The Terranauts

Based on a true story (cue Google frenzy), this novel tells the story of the experiment of the Mission 2 Terranauts: eight scientists who desperately believe in the mission of living for 2 years in an enclosed full ecosystem in Arizona. The experiment is to show that Earth could be replicated in other places, e.g. Mars. However, this experiment becomes one that is much less about science and much more about close group dynamics as the cult-like belief in the mission grinds up against serious health concerns, romantic and sexual relationships, and just general differences of opinion. It's like taking your colleagues and putting them in a Lord of the Flies situation — relationships that might have been tense otherwise get so tense that they snap.

This book was interesting and super easy to read. I enjoyed the way that each chapter switched narrators, but found it a bit strange that it cycled between just three people. Some characters were very underdeveloped and I can't say I totally believe their motivations. I really did not like the stereotypes that it played into, the women being obsessed with their appearances and violently jealous of each other to the point that they can't form meaningful friendships, and men being incredibly surface-level and obsessed with sex.

Overall, it was an easy read about a weird blip in history I knew nothing about, but the flaws in character development were frustrating.