Written by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary follows Dr. Grace as he finds himself on a spaceship trying to save Earth.
Overall thoughts?
Jo: I loved this book, y’all. It was mysterious and relatable and I’m a sucker for an adorable alien sidekick. I was very reluctant to sit down and read this book despite the hype, but I appreciated the science based part of this sci-fi book. Andy Weir has really set himself apart from other sci-fi writers as someone who pulls on the heartstrings through great writing and not leaning on romance or absurdities to get to the point.
Southern: This book was so, amazingly well written, approachable, and I adored Dr. Grace! Rocky was fantastic, and an unexpected surprise given the Martian and loneliness. Definitely worth the hype.
What was your least favorite part of the book?
Jo: I struggled with the very beginning. It took about a chapter to get into the narrative and really understand what was going on. I appreciated the science, and the slow reveal of the past through Dr. Grace’s memories, but the beginning of the book really throws the reader in the deep end where you have to adapt to the world, the character, and the situation.
Southern: The beginning was difficult for me to get into as well, and once I looked pass the fuel usage, otherwise the rest was very well paced. Some of the science bothered me, but otherwise the beginning was the biggest thing.
What really drew you into the narrative?
Jo: Ryland Grace reminded me so much of my loving and approachable high school Chemistry teacher. He solves problems on the ship as a science teacher would, and teaches Rocky about humanity as a teacher would. His love for his students and the future of his students was what had me rooting for him from the get go.
Southern: The writing style! It was written as a true narrative and almost felt like it was from Grace’s journal (in a great way). Not only that, but it lent itself to really pushing and keeping up the pace of the story and propelling you through it. Yes, this is 500 pages, but it flies by.
What minor character do you want to know more about?
Jo: I would love to have more background on Ilyukhina. This loving and quirky Russian woman literally wanted to die from heroin overdose and that is such a heck of a way to want to go. I loved the few scenes she was in and the background on how she was an engineer has to be a total boss.
Southern: I want to know what happened to the kids. What did Earth look like for them as adults? We never get to go back, and while we know that they have taken care of the issue, we don’t know what the actual fallout from that is. By the time that the Sun has recovered, they would most certainly be adults. Was there war? (I also agree with Ilyukhina, because she seemed fantastic.)
Any type of reader you wouldn’t recommend this book to?
Jo: Probably teens. I definitely see this book has a certain richness to it that becomes more approachable for folks at least in their 20s. I think teenagers wouldn’t get the loneliness and the existential part of not knowing about your job/future/etc.
Southern: Anyone who wants nitty-gritty science with all of the equations, or who likes complicated detailed world-building, maybe give this a pass. This is a great book for anyone who is looking for a dip into science fiction, or who enjoys more contemporary style writing. If you liked Ready Player One, I think you would like this book.
