Today I’m reviewing the book Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. We read it in my book club. It’s the first sci-fi book we have read since I joined the club, so it was a nice change of pace (although some of our club members didn’t like it for that reason). Spoiler Alerts!
I enjoyed this book. It was easy to get into, and it captured my attention from the beginning. The plot was so creative, with the idea of alien life as small as an amoeba, as well as all the challenges experienced along the journey.
I loved Rocky. If a book has an alien, it’s nice to have one that isn’t the traditional green men. He had a sense of humor which made me laugh out loud several times. Comic relief was well done. I can’t imagine how an entire species can be so technologically advanced without any eyesight. I thought that was a bit of a stretch. I was trying to imagine what he might look like, so I look forward to seeing the movie that’s supposed to come out next year, and see how they imagine him. The difference in their atmosphere versus Earth was very interesting as well.
I enjoyed the interjection of the backstory as Grace’s memory was coming back. How he went from a coward to one courageous dude.
Several times in the book I predicted what was coming next. The what if’s… what if Taumoeba get into the fuel holder? And it happened. What if it happens to Rocky? Which of course it did. I did not predict, however, that Ryland would choose to stay on Erid in the end. It makes sense, though, as his one true friend lives there. I wanted to know what happened to earth, all those years later, so not knowing was a bit of a disappointment. Coming back after all that time had lapsed could have been interesting, but I understood why the author chose the ending he did.
I was glad they saved both planets. Whew, we can live another day.
Also, what about Stratt? She was a very interesting character. I can’t imagine the world giving one person on Earth so much power. And the others who found a way to use the alien Astrophage to fuel the ship. Again, brilliant creativity. Our world unified to conquer a common threat…that’s a nice idea. Unity is certainly a nice idea. I wish our planet was more unified than it is.
I would have liked an answer to the question, How did Grace’s crew die?” We know how Rocky’s crew died, which is interesting in itself. Why not his? After all, he is the main character.
The drawing of the Hail Mary and his extensive description makes you feel like it could actually exist; however, the science talk was a bit much for me. I was impressed with the author’s knowledge about it all, though. I would probably read it again.
I rated it an 8.5.
Here’s what my book club had to say about it.
“Seven of us gathered to discuss Project Hail Mary by Andrew Weir this afternoon. Several of us who do not like Sci-Fi were shocked at how much they liked the book. Several did not care for all the science detail and skipped it or got bored with it. But we all loved the friendship of Ryland and Rocky. We all described what we thought Rocky, Ryland and also Stratt looked like while reading the book. Pat shared with us how Rocky sounded on the audio book. We had several good laughs regarding the 2 scientists and how they freely explained they were having sexual intercourse and how often. Stratt bossing everyone around and getting everything she wants. How Ryland is drugged to go on the mission. How Rocky ate? YUK!!! And wondered how they will and if they’ll show it in the movie. Rocky having Ryland watch him sleep. Our discussion was a lot of fun with this book. We appreciated how Ryland was so humble and yet brilliant. We all agreed that it was a good ending and he would never go back to Earth. Besides us seven, 2 other remotely rated the book and it was rated 8.9.”
À la prochaine…hasta la próxima vez…until next time!
