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Nataliya's Reviews > Project Hail Mary
Project Hail Mary
by
It’s obvious how wonderfully nerdy Andy Weir is. It’s obvious how happy random science stuff makes him — and that enthusiasm is infectious (not Astrophage-infectious but pretty darn close). As he says in this interview,“My favorite part of writing is the research, and the math, and the figuring all that stuff out.”
Luckily, unlike Mark Watney, Ryland Grace is not quite alone. Yes, discovering the desiccated bodies of his crewmates makes him think that “I’m going to die out here. And I’m going to die alone” — but (view spoiler) And it plays out in the best possible way, because (view spoiler) Rocky is by far one of the best SF characters ever. I mean it. Ever.
There are no space battles or invasions or bad guys (well, minus the star-eating microbe that’s doing its star-eating microbe thing while threatening the existence of at least two sentient species in the universe) — nothing that would be typical for the genre. Instead we have smart science and solid reasoning and friendly collaboration that are at the forefront and serve to even out the seemingly insurmountable odds. There is a problem that needs to be solved — and so we are going to solve it, and it’s so much fun. Andy Weir is back in full force, and I’m ridiculously happy about that.
Just like The Martian, it’s one of those books that restore the faith in humanity even for the most jaded of us. Because when we put our minds to it we can cooperate and collaborate and do wonderful things.
Oh, and I think I highlighted about half of this book, and I’m running out of the ways to include quotes in my review, so yeah. I love it.
5 stars, safely Astrophage-free.
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Also posted on my blog.
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My Hugo and Nebula Awards Reading Project 2022
by
“I’d have to do the math to know for sure but — I can’t help it, I want to do the math right now.”This book is half science experiments, half wacky buddy comedy — and it just works so so so well! That nerdy glee I felt on every page of The Martian is back full force. By golly*, I am so gosh-darn* happy right now. Geez and fudge and Holy Moly!*. (Yeah, this book’s protagonist tends to sound like he’s 85 — he’s just not a foul-mouthed sort of a scientist):
*
“The whole world put you in charge of solving this problem, and you came directly to a junior high school science teacher?”In The Martian, Mark Watney woke up with an antenna sticking out of his chest and realized he had to science the shit out of it if he wanted to survive on Mars. In Project Hail Mary, Ryland Grace wakes up from a coma with a bunch of tubes sticking out of him (including that spot where the sun don’t shine) and realizes that he has no memory of what happened — and eventually, through a bit of complicated science, realizes and remembers that he’s the sole survivor of a mission that’s the last ditch chance to save Earth from a star-eating microbe (“Evolution can be insanely effective when you leave it alone for a few billion years.”). For life that needs the output of the Sun it’s not good news. And yes, he also will need to science the shit out of it.
“Yes.”
“How did you do it? What killed it?”
“I penetrated the outer cell membrane with a nanosyringe.”
“You poked it with a stick?”
“No!” I said. “Well. Yes. But it was a scientific poke with a very scientific stick.”
It’s obvious how wonderfully nerdy Andy Weir is. It’s obvious how happy random science stuff makes him — and that enthusiasm is infectious (not Astrophage-infectious but pretty darn close). As he says in this interview,“My favorite part of writing is the research, and the math, and the figuring all that stuff out.”
“The largest nuclear reactor on Earth makes about eight gigawatts. It would take that reactor two million years to create that much energy.”How can you not love a book that shows such resourcefulness and competence in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds? Done with overexcited enthusiasm in the most endearing way, full of sarcastic self-deprecation and humor as coping mechanism, and teaching us science the same way as a very good junior high science teacher may explain concepts to a group of overexcitable preteens. And you betcha that Weir shows his work, and even those not well-versed in science should be able to get it as he really makes it very accessible and non-daunting.
“No, that’s not creepy at all. Being in a spaceship twelve light-years from home and having someone knock on the door is totally normal.”
