Project Hail Mary

As something I would never have chosen to read, this book club pick had me gripped from the start alongside our hapless protagonist Ryland Grace, a middle school scientist who wakes in a spaceship and discovers he has to single-handedly save the world. He joins forces with Rocky, a giant blind spider-like alien.

The moment they pull off their mission and Rocky puts on his ‘best’ clothes to celebrate is a golden scene that made my cheeks ache from smiling. I found it to be one of the most original, clever, and funny books I’ve ever read. 

Despite Weir’s books, this one included, being science-heavy, his storytelling is very compelling. The characters he creates, both human and extraterrestrial, have depth and appeal. 

The story reminded me of an Indiana Jones-style adventure set around a science lab in space. The fate of the human race and even more hinges on the success of a mission to deep space to help save our sun.

While reading the novel, I felt both entertained and educated. I thoroughly enjoyed Weir’s novel.

I loved the alien, Rocky (the nickname given to him by the astronaut from Earth because he looks like a big spider made out of stone). I literally could not put it down.

It was fascinating watching the two learn to communicate with each other and work together to solve a common problem, which was the reason their respective races sent them on this mission.

The biggest question they have to answer is why each of them survived while all of their other shipmates perished. I fell so much in love with Rocky that my heart stopped when it seemed… show more.

I loved Andy Weir's first novel, The Martian (the one that was adapted into a terrific Matt Damon movie). I didn't think it would be possible to top it, but Weir manages it in Project Hail Mary.

On a spaceship far from home, Ryland Grace is on a mission to discover why Earth's sun is dimming – a mission that is humanity's only hope. There's an alien encounter like no other, page-turning tension, and wonderful characters to root for.

I just wish I'd been able to tell the friend who gifted me the book how much I enjoyed it… show more.

In Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary, we encounter a well-balanced mixture of themes that come together to make a great story.

Weir’s emphasis on believable science within science fiction lends credibility to the story without bogging the narrative down with overt exposition. This story begins with the protagonist waking up in a troublesome scenario with no memory, lending an air of mystery to the narrative as the character slowly discovers the nature of his predicament.

It is written with an easy-to-read, often humorous tone but also addresses some rather heavy topics as the main character comes to terms with his… show more.

Science fiction was my first love. I read every sci-fi book in the juvenile section of the local library when I was young and then snuck into the forbidden adult section and devoured that.

Thankfully, the librarian turned a blind eye. Since then, I have wandered widely into other genres, but my husband recommended this book and Weir’s first book, The Martian, was outstanding. I wondered how he could top that one, but he did.

There are some similarities in that an unlikely hero, a high school science teacher, has to use his wits to survive in the deadly environment… show more.

Talk about a book I could not put it down. In Project Hail Mary, Weir starts with his main character waking up without any memory of who or where he is.

As he slowly regains knowledge of the who, where, and why, Weir takes us on a journey which (as he did in The Martian) requires his main character to muster all his ingenuity and fortitude (along with a lot of cool science) to survive and... well, I don't want to spoil it. Pick this up. You won't be able to put it down.

I loved it for the humour, which is amazing in such a bleak set up, where the fate of mankind depends on this lone survivor’s mission.

That the author could make his character laugh and me along with him, was amazing. I still chuckle thinking about some of the lines. I am not a reader of sci-fi generally, but I loved this and immediately read The Martian too. Weir makes science fiction accessible. I didn’t even skip bits! 

An amazing story from the author of The Martian! It calls on more accurate chemistry, physics, and engineering than any sci-fi book I’ve read. And it subtly and humorously deals with human empathy and friendship in the most unlikely place.

Ryland Grace is the soul survivor in a spaceship sent to save humanity from a catastrophic ice age that will be caused by a strange light increasing in intensity between our sun and Venus. Ryland is a molecular biologist and a successful middle-school science teacher. He is a passionate science polymath, chosen for a mission to a location near… show more.

When talking about books rich in emotion and reader investment, Project Hail Mary will always make the list.

This book is perfect for both youth and adults with easy to consume space travel science and the most perfect, platonic friendship ever written. From grinning ear to ear to sweating in stress, don’t be surprised if you find yourself fiercely praying for the side-character’s safety and well being.

I would recommend this emotional rollercoaster to any reader who wants a stand-alone novel that will leave you saying “just one more chapter” over and over until you finish the whole book.