Project Hail Mary: The Sunday Times bestseller from the author of The Martian Paperback – 29 Sept. 2022

Andy Weir wrote “The Martian” so I was expecting good things, and this did not disappoint. I’ve only ever seen the film of The Martian but this has similarities in the main character - knowledgeable and determined - and in the style - science based, obstacles to overcome and a few surprises.What I liked best was the mystery. Ryland Grace wakes up alone from an induced coma not even knowing his own name and not understanding that he’s on a spaceship. His memory comes back in snatches so we are learning about his world with him. This back and forth in time can be tedious in some books but it works seamlessly here.Ryland has to save the Earth and he attempts this with the help of an alien. How do you even begin to communicate with an alien? This concept is explored in interesting detail. It is helped by the fact that the alien is actually fairly similar to a human, a fact not lost on the author who even suggests we could have a common ancestry - what an intriguing idea.The story is peppered with simple science, enough that it makes sense but not so much that it overwhelms. It is logical and practical, and predictable mistakes happen which makes you feel clever “I thought that might happen!”. A totally enjoyable book, loved the plot and the characters. A bit of a daft resolution but forgivable given the impossibility of any other happy ending.

I absolutely fell in love with this book and have been recommending it everyone I know.At its core, Project Hail Mary is a story of survival, discovery, and unexpected friendships. We follow Ryland Grace waking up alone in space, with no memory, next to two dead bodies that he doesn’t recognise, and absolutely no clue where he is or why he is there. As he slowly pieces together his mission, and understands that the fate of the Earth is in his hands, he must use all of his scientific knowledge to face challenges which grow increasingly more complex and dangerous. Watching his memories come back piece by piece was such a clever and compelling narrative choice. The twists were so perfectly paced, right up until the end of the book you are still putting together the why’s and how’s of Grace ending up in space. I think this really added an emotional weight to the story as we learn Grace’s backstory as well as the enormity of the mission that he has been sent on.For me the best part of the book was the relationship between Grace and Rocky. It was so unexpectedly heart-warming and their growing camaraderie and cooperation felt genuine and hopeful in a way that was incredibly powerful. I also have to give huge credit to Andy Weir for the way that he weaves complex science into the story, whether it’s astrophysics, chemistry or microbiology, he manages to explain it in a way that feels smart but accessible and ultimately not overwhelming the reader. Beyond the science and the space adventure I really liked the emotional depth of the story, the moral and ethical decisions made on Earth by Stratt and the international community in their response to the danger as well as Grace confronting his own uncomfortable truths about who he is and the choices he makes.I grew up a sci-fi fan, I would watch Stargate SG1 religiously, and the whole array of Star Trek’s. Project Hail Mary reminded me why I fell in love with the genre in the first place, it’s smart, heartfelt and full of wonder.

I'm not sure how to start this review. I've already read The Martian and enjoyed that enormously so, I was looking forward to reading Project Hail Mary, recommended as it was by a friend.It's a curious book. The premise is that an unknown "thing" is essentially diminishing the power of our sun and if it is not stopped, life on Earth is going to end. What follows this discovery is the moving to stop it or at least have a go at trying, and that's where Dr Grace comes in, a schoolteacher who becomes integral to the mission to stop the threat.It is fair to say that Grace has mixed feelings about his role and Weir has chosen to show how Grace's pathway to becoming the saviour of Earth is charted, through depicting the present and how he is involved in the process now, and through flashbacks, showing his involvement in getting Project Hail Mary off the ground (excuse the pun).The main action of the book takes place in space and centres on Grace finding a solution to Earth's problem. What is interesting is that he doesn't do it alone and the friendship that he strikes up with a fellow being is the strength of this book, its development throughout being heartwarming, funny and incredibly believable, making for a great novel read.The scientific working out though? Less great. However, I understand that extensive explanations of the science are essential in a book of this nature and readily admit to being naturally Arts focused. I am also conscious that Weir is more than likely dumbing down everything to make it accessible to the average reader. Still, for me, a little arduous.I was glad, then, that interspersed with the space stuff was the Earth stuff, because it provided a diversion from the intensity and almost claustrophobic nature of the space mission, with more humans and just more plot which was less samey than the space endeavours. The rest of it was imaginative and surprising and extremely uplifting.The only other comment to make is it was distinctively Weir. You could have The Martian and Project Hail Mary placed in front of you and it wouldn't take a rocket scientist (pun intended) to work out that they were by the same writer in terms of character voice, plot development and theme.All that said, it was good.