Luckily, unlike Mark Watney, Ryland Grace is not quite alone. Yes, discovering the desiccated bodies of his crewmates makes him think that “I’m going to die out here. And I’m going to die alone” — but (view spoiler) And it plays out in the best possible way, because (view spoiler) Rocky is by far one of the best SF characters ever. I mean it. Ever.
“I don’t want to look dumb in front of the (view spoiler).
Because they’re surely watching me right now. Probably counting my limbs, noting my size, figuring out what part they should eat first, whatever.”
————
“Humanity’s first miscommunication with (view spoiler). Glad I could be a part of it.”
There are no space battles or invasions or bad guys (well, minus the star-eating microbe that’s doing its star-eating microbe thing while threatening the existence of at least two sentient species in the universe) — nothing that would be typical for the genre. Instead we have smart science and solid reasoning and friendly collaboration that are at the forefront and serve to even out the seemingly insurmountable odds. There is a problem that needs to be solved — and so we are going to solve it, and it’s so much fun. Andy Weir is back in full force, and I’m ridiculously happy about that.
“What I’m really looking for is something like “Information” or “Here to save humanity? Press this button to learn more!”
————
“I decide on a more tactile approach: I’m gonna start pushing buttons!
Hopefully there’s no “Blow Up the Ship” button.”
Just like The Martian, it’s one of those books that restore the faith in humanity even for the most jaded of us. Because when we put our minds to it we can cooperate and collaborate and do wonderful things.
“But there’s no reason aliens would follow the righty-tighty-lefty-loosey rule, is there?”
Oh, and I think I highlighted about half of this book, and I’m running out of the ways to include quotes in my review, so yeah. I love it.
“Oh thank God. I can’t imagine explaining “sleep” to someone who had never heard of it. Hey, I’m going to fall unconscious and hallucinate for a while. By the way, I spend a third of my time doing this. And if I can’t do it for a while, I go insane and eventually die. No need for concern.”
5 stars, safely Astrophage-free.
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Also posted on my blog.
——————
My Hugo and Nebula Awards Reading Project 2022
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Reading Progress
December 1, 2020
– Shelved
May 8, 2021
–
9.0%
"“The whole world put you in charge of solving this problem, and you came directly to a junior high school science teacher?”
“Yes.”"
“Yes.”"
May 8, 2021
–
21.0%
"Why do English speakers persist in using “Dimitri” for Russian name “Dmitri”? It probably looks unpronounceable to an Aglophone, but there really *isn’t* an “i” between “d” and “m”. I’ll just choose to believe that the Russian guy is adjusting the pronunciation to the auditory needs of the English-speaking audience."
May 8, 2021
–
22.0%
"“Evolution can be insanely effective when you leave it alone for a few billion years.”"
May 8, 2021
–
22.0%
"“The largest nuclear reactor on Earth makes about eight gigawatts. It would take that reactor two million years to create that much energy.”
"
"
May 9, 2021
–
23.0%
"“I’d have to do the math to know for sure but — I can’t help it, I want to do the math right now.”
This book in a nutshell, dear readers. And it works — I’m not sure how, but this narrative of math and science experiments totally works as a fun entertaining story. Nerd-heaven."
This book in a nutshell, dear readers. And it works — I’m not sure how, but this narrative of math and science experiments totally works as a fun entertaining story. Nerd-heaven."
May 9, 2021
–
34.0%
"“Wow. I’m sitting here in a spaceship in the Tau Ceti system waiting for the intelligent aliens I just met to continue our conversation…and I’m bored. Human beings have a remarkable ability to accept the abnormal and make it normal.”"
May 9, 2021
–
43.0%
"“Oh thank God. I can’t imagine explaining “sleep” to someone who had never heard of it. Hey, I’m going to fall unconscious and hallucinate for a while. By the way, I spend a third of my time doing this. And if I can’t do it for a while, I go insane and eventually die. No need for concern.”"
