganti sampo yang ada cuman akan membuat parah masalahmu. Seharusnya, https://tanamanberkhasiat.net/ gunakanlah shampo yang sama keadaan rambutmu agar rambutmu pun tidak terkejut untuk sesuaikan semua zat yang terdapat didalamnya.

    ReplyDelete
  13. ccleaner piriform download and then follow the instruction to install the ccleaner to your device it make your system better and fast. If ccleaner installer has stopped working then you can contact our tecnical experts to get instead help.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ive got to say, the layout alone made me come back to this web page again. But now that Ive read what youve got to say, Ive got to share it with the world!
    온라인경마
    경마사이트

    ReplyDelete
  15. Greetings to each one, it’s really a particular for me to visit this website page, it comprises of helpful Information. 토토

    ReplyDelete
  16. roadrunner tech support phone number. Out customer care specialist are available 24X7 for giving you full assistance related roadrunner that make your life ease and you can contact through clicking this link roadrunner technical support number.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I truly appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! 토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think this is one of the most significant information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The web site style is perfect, the articles is really great. Feel free to visit my website; 안전놀이터

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hello there! Nice article!!! But anyways here’s one of the trusted online baccarat site we can offer you so many promo and event everyday!! Good luck!!! Feel free to visit my website; 온라인카지노

    ReplyDelete
  20. Before Commenting, I wanna say thank you for providing this great information. I feel too good to read it this awesome blog. Keep sharing this type of content. Feel free to visit my website; 온라인카지노

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow, great article.Really looking forward to read more. 바둑이사이트넷

    ReplyDelete
  22. webgirls With regards to battling candida albicans, sufferers often have their function eliminate to them. Simply because candida albicans can easily become long-term and on-going. With that in mind, in the following paragraphs, we will existing a variety of some of the finest established yeast infection treatment and reduction suggestions close to.

    ReplyDelete
  23. https://gameeffect.xyz Lots of people have cherished this game of baseball for several years. You will find fans around the world, from devoted small-leaguers to pass away-tough spectators. This article has ideas to demonstrate how enjoyable baseball happens to be.

    ReplyDelete
  24. https://gamezoom.xyz Getting a workout partner can drastically improve your muscle-constructing effects. Your spouse might be a valuable source of enthusiasm for adhering to your workout session, and pushing one to maximize your endeavours as you exercise. Developing a reliable spouse to work through with will also help keep you secure since you will usually use a spotter.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thanks for such a valuable post. I am waiting for your next post, I have enjoyed a lot reading this post keep it up.
    바카라사이트

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am thankful for the article post.Looking forward to visit more.
    plex tv link

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am continually amazed by the amount of information available on this subject. What you presented 토토
    was well researched and well worded

    ReplyDelete
  28. When I read an article on this topic, casinocommunity the first thought was profound and difficult, and I wondered if others could understand.. My site has a discussion board for articles and photos similar to this topic. Could you please visit me when you have time to discuss this topic?

    ReplyDelete
  29. Access to play online slots with AMB easily, just by signing up. Apply now and receive an instant bonus of 30 - 50%. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  30. real prize Be it bonuses, free games or general rewards. You will find many rewards. ambbet

    ReplyDelete
  31. This is a very interesting writing. Thank you for posting a lot of good comments.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Playing slots that have to set a clear playing budget because slot games are gambling games that are easy to play, fun to play if there is no clear budget to play. superslot

    ReplyDelete
  33. Open a new experience with the most amazing pg slot.
    I must say that the game is the strongest. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  34. Eliminate the problem of waiting for admins Make transactions anytime, without interruption. บาคา

    ReplyDelete
  35. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Just press SCAN QR CODE to access slot games easily. along with our admin welcome pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  37. You can play here 24 hours a day, especially the most popular games. like online slot games that you can choose to play pgslot เว็บตรง

    ReplyDelete
  38. And we also have a deposit-withdrawal service that will be as fast as the lightning of the gods. ตารางคะแนน

    ReplyDelete
  39. . Which inspired him to open the game Hoo Hey How (Hoo Hey How) in his casino. And the positive feedback made his business flourish again. ambbet

    ReplyDelete
  40. pgslot Anyone with low capital can play with no minimum. Can access quickly to heart with automation. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  41. Roma Slot Game Review, Free Trial, No Minimum Deposit, Free Trial Slot XO Welcome ข่าวบอล

    ReplyDelete
  42. Today's online slots games have things. that attracts players who come to play in The direct website does not go through our agents. pgslot เว็บตรง

    ReplyDelete
  43. Online slots games on mobile phones, top up, withdraw via automatic system, deposit-withdraw in 5 seconds only. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  44. For customers who are interested in the game and want the most popular online slot games. amb

