Monday, February 15, 2016

The Story Behind "The Martian" And "The Revenant"



Andrew Weir wrote the novel, "The Martian" which was made into the movie starring Matt Damon. Do you know the story behind the book being published? 

Andrew Weir wrote his novel,  "The Martian" and took great pains to be scientifically accurate in his story. (Note: I happened to look it up, and the first food grown in space was ...potatoes!)  Unable to find a publisher, he had it as a free serial on his website.  Many of his readers asked that he put it on Amazon Kindle.  He did so, offering it for 99 cents (the lowest price that is allowed.) It then made the Kindle bestsellers list!  After that, he was contacted by a literary agent and sold the rights to Crown Publishing Group.   Good thing he didn't give up on his book!

Another movie that is out now is "The Revenant" starring Leonardo DiCaprio.  (And I must point out that two of the other main actors in this movie are English....Tom Hardy and Will Poulter.)  The story involves Hugh Glass (played by DiCaprio) and John Fitzgerald and Jim Bridger (portrayed by Hardy and Poulter.)   In 1823 in the wild western frontier of America, Hugh Glass was attacked by a bear and was grievously wounded.  Fitzgerald and Bridger were to remain with Glass and to give him a proper burial.  The men dug a shallow grave and put Glass into it and left him for dead.  Hugh Glass survived and tracked the men down.  (Can't give away too many details of the book or movie!)
Now, the book behind this movie?  I also find this very interesting...The book "The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge" is by Michael Punke, first published in 2002. You won't see him promoting his book on any TV talk show or on any book tour.  Do you know why? Michael Punke is not only  a writer, but he is also a policy analyst, policy consultant, attorney and currently the Deputy United States Trade Representative and US Ambassador to the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland!
Because of his federal position, Mr. Punke is not allowed to promote the book in any way, and this is why you do not see him or hear from him!  Doesn't mean he is not making money from his book, it just means he can't talk about it! He wrote the novel when he was working as an attorney, he would be in the office by 5am and would work for three hours on his book before his work-day began. He got the idea for the book when he read a few sentences from a history book while he was on an airplane and was intrigued of the story of Hugh Glass and his quest to find those who had deserted him. 

Now, have you read these books or seen the movies?  Richard and I saw the movie, "The Martian" this past weekend and we enjoyed it.   I have not seen "The Revenant" yet and I might see it, but only if I can see it on the small screen...some of the violence might be a bit much for me at the movies. I am such a wimp! I am glad I didn't have to survive alone on Mars or in the Wild West of America!

Potatoes in England!


27 comments:

  1. Didn't go to "The Martian" but I saw "The Revenant" which was mainly filmed here in Alberta and BC. I hope the bear doesn't beat out Leo for the Oscar. That would be the last straw!

    Fascinating info about the two books behind these movies -- thanks!

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    1. I think the bear should win! :-)
      Glad you found the info interesting too, you know we think alike!

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  2. Do you follow Yorkshire Pudding's blog? He reviewed "The Revenant" in January. You can read his post here. Especially the last comment is interesting!
    As for food in space - I know there have been (and possibly still are) peas being grown aboard the ISS. But I didn't know potatoes were the very first food to be grown in space :-)

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    1. Thanks for the link, I read his post. I can't say that this movie would be a must-see for me, I just found the story behind the book interesting.
      Potatoes first grown in space in 1995, something between NASA and the University of Wisconsin.

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  3. I watched the Martian at the weekend and really enjoyed it. The DVD came with a free copy of the book and I'm tempted to read that too - which shows it was a good film or I'd just move on. The thing that made me laugh though was the insert in the DVD - it was an advert for Albert Bartlet potatoes!! X

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    1. Oh Julie, I LOVE that you have told me this, can't tell you how much!! That is a great idea to have a free copy of the book along with the DVD. America might copy that idea but it will probably take about 20 years. LOL! AND an advert for potatoes in the DVD? That is typical British to me, just a perfect touch! :-)

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  4. I'v seen The Revenant. You know, it's one of the most violent movie I'v ever seen. If I knew, I wouldn't see it in the cinema.

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    1. Oh yes, I thought so. It would not be my type of movie at all but I found it interesting of the story behind the books from which the movies were made.
      You know the movies made by Quentin Tarentino? Can't stand them, don't care how popular he is.

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  5. That is actually a great way to write a book, stay in your day job and write on the side until you become famous enough to quit! The idea of being buried that way is horrifying.

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    1. I found it interesting, the thought of writing very early and keeping with it until the book was finished.

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  6. The back history on the books was interesting. I read The Martian and really enjoyed it, haven't read the Revenant nor seen either movie.

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    1. I love that Andy Weir believed in his book enough to offer it for FREE in the hopes that others would find it and love it!

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  7. Thanks for sharing the background. The book went from 99 cents to a movie, WOW!

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    1. I know, John, and I haven't seen anyone mention this on any blog or website that I have seen, and yet, the info is right there in the information about the author!

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  8. You have allowed me to learn yet again. Thank you.

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    1. Thanks! I find little tidbits about people very interesting, glad you do too!

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  9. I haven't read - or heard of before this post - either book, but they sound interesting, and the films sound good too! xx

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    1. Hey Amy! The films have been been nominated for different awards, and I found the story of the publication of both books interesting.

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  10. I saw the Martian on the plane home at Christmas time and actually surprised myself by liking it LOL

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    1. Oh! You have reminded me of two movies that I watched in October on the long flight back to Georgia..."Far From The Madding Crowd" and "A Royal Night Out". I enjoyed them so much!

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  11. Interesting info on the books. Not seen either film yet but both are on my list to watch when they make it to DVD.

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    1. I prefer watching movies on DVD now also. And they come out so quickly on DVD now, you don't have to wait too long now, do you?

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  12. I've not read or seen "The Martian" but I am reading Revenant right now. When I find time for reading. It's cool he tried to make Martian so accurate. I do enjoy reaing the stories behind some books. Like how JK Rowling was denied many times before someone finally took a chance on her. There was another author whose name I'm forgetting right now. Her friends pooled their money together and gave her a year's worth of her wages so she could quit her job and focus on writing.

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    1. Oh, I love that you are reading "The Revenant" now!
      Did you know about the author, that with his high Federal position he is not allowed to discuss his book?
      And JK Rowling, I remember when they said she surpassed the Queen in wealth! :-)

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  13. I could cope with The Martian but definitely not with The Revenant.

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  14. We saw The Martian and loved it. Art is reading the book now. I borrowed it from our local library overdrive for my Kindle. I thought Matt Damon was excellent.

    I wrote a review for Revenant on my blog a while ago. Leonardo was truly amazing and would deserve that oscar. I had to close my eyes for many of the parts. It was seriously grisly.

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    1. I am just like you, I close my eyes when I can't take something in a movie, it works out very well for me!

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