May 23, 2021
–
Started Reading
May 23, 2021
–
0.0%
"Well, YES, I read it a couple of weeks ago. And YES, I’m revisiting it on audio already. No, I’m normal, I swear."
page
0
June 3, 2021
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 149 (149 new)
Fantastic review! Bumping this up my tbr
Em Lost In Books wrote: "Fantastic review! Bumping this up my tbr"Thanks, Em! It’s a good book — and I loved it enough that I just got an audio as well and already started the re-listen.
Viktoriia wrote: "Excellent review, as always! I also highlighted half of the book - got 134 notes and highlights on my Kindle! The only other story that I highlighted as heavily was Murderbot Diaries, where every ..."
Thanks, Viktoriia! Same for me — the number of highlights here is similar to the highlights I made for Murderbot series — and similar to the insane number of highlights for The Martian.
Rocky was great! I loved his sarcasm.
why tell people there is an alien in the book-let them find out for themselves
Rich wrote: "why tell people there is an alien in the book-let them find out for themselves"Because it happens pretty early in the story and is not a major plot twist that would spoil anyone’s enjoyment of the book.
yes it would - before someone even reads the first page they find out he will meet an alien gee thanks
might as well write how the book ends
Really? Noting something that happens a few chapters in is equivalent to noting the ending of the book? Yeah, sure. Well, here’s the ending then - the butler did it.
So glad he recovered from the travesty that was Artemis.
So glad you had as much fun with this one as I did! And I agree, Rocky is an effing fantastic SF character.
So good! I am listening to it again. That is some serious science nerd stuff. And yes, he loves the experimentation and figuring it out. It is indeed infectious!
Great review, as usual. and mentioning an alien that even compares to Murderbot makes me put it on my highest priority list, so I don't mind at all. I feel sorry for people who are so bummed at knowing some part of the book in advance, even the ending; they can never read a book twice. Anyway, how can you review a book without giving away some part of it?
Oh, I'm so excited! Unfortunately, it'll take a bit from the library. But great review!
That quote at the end with him trying to explain sleep might be the best thing I’ve ever read in my life. That could’ve been your entire review right there and I would’ve been sold. (Though of course I love getting all the other content too!)
Kim wrote: "So glad he recovered from the travesty that was Artemis."I was a bit apprehensive, I’m not going to lie. I was worried that maybe Weir was a one hit wonder since I disliked Artemis as well, but my worries were unfounded. He’s good at the “lone guy does science” stuff.
Chrissie wrote: "So glad you had as much fun with this one as I did! And I agree, Rocky is an effing fantastic SF character."Rocky *is* fantastic. I loved their banter! I can’t wait to hear how his language is done on audio.
Marta wrote: "So good! I am listening to it again. That is some serious science nerd stuff. And yes, he loves the experimentation and figuring it out. It is indeed infectious!"As long as it’s not Astrophage-infectious 😂.
But yeah, the first thing I did after finishing it yesterday was getting an audio copy as well. Andy Weir is just so good when he explains science. He could have been an amazing science teacher — I would have loved his explanations as a kid. Actually, I would have loved his explanations in college as well - it would have made those physics and chemistry courses much less awful.
Marty wrote: "Great review, as usual. and mentioning an alien that even compares to Murderbot makes me put it on my highest priority list, so I don't mind at all. I feel sorry for people who are so bummed at k..."
Thanks, Marty! For me this book was definitely as much fun as Murderbot, really. And that shtick with the protagonist swearing like a 90-year-old grandma is hilarious on audio.
And yeah — I don’t get it when people are so afraid of spoilers that any detail of a book is viewed as such. If your enjoyment of a book hinges on knowing absolutely nothing about it, why even risk reading a review? And honestly, if a book can be spoiled by revealing a plot point (which is not neither a twist nor the ending) then it wasn’t a good book to begin with.
carol. wrote: "Oh, I'm so excited! Unfortunately, it'll take a bit from the library. But great review!"I took a plunge and bought it because the wait was ridiculous. I was worried though that if it were like “Artemis” then I would have wasted my $$ — but luckily it ended up good and fun and faith-in-humanity-restoration kind of a book. The first few pages were ok, but when the story gets going, it quickly becomes great.
