A Journey to save the Sun - Project Hail Mary - A Review

Why I chose to Read Project Hail Mary

Many of us have come across the movie "The Martian" based on Andy Weir’s novel. For a science lover, isn’t that a treat? The amount of detail, the problem-solving elements, it all felt like a scientific treasure hunt. Unfortunately, I watched the movie first, and despite my efforts I couldn’t pick up the book afterwards, as it would feel redundant. So, I was eagerly waiting for Andy Weir’s next book in 2025. Little did I know he had already published one in 2021! The moment I found out, I immediately picked it as my next read.

About the Book

Unlike The Martian, where Mark Watney is trying to save himself, in Project Hail Mary the protagonist is on a mission to save the world. Ryland Grace, a rogue scientist turned schoolteacher, is unexpectedly recruited by government agencies to help stop an impending apocalypse.

Main Characters

·         Ryland Grace: The protagonist.

·         Eva Stratt: A top-level government executive.

·         Rocky: Whom Ryland eventually meets.

·         Other astronauts like Shapiro and Olesya, along with several scientists, also appear in the novel.

Theme of the Book

The Sun, our star and the heart of the solar system starts losing its intensity. As the Sun dims, Earth begins to cool, leading towards inevitable collapse of life. This is the central problem, and the novel follows how humanity attempts to solve it.

What makes this book different is that it doesn’t go for a cliché apocalypse plot (like an asteroid being blown up within months). Instead, the threat is scientific, gradual, and convincingly explained. The solutions are also developed over a believable length of time, using fresh scientific tools.

The first thing I loved was the diagram at the beginning of the book, which explains the structure and function of Ryland’s spaceship. Very neat. Another highlight is how Weir breaks away from common alien stereotypes. His attention to detail is meticulous, and despite trying hard, I couldn’t find any logical gaps.

Critical View

Some of the science and problem-solving may feel too dense for readers unfamiliar with such concepts. Even though Weir explains things well, certain topics like time dilation are inherently complicated. After seeing the illustration in first page, mind automatically expects illustrations for complicated objects. When Ryland explains alien artifacts, it felt hard to comprehend. An Illustration would have been helpful Or he could have described it more. Author has picturized the artefact in his mind, and his description of it felt like he assumed that people are able to picturize the same. Here's the thing No Mr. Weir we are not able to visualize that,  some of the artifacts are too complicated to understand from your description.

Rocky's Engineering skills, eventhough it is one of the strengths in the book. It felt that he made everything too easy, when there is a complicated engineering problem Rocky is there and he solves it. However, to be honest, for this book's plot, that loophole is necessary, otherwise the book could have felt too dry or too complicated.

In terms of characters, Ryland Grace often feels too similar to Mark Watney. The Humours, his reaction to the mission, the Teaching parts etc reminded more of Watney. Rocky is memorable and fun to be with but not deeply layered. Stratt’s character arc remains largely static. For his next book, I hope Weir develops a more varied cast of characters alongside the science.

Overall

If you love fast-paced sci-fi that isn’t pure imagination but grounded in deep science, this book is for you. It’s highly enjoyable, and that I can guarantee.