Project Hail Mary

4 out of 5 stars

 Those of you who also loved The Martian but were underwhelmed by Artemis, rejoice! Andy Weir has returned with a book just as enjoyable as The Martian. He has found his mojo.

Weir is at his best when he is writing as the “every science geek" involved in a life threatening situation where he must use all his science knowhow to survive and accomplish his goal. Preferably without people that he must interact with (Mark Watney) or limited to one alien (Ryland Grace). There's a point where the woman in charge of the Hail Mary project bluntly tells Ryland that he's a coward who runs from scientific debate and from the messiness of romantic relationships. It's a common human condition.

I think that the point is that even us cowards sometimes have to make a stand, even though we may have to give up something we value as a result. At least when Ryland finds himself alone (the other crew members didn't survive the coma state they traveled in), he is committed to humanity's survival (and later to the possibility of his own). The woman who called him cowardly also said he was at heart a good person and it seems she was correct.

Weir creates an interesting alien, Rocky, for Ryland to interact with. From a planet with high gravity, high temperature, and an ammonia atmosphere. Rocky is an important addition to the equation, since the human engineer was dead before the first page of the book. Really Rocky's name should have been Scotty! He is continually saving their bacon with his ingenius creations. (And there are references to Star Trek and even The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show which delighted me.)

Just like The Martian, Weir doesn't give his characters much leeway. Every time they breathe a sigh of relief, you know there will shortly be another, more intense crisis. That pattern continues right until the end, so hold onto your hat! The ending is unexpected, but very appropriate. Well done, Mr. Weir!