English language
Published June 10, 2022 by Penguin Books, Limited.
Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission–and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.
His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, he realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Alone on this tiny ship that’s been cobbled together by every government and space agency on the planet and hurled into the depths of space, it’s up to him to conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.
And thanks to an unexpected ally, he just might have a chance.
Part scientific mystery, part …
Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission–and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.
His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, he realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Alone on this tiny ship that’s been cobbled together by every government and space agency on the planet and hurled into the depths of space, it’s up to him to conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.
And thanks to an unexpected ally, he just might have a chance.
Part scientific mystery, part dazzling interstellar journey, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian–while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.
This book is a celebration of science and solidarity. Only when we colaborate we are able to solve the biggest problems of humanity. There are a few times when you have to make a leap of faith, but it's all for the sake of the argument. A very interesting an funny reading.
I found this enjoyable to read, it reminds me of classic Clark and Niven stuff; where the science feels like it was treated as of greater importance than characterisation and description. It feels less believable than The Martian. The starting-with-insomnia is probably on reflection a little tired but it did allow a strong start and allows the slower parts to feel less slow.
Good:
The plot twist around Ryland's amnesia is great!
"Space amoeba" story done right.
Relationship between Ryland and Rocky is endearing.
Audiobook elevates the whole experience.
Bad:
Protagonist with amnesia trope has been done before.
Rocky has interesting alien physiology & boring human psychology.
* Earthbound story-line and characters seem childish & oversimplified compared to science in space sequences.
Heard the audiobook. It is very much "unputdownable" - couldn't stop listening. It's also all the things that made Martian fun - quirky, optimistic, cheerful. I didn't like the whole amnesia plot, because it felt like lazy writing (despite the author's attempt to merge it with the plot and character).
The last few chapters felt rushed to me (After Rocky leaves), but it was still very enjoyable. And Science-y.
I remember Andy had a list of scientific inaccuracies in [b:The Martian|18007564|The Martian|Andy Weir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1413706054l/18007564.SY75.jpg|21825181] (the main one being Martian duststorms not being powerful enough to move anything around), is there such a list for this book?
"I loved this book. The problems and the humor are engaging and feel realistic.
I didn't know what to expect as I started listening to this novel, and the mystery with the flashbacks added to the fun. Additionally, the ally spoken about in the description really develops the themes around friendship.
The end of the story was a big surprise for me and made me love the novel that much more.
I do wish that Grace had come to terms with Stratt's most controversial decision by developing the understanding that as horrible as it was, it made him a better man."
Absolutely loved this book, probably more than I loved The Martian. There is a great level of science geekery, humour and brilliant characters. I could not put it down!
Oh, yes. Riviting all the way through, Ryland Grace joins Kevin Brooks, David Teller and Mike Erikson in my hall of high school teachers who totally kick ass. I confess I had my doubts: an alien life form eating the sun? What’s this, a Saturday morning cartoon? Where’s the scientific exposition? The chemical formulae? The soul searching through peril? But of course, they’re all there.
I loved the Martian. I enjoyed Artemis, although felt it was “good” rather than “superb”. But this kept me on the edge of my seat. I feel totally inadiquat as a scientific Human being now; if I woke up and felt something was slightly off, I’d hardly be able to work out what with a tape measure and a test tube. But all the way through, Grace felt like someone I could really enjoy watching. The backstory reveals were fascinating and solid, the jeopardy to …
Oh, yes. Riviting all the way through, Ryland Grace joins Kevin Brooks, David Teller and Mike Erikson in my hall of high school teachers who totally kick ass. I confess I had my doubts: an alien life form eating the sun? What’s this, a Saturday morning cartoon? Where’s the scientific exposition? The chemical formulae? The soul searching through peril? But of course, they’re all there.
I loved the Martian. I enjoyed Artemis, although felt it was “good” rather than “superb”. But this kept me on the edge of my seat. I feel totally inadiquat as a scientific Human being now; if I woke up and felt something was slightly off, I’d hardly be able to work out what with a tape measure and a test tube. But all the way through, Grace felt like someone I could really enjoy watching. The backstory reveals were fascinating and solid, the jeopardy to both Humanity as a whole and Grace himself felt very real and tangible, Rocky was a delight, and the ending was sublimely satisfying. Another absolute corker of a read, one to pick up again and again I am sure. What a rush.