Kevin Lopez wrote: "That quote at the end with him trying to explain sleep might be the best thing I’ve ever read in my life. That could’ve been your entire review right there and I would’ve been sold. (Though of cour..."I loved that quote so much! I mean, it’s completely true, right? If we ever come across aliens who don’t need to sleep, we’ll have a hard time explaining this sleep quirk of ours.
This book is a perfect antidote to “Dhalgren”, by the way 😁
Excellent review ! I am glad to have friends like you who have a similar reading taste :)
Dr. Appu wrote: "Excellent review ! I am glad to have friends like you who have a similar reading taste :)"Thanks!
Nataliya wrote: "Thanks!"You are welcome :)
Nataliya wrote: "I don’t get it when people are so afraid of spoilers that any detail of a book is viewed as such. If your enjoyment of a book hinges on knowing absolutely nothing about it, why even risk reading a review? ..."And that‘s why I don‘t read reviews until I have read the book myself. I read the book blurb and nothing more. I didn‘t mention Rocky in my review and I wouldn‘t have wanted to know before reading the book that he shows up. It‘s more fun for me to be surprised whilst reading the book.
Cathy wrote: "Nataliya wrote: "I don’t get it when people are so afraid of spoilers that any detail of a book is viewed as such. If your enjoyment of a book hinges on knowing absolutely nothing about it, why eve..."You have to know yourself and what you need. It's as easy as that. I never read a review of a book I'm currently reading or that I'm going to read shortly. But if I'm not planning to read the book in let's say the next two weeks or so, I will have forgotten the details of any and all reviews anyway. So it doesn't matter for me if there are spoilers or not. I learned that about myself and I'm acting accordingly.
I haven't written my review of this one yet. But the way the book is structured it is pretty much impossible to review it without giving anything away.
I wrote a review and the reader never knew the 2nd main character was an alien-----did not want to ruin it for the reader
Nataliya wrote: "Kevin Lopez wrote: "That quote at the end with him trying to explain sleep might be the best thing I’ve ever read in my life. That could’ve been your entire review right there and I would’ve been s..."That's very good to know!
I think it really depends on what people view as spoilers. I don’t think of random plot points that happen not even a quarter into a book as spoilers. Those are not plot twists, and in this book the plot does not hinge on a twist or the fact that this book has an alien who shows up pretty early on. For me, it’s just a detail — and something that I don’t see as “ruining” anyone’s experience of a story. But that’s subjective for me. I honestly never care about going into a book blind because knowing a detail or two in advance does not ruin a well-done book for me. I just don’t see how that changes what the book is about or what it makes the reader feel. Obviously, as this thread shows, not everyone feels that way.But help me understand — how does knowing that at some point a friendly alien show up “ruin” this book? You sound the remaining 3/4 of the story in Rocky’s company. His appearance does not hinge on the surprise factor. You still have most of the journey left. It’s not like I state how the plot resolves in this review. By that reasoning even mentioning that Ryland Grace is on a spaceship is a spoiler because we don’t learn it until a couple chapters into the book.
Anyway, to sum up this long comment — we all read differently, and we all have different definition of spoilers, and mine does nit always align with that of others, apparently.
Rich wrote: "I wrote a review and the reader never knew the 2nd main character was an alien-----did not want to ruin it for the reader"Wait. You've read the book already?
I never let people know it was an alien----------that was a plot twist to the story there was no reason to tell people that. When people do stuff like that why ????????????????????????????? Just tell people why you liked it--I do not want cliff notes. I can read the book for myself and let it unfold as it goes-its annoying----------let them get surprised that their is an alien in the book by themselves
Yeah, but that's you, you know. People are different. Listen, I'm not saying you are wrong about this. Surely there are people that don't want to know that there is an alien in this story. The comments on this thread alone are proof of that. But it's also one of the main reasons that this book is so much fun. That's why I haven't written my review yet. I'm considering to just tell people how much I liked the book, without saying much about the plot. But will a review like that be helpful for someone who's trying to decide whether to read the book or not? I'm not sure.
