Artemis Book Club Questions
Welcome to the Buddy Book Club – we have a light-hearted comedic podcast that covers a variety of books. Artemis by Andy Weir David Benioff is a 2017 science fiction book by Andy Weir (of The Martian and Project Hail Mary fame). Artemis takes place about 60 years in the future following Jazz a smuggler that lives on the moon. A futuristic, science backed thriller. This book was very similar to Andy Weirs other books (which we’ve read as well), but this one definitely is not as well received.
We did a full breakdown of Artemis on our podcast episode. The episode had the Buddies discussing ‘Ocean 11 crews coming together’, space vacations, uncomfortable sex puns, the ‘moral’ economics of smuggling, and much more in this cathartic episode 6. So check it out if you’re interested.
Our book club questions try to be a little more outside the box/comedic than your typical book club questions – hopefully you enjoy them.
Book Club Discussion Questions – Artemis by Andy Weir
-> Svoboda invents a reusable condom, which begs the question… why? Do condoms cost that much? The whole point of disposing of the condom is that you’re filled with guilt and shame, why would you ever need/want to meticulously clean it? Is this the worst futuristic invention ever?
I hope in 2080 they’ll have figured out something a bit better than a reusable condom. Plus, as Austin Powers said, only sailors use condoms.
-> What did you think of Jazz as a character? Everyone tells her she’s the most talented person, the smartest person, the best looking person, but she kinda of seems like the opposite of a likeable person? Do you agree or disagree?
She’s the super talented person that just coasts by on her smarts and talent but doesn’t work hard. Not super likeable traits.
-> Would you pay $10k to vacation on the moon? We both agreed it’d take millions of dollars to be convinced to head up to the moon.
No alcohol, shitty food, 4-second internet lag, no hospital. Sounds like a nightmare vacation.
-> Jazz imports super flammable noise-canceling material to the cramped poor quarters. Seems like she’s putting everyone in danger for her personal needs. Why can’t she use her chemistry skills to create non-flammable noise canceling material?
Once again Jazz making selfish decisions and not being super smart or a character you want to root for.
-> Jazz claims she’s the best smuggler because she beats prices and doesn’t let drugs in. So that just means that someone else has to be bringing drugs in right and making way more money than her? Is she actually a good smuggler?
A smuggler with morals is going to not be great at their job.
-> There is a part in the book that is a ‘crew assembly scene’ straight out of movies like Ocean’s Eleven. We love these types of scenes in movies. Only problem for this one is that Jazz doesn’t explain the plan, just asks if they’re in. Seems like a bit anti-climatic, how would you have made this better?
Maybe explain why the crew is loyal to her or have Jazz give some details at least?
-> Through Jazz’s actions, she has created deadly chloroform that is pumped into the city’s air supply and likely going to kill thousands of people. Jazz takes the time out to tell Dale she forgives her for stealing her boyfriend 2 years ago. Who is worse the person that stole someone’s boyfriend 2 years ago or the person who is about to kill thousands of people?
Jazz really is the worst.
-> Jazz describes her burn scars: “I looked like a leper or a hooker who gave hand jobs to lepers.” Funny or sick?
I chuckled at this one.
-> Jazz tells Lena (who can’t walk): “Step by step.” (as pointed out by Dman on our clip here). Is Jazz into dark comedy or completely oblivious?
Shameful Jazz, shameful.
-> Does this book over-glorify welding? It was almost written like welding was like composing jazz music. Are we just haters or does this book vastly overhype welding skills?
I get is a physically demanding job, but it’s not an art form.
-> Should Jazz have died at the end?
I think sacrificing herself at the end would have been a much better ending.
-> How did you grade this book? If you couldn’t tell from our questions, we had the graded pretty low. How many stars/Buddies are you giving it out of 5?
This would land in the 1-2 Buddy range for us.
-> Who would you cast in a movie version of this book?
We cast TV & Movies in our Make it a Movie section, check it out.
