Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
Let’s be honest here, science fiction (sci-fi) movies are cool ASF but sometimes the books can do the concept a disservice. However, in Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, the rudimentary breakdown of alien lifeform read impeccably well. Sci-fi thrillers that give homage to philosophical principles have a special place in my heart. Films like Inception, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and Get Out are marvelous examples of human behavioral critiques under the guise of sci-fi. Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary did just that, and I loved it so.
Synopsis
The reader is thrown into a questionable plot with the protagonist, Ryland Grace, suffering from memory loss. He awakes on a spaceship as the sole crew survivor of three and recollects bits of information over time – like his name, his elementary science students, and obviously how he got there. We follow him for a bit as he familiarizes himself with the spaceship and recalls more memories. Grace soon remembers that Earth is threatening extinction from an alien organism eating away at the Sun and he is Earth’s last hope. Oh, and another spacecraft looms in the distance. Are they friend or foe? Will Grace be able to complete the mission? Or is all of humanity doomed, including his own?
Book Feel (tiny spoiler)
So, Grace over here is cynical in the most comical way. After about 15 pages, you’re hooked in for the full 476 page ride and this ain’t Six Flags I’m referencing. Off bat, Grace is a likable semi reliable narrator. He certainly has not lost his childlike curiosity yet the heavy science education sometimes made my brain work harder to grasp his breakdowns. Like, 98% of context is simple enough for a fifth grader, whereas the remaining percentage affirmed why I dropped my chemistry minor. I admired most how brilliantly an alien species, STARKLY different from humans, was explained and oddly sounded plausible. Overall, Grace is the type of character you root for, even when he’s being a dumbass.
Book Quote:
“It’s a simple idea, but also stupid. Thing is, when stupid ideas work, they become genius ideas.”
Read It or Leave It
Chile, if you don’t go snatch this book up today and read it, we may have to exchange some words. It’s a fantastic thriller even for science haters. If you watched The Martian, the 2015 movie adaptation starring Matt Damon, then you’re already familiar with Andy Weir’s earlier work, emphasizing this man ain’t new to this, he’s true to this. I’m thoroughly glad I read this book.
Currently
I am two kneecaps deep in a messy, MESSY read called Stay With Me by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀. It is QUITE the tale friend, out the gate we start off in shambles. The wife and husband drama somewhat reminds me of An American Marriage by Tayari Jones, similarly told in the perspective of each party. Whew, it’s juicy. Unfortunately, I put Giovanni’s Room down since it didn’t pick up steam after the first 50 pages, but I’ll return to it eventually.