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Too much math and science for my taste but found the friendship intriguing.
Andy Weir is great at making science exciting to read about. His characters are like Sherlock Holmes, but they only use science and every situation is life or death.
However, he has a tendency to write the same protagonist every time. Characters are not his strong suit. Some of the things we learn about Ryland Grace are just because he tells us - he never shows us. And it feels shallow.
The plot is great! I'm not a scientist so it's not like I can check his work but I really enjoyed the plot. Just annoyed by the paper thin protagonist.
****2.0****
DNF @50%
This might be one of the unpopular opinions. I did not like it.
There were so many instances which were hard to believe. Main one being a grade school math teacher can know and do so many things in small time gap. And the science and numbers went over my head, plus I had no energy to google out everything just to understand and enjoy the book.
I did like Martian which was a bit simple and straight forward. This one has a movie feel. And narrated keeping movie audience in mind (purely my opinion).
Happy Reading!!
SYNOPSIS:
Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a spaceship, and he has no idea who he is or why he’s there. Throughout the course of the story, he slowly regains his memory.
Readers learn he is there as part of Project Hail Mary.
MY THOUGHTS
Okay, you may want to take my review with a grain of salt because science fiction usually isn’t my jam. However, I have liked some sci-fi books in the past, and I’ve been trying to dip my toes into more genres lately.
Strong start & beginning. Interesting premise.
Enjoyed the back and forth timelines.
Same author that wrote The Martian, which admittedly I didn’t read. I saw the movie, and I can definitely see a lot of similar vibes. I kept picturing the main character as Matt Damon because they seem to have been written in comparable way.
Here’s the biggest issue for me: a large portion of the book is outside the realm of fiction. By that, I mean, there’s no character development & there’s not too much plot. Rather, the bulk is tedious & akin to reading from a textbook. The author leans in HEAVILY to astrophysics, solving equations, & all things science. These things do not move the plot along. It just becomes an info dump on the readers.
Astrophysics is not my forte, so I also could see how readers would love all the calculations & info dumps if that’s interesting for you.
I did like Rocky’s character, but even there, the author failed to develop much. Frankly, the whole language barrier thing was solved in such a ridiculously quick way that it was too much for me.
The whole story is from Ryland’s perspective, which is a bummer because he sucks as a character. He is very one dimensional & can be summed up as the know-it-all, quirky scientist. He has no relationships that we are aware of, so it’s also hard to relate to a human with no connections to anyone.
Overall, it was just meh. It wasn’t terrible. It wasn’t great. It was a middle of the road read for me.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️Meh, just okay read to me. Too much science & too little plot and character development.
I liked this only slightly better than The Martian but the same problems remain. The few female scientists and characters are weirdly either sexualized or overly cold/harsh.
The plot and pacing is just silly and it is the same “Oh No! problem! Let’s MacGyver it at the last second!” Over and over and over again.
I like realistic science fiction or wild fantasy but this just creeps into too fantastical for me to enjoy it as sci fi and too many attempts to sound scientific and smart for me to enjoy it as fantasy.
Para mi, el trabajo anterior de este autor "The martian" es a la vez la salvacion y la perdicion de este libro.
Es la salvacion porque el inicio del libro es bastante dificil de sobrevivir, o para mi lo fue. La escritura me parecio floja, lo de tener una amnesia que crea flashbacks continuos y perfectamete sincronicados demasiado conveniente, las crisis, muy manufacturadas. Pero bueno creo en este autor, sigo leyendo.
Es su perdicion porque es exactamente la misma formula y es demasiado predecible, puedo decir segun voy leyendo que en las siguiente 5 paginas va a haber una crisis y que sera resuelta en las siguientes 30 y asi.
Y eso le quita mucho.
Lo mejor del libro es la roca esa que se encuentra, no puedo contar mas.
Lacked the fun of his first book, the Martian, and became a plodding, formulaic book. I didn’t care whether either character lived or died (nor, for that matter, whether the earth in the novel was destroyed!
So funny! Creative. Fun narrator. Though certain aspects certainly far fetched.
"Project Hail Mary" is an exhilarating and thought-provoking book that takes listeners on an epic space adventure filled with scientific puzzles, high-stakes survival, and unexpected camaraderie. Andy Weir, the acclaimed author of "The Martian," once again showcases his talent for blending science, humor, and gripping storytelling in this thrilling science fiction novel.
One of the strengths of the book is Weir's ability to create a compelling and relatable protagonist. The story follows Ryland Grace, a brilliant scientist who wakes up aboard a spaceship with no memory of how he got there or why he's on a mission to save humanity. As Grace unravels the mystery of his situation, audiobook listeners are drawn into his journey of self-discovery and the desperate fight for survival.
Weir's meticulous attention to scientific detail is another highlight of the book. He seamlessly weaves complex scientific concepts and theories into the narrative, making them accessible and fascinating for listeners. From astrophysics to biology, Weir's depiction of the science behind space travel and extraterrestrial life is both accurate and captivating.
Moreover, "Project Hail Mary" is filled with suspenseful twists and turns that keep listeners on the edge of their seats. Weir expertly balances the intense action sequences with moments of introspection and humor, creating a dynamic and engaging listening experience. The audiobook constantly surprises the listener, making it difficult to predict the outcome and ensuring an immersive and thrilling journey through the vastness of space.
Another strength of "Project Hail Mary" lies in its exploration of humanity's resilience and the power of collaboration. As Ryland Grace encounters unexpected allies and forms unlikely friendships, the book delves into themes of teamwork, sacrifice, and the strength of the human spirit. Weir's portrayal of the bonds formed in the face of adversity adds depth and emotional resonance to the story.
The audiobook's narration by Ray Porter is exceptional. Porter brings each character to life with distinct voices and expertly conveys the emotions and intensity of the story. His performance enhances the listening experience, immersing the audience in the world of "Project Hail Mary" and capturing the essence of each character.
However, the audiobook is not without its minor flaws. Some listeners may find the pacing to be slow at times, especially during the extensive scientific explanations. Additionally, the narrative occasionally relies on convenient coincidences to move the plot forward. Nevertheless, these minor drawbacks do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the audiobook.
In conclusion, "Project Hail Mary" is a gripping and intellectually stimulating book that showcases Andy Weir's mastery of science fiction storytelling. With its compelling protagonist, meticulous scientific detail, and thrilling twists, the book keeps listeners glued to their seats from beginning to end. Weir's ability to seamlessly blend science and entertainment makes the "Project Hail Mary" audiobook a must-listen for both science fiction enthusiasts and those who appreciate a well-crafted, engaging story. Prepare to embark on an extraordinary adventure that will leave you pondering the mysteries of the universe and the indomitable spirit of humanity.
Easily one of the best “Hard Sci-fi” books I’ve read. I generally lean towards the other end of the sci-fi spectrum because I’m not a big brain science guy, but Andy Weir writes science in a way that makes the reader feel smarter than they are… and I need that