    ReplyDelete
  45. Use the service, try to play slots. Free model, no cost You don't need to be a member to play. ambbet

    ReplyDelete
  46. I like your all post. You have done really good work. Thank you for the information you provide, it helped me a lot. I hope to have many more entries or so from you.
    Very interesting blog.
    VMware Workstation Pro Crack
    HMA Pro VPN Crack
    FIFA Crack
    Lantern Pro Crack
    LetaSoft Sound Booster Crack
    Nicepage Crack
    Movavi Video Editor Plus Crack
    Football Manager Crack
    HitPaw Watermark Remover Crack
    TapinRadio Crack

    ReplyDelete
  47. Can play in a variety of places with all popular game camps Top 1 slots game All over the country, deposit 10, get the latest 100 pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  48. Free credit is another important technique for playing online slots games. But that you can win at online slots games. ambbet

    ReplyDelete
  49. craft strength Any amateur player can strengthen their skill. by playing slots more often jili slot

    ReplyDelete
  50. time, and for making money, if you do not know what time to choose to suit yourself today, pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  51. At present, there are many entrances. We are a direct website, so we recommend the entrance. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  52. The service has been open for a long time. There are online slots games for you to choose from, such as a variety of games. pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  53. Must choose a website that is moving and is updated with new promotions all the time that we can actually visit the website as well. slotxo

    ReplyDelete
  54. Your blog has helped me a lot.
    Please also visit my blog to get the information you need.
    토토사이트

    ReplyDelete
  55. บริการเกมสล็อตออนไลน์ปี 2022 เกมให้เลือกเล่นมากกว่า 1,000 เกม โปรฝาก10รับ100 สล็อตเล่นผ่านเว็บ ก็ได้เช่นกัน สมัครเล่น SLOT สล็อตออนไลน์ superslot.li

    ReplyDelete
  56. And it is also the center of the world's leading slot games. There is also a deposit and withdrawal system. pgslot เว็บตรง

    ReplyDelete
  57. current in spinning with the camp of online slots games that will be considered That is very strong and in this era that continues and still slotxo

    ReplyDelete
  58. single mobile phone then access to the center of online slot games The largest in Thailand on the PG168 web easily. Guarantee that our web page is designed to answer. ดูบอลออนไลน์

    ReplyDelete
  59. Slots. Who would have thought that coming in to play gambling games? In addition to what most pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  60. modern technology system The advantages of playing the web
    web deposit-withdrawal system สล็อต

    ReplyDelete
  61. Here, there are real payouts that go along with the fun of playing. which if someone is still attached to making the same money ดูทีวีออนไลน์

    ReplyDelete
  62. large, which increases winnings That doubles the multiplier for this symbol. Join us at PG SLOT ambslot

    ReplyDelete
  63. Deposit-withdraw TRUE WALLET, no minimum, online betting website at the most gambling games in Thailand สล็อต

    ReplyDelete
  64. Liga, Ligue 1, L L Show, Premier League, high.. Bundesliga, Liga, lemongrass, lemongrass, in-depth analysis, analysis In- ดูทีวีออนไลน์

    ReplyDelete
  65. great promotions. given to many more players which can be contacted via line@, which will have a pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  66. And facilities 24 hours a day, players do not have to worry about safety.welcome pgslot เว็บตรง

    ReplyDelete
  67. want because now online slots have developed the system Support to play on mobile, download PG SLOT onto mobile phone, can play both pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  68. Top-up can be done through many channels such as True Wallet, True Money, Prompt Play, and leading banks. ตารางคะแนน

    ReplyDelete
  69. slotxo with betting games that can make money to more players with new slot games like roma slots Popular slot games AMBKING

    ReplyDelete
  70. La Free Trial can enterLa Free Trial can enterLa Free Trial can enterLa Free Trial can enter ดูบอลออนไลน์

    ReplyDelete
  71. There is a limit to bet with online slots games.

    knowing your own limit It is one of the most effective ways to play online slots. Every bettor should know their limits. ดูบอลออนไลน์

    ReplyDelete
  72. I have to say that the website is very strong in 2022 that bettors should choose to play. superslot

    ReplyDelete
  73. Winbig Slot, a web slot straight from here, will help you get the most secure in this era. convenient and fast in terms of services provided สล็อต

    ReplyDelete
  74. online football betting online sports betting In addition to the various casino games mentioned above. can also choose to bet on the ball slotxo

    ReplyDelete
  75. You can click to start playing immediately. Getting started is very easy. In one room, there will be players can choose to bet on 5 legs which will pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  76. casino website is that web agent The chance that the gambler will be cheated or deceived is very amb

