Wonder if Betty's still reading the book? Just to let her know, the graphic language continues throughout the book and accelerates toward the end. I am so used to it from seeing today's movies that I didn't even notice it. It's such a great book that it would be worth it anyway.

After my shock at the F-word at the very beginning I have continued reading and find that it comes out of the mouth of both male and female characterst. After getting used to seeing it, I believe that the author is using it to jolt the reader into entering their astronautical culture. But at the same time, I question it's use. Kurt Vonnegut said: "Being a writer allowed me to edit myself into someone resembling an intelligent person." Those F-words might show a lack of desire to use a more educated language. However, Mark is quite good at telling a story filled with very technical details and at holding the interest of people with very little scientific knowledge. He is very sophisticated in the use of technical terms and descriptions of his efforts. I am enjoying the book greatly now that I am about halfway through, and it holds my interest because of the struggle of the hero against all odds even though I believe I already know what the ending will be like. I am interested in how he makes use of all his training to escape death. BTO

Hmm, well I thought Mark's language was quite appropriate, F bombs and all .. he is stuck on Mars with very little chance off survival so firing off a few foul curses is understandable ... if the author had not had Mark utter a few choice words I would have found this unrealistic. I don't think it reflected lack of intelligence on the part of Mark or lack of intelligent writing by the author. I'm glad you pointed out that the female characters swore a few times too, its too easy to label males as the prime users of bad language, I don't think its a fair in our modern world. I agree that the author wants us to move into the astronaut culture, warts and all. I like your Kurt Vonnegut quote, he's one of my favourite authors!