Andy Weir Reveals Plot Details for His Next Novel
We knew that Andy Weir was hard at work on another novel, but we knew next-to-nothing about it. Now, the acclaimed author of The Martian has revealed that he is, indeed, writing another space opera, this time taking place on the Moon rather than Mars:
This sounds incredibly interesting, and it will be refreshing to see a woman as the lead character in a mainstream hard science fiction novel (and then a movie, probably). When asked whether he was trying to engage with the ongoing culture wars within science fiction and fantasy right now, Weir said that he was simply trying to write a complex character:
I would argue that every decision an author makes is political, whether they intend it or not, but that makes this development all the more positive. It's also revealing that the social dynamics in this book's world will be significantly different, as opposed to the world of The Martian, which was set several decades in the future but still completely recognizable as our own.
Weir also discussed the future of space travel, and stated that he thought commercial space travel is "the path forward," as SpaceX is already providing lower-cost boosters for rockets. Once that technology is cheap enough, he says, the primary technology needed to reach Mars will be inflatable spaceships and artificial gravity for long-term spaceflight.
"The book is another scientifically accurate story," Weir told Smithsonian Magazine. "The main character is a low-level criminal in a city on the moon. Her challenges are a mix of technical/scientific problems, as well as juggling personal interactions-staying a step ahead of the local police, working with shady and dangerous people to do illegal things."
This sounds incredibly interesting, and it will be refreshing to see a woman as the lead character in a mainstream hard science fiction novel (and then a movie, probably). When asked whether he was trying to engage with the ongoing culture wars within science fiction and fantasy right now, Weir said that he was simply trying to write a complex character:
"I don't take part in any political debates. So I'm certainly not trying to make a point by having a female lead. She's just a character I came up with that I thought was cool, so she's the lead...
She doesn't encounter any distinctly 'female' challenges. There's no love plot. And the story takes place in a future society where there is practically no sexism."
She doesn't encounter any distinctly 'female' challenges. There's no love plot. And the story takes place in a future society where there is practically no sexism."
I would argue that every decision an author makes is political, whether they intend it or not, but that makes this development all the more positive. It's also revealing that the social dynamics in this book's world will be significantly different, as opposed to the world of The Martian, which was set several decades in the future but still completely recognizable as our own.
Weir also discussed the future of space travel, and stated that he thought commercial space travel is "the path forward," as SpaceX is already providing lower-cost boosters for rockets. Once that technology is cheap enough, he says, the primary technology needed to reach Mars will be inflatable spaceships and artificial gravity for long-term spaceflight.
We need to abandon the idea of long-term zero-g habitation. It doesn't work. There's no way we'd be able to have astronauts spend eight months in zero-g and then be effective on Mars's gravity the day they land. We need to accept this and move on. It's time for us to seriously work on space stations with artificial gravity. Make them spin."
