by Andy Weir
Published 2011
Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead and left behind when his crew evacuates during a violent storm on the surface of Mars. He wakes up wounded but alive, alone on an uninhabited planet with limited food, a damaged habitat, and no way to tell Earth he survived. What he does have is a background in botany, a talent for engineering, and a stubborn refusal to give in to the obvious. Using scavenged gear, Martian soil, and a lot of improvisation, Watney sets out to stay alive long enough for someone, somewhere, to figure out he is still there. Andy Weir's 2011 debut began as a self-published blog and grew into a global bestseller on the strength of its razor-sharp technical detail and its protagonist's dry, profane, relentlessly good-humored voice. Part survival thriller, part love letter to engineering, The Martian turns a hostile planet into an absorbing series of solvable problems and makes a convincing case that the most valuable tool an explorer can carry is a sense of humor.
These are AI narrators you can listen to with your own EPUB on ElevenLabs or Fish Audio. How does it work?
Top voices for narrating this book
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Professional
“This voice offers a 'confident, energetic' read with a 'clear, trustworthy' delivery, suiting Watney's pragmatic scientific narration and underlying humor.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Upbeat
“This voice is explicitly described as 'energetic, upbeat' and 'lively' with an 'enthusiastic, engaging delivery', perfectly capturing Mark Watney's humor and resilience.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Confident
“The 'Excited and Energetic' nature of this voice, combined with its 'confident' trait, aligns well with Watney's resourceful and often upbeat narration despite his dire situation.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Confident
“While perhaps less overtly energetic, this voice's 'confident' and 'present' qualities could effectively convey Watney's scientific pragmatism and steadfast resolve.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
Mars Mission Director, a serious and dedicated leader under immense pressure to save Watney.
Male · Middle-Aged · Narration · Deep · Serious · Authoritative · +3 more
“Described as 'deep and authoritative... with a serious, measured tone' and a 'calm yet commanding presence', this voice is ideal for a serious and dedicated leader.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“The 'authoritative yet trustworthy presence' and traits like 'serious, confident, executive, masculine, gritty, calm' make this a strong fit for a leader under immense pressure.”
Also recommended for: Vincent Kapoor
Male · Old · Narration · Deep · Calm · Measured · +3 more
“This voice directly matches 'calm, measured, authoritative, serious', which are key traits for the dedicated and pressured Mars Mission Director.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“A 'calm, grounded' voice with 'measured pacing' and an 'authoritative' presence, suitable for a serious and composed leader like Mitch Henderson.”
Also recommended for: Vincent Kapoor
The NASA Administrator, a shrewd politician balancing rescue operations with public image and bureaucratic hurdles.
Male · Old · Narration · Educational · Deep · Calm · +3 more
“This voice's traits of 'old', 'calm, measured, professional, authoritative' are a perfect match for the shrewd and bureaucratic NASA Administrator.”
Male · Old · Narration · Educational · Authoritative · Calm · +3 more
“With traits like 'old', 'authoritative, calm, measured, professional', this voice is highly suitable for a leader balancing rescue operations with public image.”
Male · Old · Character-Voice · Narration · Calm · Measured · +4 more
“Its 'old', 'calm and authoritative' tone, coupled with 'measured, patient' delivery and a 'professional' demeanor, fits the NASA Administrator's character.”
NASA's sharp Public Relations Director, managing media and public perception with efficiency and a no-nonsense attitude.
Female · Middle-Aged · Narration · Professional · Warm · Clear · +3 more
“This voice is described as 'professional, warm tone and a clear, crisp delivery' with a 'confident' feel, perfectly embodying Annie's no-nonsense and efficient attitude.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Professional
“Its 'clear, professional, friendly, confident' traits make it an excellent match for NASA's sharp Public Relations Director.”
Also recommended for: Commander Melissa Lewis
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“This 'confident, professional American female voice with clear articulation' aligns well with Annie's decisive and professional character.”
Also recommended for: Commander Melissa Lewis
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“This voice is 'clear, firm' and has a 'calm, confident tone' suited for 'professional communication', fitting Annie's confident and professional demeanor.”
Also recommended for: Commander Melissa Lewis
Director of Mars Operations, a brilliant and calm scientist and engineer crucial to devising rescue plans.
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Professional
“Described as 'professional' and 'grounded in calm delivery', this voice is a strong fit for the composed and analytical scientist.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“The voice is explicitly 'Calm, Professional, masculine', directly matching key traits for the brilliant and calm Director of Mars Operations, and suited for non-fiction suggests analytic.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Deep
“This voice is 'deep, professional, and calm,' fitting for a brilliant scientist and engineer crucial to rescue plans.”
Also recommended for: Mitch Henderson
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“This 'calm, grounded American baritone' with 'measured pacing, clear diction' aligns well with Kapoor's professional, calm, and analytic nature.”
Also recommended for: Mitch Henderson
Commander of the Ares III mission, a strong and capable leader deeply burdened by leaving Watney behind.
Female · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Narration · Character-Voice · Social-Media · +58 more
“This voice matches 'professional, serious, confident, and authoritative,' perfectly embodying Commander Lewis's strong and capable leadership.”
Female · Middle-Aged · Conversational · Entertainment · Low · Educational · +56 more
“Sharing similar traits of 'professional, serious, confident, and authoritative,' this voice is well-suited for a commander burdened by responsibility but resolute.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Serious
“This voice is described as 'serious' and 'confident' with 'warmth and professionalism', capturing the strong, capable, and burdened leader.”
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“This 'confident, professional' voice with 'clear articulation' and a 'balanced tone' fits a serious and composed leader like Commander Lewis.”
Also recommended for: Annie Montrose
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“A 'clear, firm female voice with a calm, confident tone' is excellent for conveying the authority, seriousness, and confidence of Commander Lewis.”
Also recommended for: Annie Montrose
American · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Professional
“This 'clear, professional, friendly, confident and empathic woman' can portray her capable leadership while also hinting at the burden she carries.”
Also recommended for: Annie Montrose
An eccentric astrodynamicist whose brilliant calculations provide the key to a viable rescue mission.
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Wise
“Its 'Rugged, gravelly' and 'Intense' nature provides a unique texture that could convey Purnell's eccentricity and intense, focused personality.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Intense
“The 'intense' trait is perfect for Rich Purnell. The description 'calm and controlled on the surface, he carries a cold, intelligent menace underneath' strongly aligns with his dry, focused brilliance.”
American · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Intense
“This voice features 'deep, controlled intensity' and is described as 'heavy, deliberate, and immersive', fitting Purnell's intense focus and dry demeanor.”