Rich wrote: "I never let people know it was an alien----------that was a plot twist to the story there was no reason to tell people that. When people do stuff like that why ????????????????????????????? Just te..."First, we clearly have a different definition of a plot twist.
Second — I definitely was not forcing you to read my review. If you are that sensitive about not knowing anything about the book before reading it, then you are running the risk of encountering the reviews of people who do not share your view. If my review style doesn’t work for you, you can skip them.
And since you have already read this book, why the outrage? I didn’t “ruin” it for you, and not everyone who reads my review is going to share your views on what’s acceptable in reviews. I’ve read plenty of books where I knew not only minor plot points but the actual ending, and I still was able to enjoy them, even if I wasn’t surprised.
As Cathy above said, a good way to avoid knowing things about the book you don’t want to know is avoiding reviews until you have read it. I saw one of my friends mention Rocky’s existence in her review before I read the book — that did not ruin the book for me but actually got me excited about it. But again, we are all different readers, and we all have things that work or do t work for us, so I doubt that there should be — or even can be — any uniformity in approach to writing these.
Anyway, I doubt we’ll reach any consensus based on the comments so far.
Dennis wrote: "I'm considering to just tell people how much I liked the book, without saying much about the plot."I think the gif you used already shows how much you love love love it. 😂 I need to steal that one.
Haha! Yeah, I guess I could also just leave it at that. But you can have the gif, of course. I'm still waiting for an opportunity to use one that I saw on one of Karen's reviews a couple of weeks ago.
Dennis wrote: "Haha! Yeah, I guess I could also just leave it at that. But you can have the gif, of course. I'm still waiting for an opportunity to use one that I saw on one of Karen's reviews a couple of weeks ago."Well, now I’m very very very curious. 🤔
It will happen at some point, I'm sure.
Fantastic review! ❤️
Nataliya wrote: "Rich wrote: "I never let people know it was an alien----------that was a plot twist to the story there was no reason to tell people that. When people do stuff like that why ????????????????????????..."but you did not know rocky was an alien until this review
@ Rich: this conversation is going nowhere. I promise I’m not the only reviewer to out Rocky as an alien. Let’s end the pointless back and forth here as we are unlikely to arrive at a mutually satisfying agreement.
Dennis wrote: "It will happen at some point, I'm sure."I am anxiously awaiting 😁
exploraDora wrote: "Fantastic review! ❤️"Thanks, Dora!
That nerdy glee I felt on every page of The Martian is back full force.Well, since I had a similar reaction to The Martian, it looks like I'm going to have to read this one too. =)
David wrote: "That nerdy glee I felt on every page of The Martian is back full force.Well, since I had a similar reaction to The Martian, it looks like I'm going to have to read this one too. =)"
You should! Andy Weir is so good at making science accessible, and his enthusiasm is so clear. Most other writers would handwave actual science, and I love that Weir chooses to show how things would be done, and makes it actually interesting.
Nataliya wrote: "@ Rich: this conversation is going nowhere. I promise I’m not the only reviewer to out Rocky as an alien. Let’s end the pointless back and forth here as we are unlikely to arrive at a mutually sati..."you almost are --if at all people said his name was rocky-very few people said he was an alien ----you were wrong and are wrong. What was upside letting that secret out-it was not put on the jacket of.. the book for a reason--surprised you did write if he lived or died-only a small detail
Rich, I think by now I have an excellent idea of your views on the subject. I don’t think you posting it over and over again adds much to this discussion, since we keep saying the same thing to each other over and over. Bye.
When I first heard Ryland say gosh-darn I actually stopped the audiobook and was like, what is happening haha
Justine wrote: "I made it to chapter 2 :("You stopped reading it?
Yes...I might go back and try again because everyone says how great it is, but I don't think it's for me.
I also highlighted half of the book - got 134 notes and highlights on my Kindle! The only other story that I highlighted as heavily was Murderbot Diaries, where every sentence was supremely funny and relatable.
Also, Rocky is my new favorite! He was adorable😍