    ReplyDelete
  77. betting on football online sports wagering online Along with the other casino games described above. can decide to wager on the ball as well. if yuo want some visit my site. Free Download For PC

    ReplyDelete
  78. Pilih situs terpercaya untuk main casino online, yaitu OLE777, yang memberikan banyak kemudahan dan keunggulan https://www.weprinciples.org/ole777casino/

    ReplyDelete
  79. My name is Karina, I'm someone who has lived a life seemingly in the background, I must say this final indignity I have suffered almost too much to endure. You see, I have been sickly and weak since the day I was born and doomed to go through my life weakling. I seemed to have always suffered from one illness or another and could never play with the other children as I so desperately wanted to. Mother always made such a big fuss over me, also, making the situation worse as the other boys teased me mercilessly after they saw it. I was browsing the internet searching on how I could be transformed into a powerful person when I came across the email of a man named Lord Mark. who was a VAMPIRE so I told him that I has always dreamed about of becoming a VAMPIRES, All i did was just to follow the procedure that i was been told, and I bet you that procedure I took change my entire life to something i ever desire, freedom, sickness free, pains free, fame, influence, connections and even more that i can. Thanks to Lord Mark. Do you want a life full of interesting things? Do you want to have power and influence over others? To be charming and desirable? To have wealth, health, and longevity? contact the vampires creed today via email: Vampirelord7878@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. which ensures that every round played is completely random and fair. This piece of software pgslot

    ReplyDelete
  81. Pero nunca fue rentable. La forma en que el jugador realmente lo quiere una vez, así que no intentes usar este modo para jugar con recompensas. ดูบอลออนไลน์

    ReplyDelete
  82. Thanks for sharing this amazing .i was enjoyed by reading . I value the time you spent reading up on the subject and offering insightful analysis. Estate Planning Lawyer

    ReplyDelete
  83. I found myself in a very tragic situation sometime past. My account was hacked. I tried several methods I could find online to retrieve it back but to all dead ends. All efforts seemed wasted as much as i tried. I was so devastated. Fortunate enough, I came across a thread online with some great reviews about a tech guy called Sean. All comments on how he was able to get into the accounts they needed was so appealing thus, made it of a great interest. I'm a very skeptical person though, so i felt kind of reluctant about it at first but had no other option, (having realized all that I've already lost) so i decided to just give it a try, after all, I've got nothing else to loose. I did contact him, Lo and behold, he was absolutely able to deliver the service paid for. He got into the account on that same very faithful day without any hassle. It was such an astounding experience. Indeed, there's nothing impossible with God.
    You can contact him also for any kind of recovery if it pleases you to and i bet, you'll testify of it's difference.

    Here is his mailing address: Sean_recovery@cyber-wizard.com
    Wishing you the very best.

    ReplyDelete
  84. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  85. Very good article! We will be linking to this great content on our site. Keep up the good writing. If you are a students and belong to canberra and looking for assignment help then BookMyEssay is the best platform to provides Assignment Help In Canberra.

    ReplyDelete
  86. "Artemis" by Andy Weir is a thrilling lunar adventure that combines scientific detail with a gripping heist plot. Weir's witty and resourceful protagonist, Jazz Bashara, navigates the challenges of life on the Moon's first city while getting caught up in a daring scheme. With its vivid world-building and clever problem-solving, "Artemis" is a must-read for fans of science fiction and suspense. Reckless Driving Charge in Virginia

    ReplyDelete
  87. Thank you for sharing this informative post! I found it really helpful.
    Respuesta verificada Divorcio Nueva York

    ReplyDelete
  88. I really enjoyed reading the book review of "Artemis" by Andy Weir. It's an excellent breakdown of the story. And for fellow bookworms looking to dive into more captivating reads, keeping an eye out for doubledownpromocodes could lead to discounts on books and literary adventures. Thanks for the thoughtful

    ReplyDelete
  89. تقدم شركة اركان الشامل خدمات النظافة في الدمام. شركة تنظيف بالدمام

    ReplyDelete
  90. يعتبر العزل الجيد للمواسير ضروريًا للحفاظ على نظام المياه في منازلنا.عزل مواسير المياه

    ReplyDelete
  91. شركة النور تقدم خدمة تسليك المجاري بالضغط في الدمام
    شركة تسليك مجاري بالضغط بالدمام

    ReplyDelete
  92. pg ดีที่สุดเกมออนไลน์ PG SLOT สล็อตบนโทรศัพท์เคลื่อนที่ แบบใหม่ตอนนี้ ของโลก สมัครเล่น SLOT วันนี้รับโบนัส แรกเข้า 100% ในทันทีทันใด โบนัส 50% สำหรับสมาชิกใหม่

    ReplyDelete