For as long as I can remember, scientists, politicians, and large corporations have gone back and forth about how to best respond to climate change. The scientific community is at a consensus that Earth's temperature is rising at an alarming rate due in a large part to human-induced emissions and greenhouse gasses. Despite most agreeing that this is a problem, no one seems to be able to agree on how to resolve it. In Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir imagines a climate catastrophe that makes our struggle with global warming pale in comparison. In his signature style, Weir writes of the last-ditch attempt to reverse the extinction of the human race, an effort that will take all of mankind coming together to save themselves.
To say the situation that Ryland Grace finds himself in is completely alien to him would be both an understatement and about as accurate as you can get. As we first meet him, the public school science teacher is as in the dark about his predicament as we are. Grace has just awakened from a deep sleep. He's connected to various tubes and wires, each leading to machines that hum and beep quietly in the background. Moving his body is a chore. Dr. Grace aches with each attempt to lift himself from his bed and take in his surroundings. He sees two other beds that appear similar to his own, though neither of the others is connected to any monitoring devices.
As his physical strength grows, so does his mental capacity. He can see now that the two other beds contain the lifeless bodies of two people, though Grace doesn't recognize either of them. More alarming is what lies outside of this room, a vast blackness that both mystifies and startles him. You see, Dr. Ryland Grace is in outer space. The only problem is that he has no idea how he got here or what he is supposed to do next.
After enjoying Andy Weir's previous novel Artemis, I was excited to accept an offer from his publisher to review Project Hail Mary. Weir is best known for his breakout hit The Martian, and this novel sees him continue to combine his scientific expertise with a compelling story and witty dialogue. The main character's amnesia adds to the mystery of his situation. Weir alternates chapters of the past on earth with the present in space, allowing us to discover the motivations of his character without sacrificing any of the suspense of his current predicament.
Both of Weir's previous works were the kind of sci-fi that is rooted firmly in a plausible reality. Project Hail Mary asks us to suspend disbelief a bit too much for my taste, taking the story into several eye roll-inducing moments. As the story progressed, things got more and more far-fetched, taking me out of the reality that the first portion of the novel so successfully built. By that point, however, I was so invested in seeing the story of this character through that I couldn't help but keep reading. To that end then, Project Hail Mary is ultimately a story of one man tasked with carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. It is through the power of this one character that everything else filters through, ultimately making the novel an endearing, if a bit uneven, read.
For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2021, 19)
I haven't read this one yet, but I do have it on hold at my library. Apparently, it's very popular because there are 70 people ahead of me on the hold list. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're in for a treat with this one!
DeleteThat sounds like it would make for an interesting movie too. I like the sound of this. I can't imagine being in such a predicament.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember reading that Ryan Gosling has signed on to be in a movie version.
DeleteHmm, I'm still looking forward to listening to it....
ReplyDeleteIt should make for a great listen!
DeleteI loved The Martian. The audio was fantastic and the movie was pretty good for an adaptation. I haven't picked up his last book and I'm still on the fence about this one. I've seen mixed reactions.
ReplyDeleteIt was my least favorite of his books. I think you just have to approach it as a pretty fun popcorn kind of read.
DeleteThis is an interesting premise - and I am absolutely busting to know why and how he got on the ship!
ReplyDeleteIf you can look past the silliness of a lot of this one, the suspense is well earned.
DeleteI never even read The Martian! I should read this
ReplyDeleteI definitely recommend Weir's writing!
DeleteI thought that The Martian was just okay so I haven't read any other books by this author. I am not sure about this one. I have a feeling that I would have a few issues with it since you said it seemed far fetched at times.
ReplyDeleteIf you didn't really enjoy The Martian, you'd probably feel pretty similar about this one.
DeleteI have this on audio, I loved the Martian and Artemis on audio as well. Good to know this becomes a little far fetched, but glad you were invested.
ReplyDeleteI think the audio will be a fun listen!
DeleteMy publisher just bought this one for the readers in my country, but I don't think I will be translating it!
ReplyDeleteThis isn't my kind of read, but my husband (who doesn't read much fiction) is reading it right now and LOVING it. Glad you liked it overall.
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