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A review by explikator
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I don't think I'm a pedant, but this book gave me a huge problem right on the first page. Ryland Grace (Twin of Watney from 'The Martian') wakes up, can't move a muscle, especially states that he can't move his head, can't look around - but immediately knows he's lying on a bed with an oval shape. How?
I'm sorry, but I think this book was written in one go by the author and then massively edited afterwards by at least two different editors. My copy is filled with typos, exclamation marks and a lot of "hecks", and "what the hell". And the way that Ryland is NOT using swear words - unlike Watney - is very synthetical.
Mild spoilers ahead.That said "Project Hail Mary" was an entertaining read - I like first contact stories - and who can resist the dry sarcasm of a talking giant spider like Rocky?
In fact the alien creature is the most human character in this book, every human is a caricature. Russians are always stern and constantly drink wodka and even Stratt, who'd had enough time to develop, is not a living being with a soul.
Something with the pacing of this book is off the rail. The first problem are the chapters with his memories, constantly cutting the progress of the story in pieces. Second problem: The suspense is built by throwing technical problems at Stan and Ollie - sorry, Grace and Rocky, so the reader has to struggle to whole chapters of techno babble of the worst sort
The first third of the book are a little bumpy, the middle part is very entertaining and I was willing to forget my first impression, but the last third was just too far stretched, too much techno and not enough soul for me. Sorry.
I'm sorry, but I think this book was written in one go by the author and then massively edited afterwards by at least two different editors. My copy is filled with typos, exclamation marks and a lot of "hecks", and "what the hell". And the way that Ryland is NOT using swear words - unlike Watney - is very synthetical.
Mild spoilers ahead.
In fact the alien creature is the most human character in this book, every human is a caricature. Russians are always stern and constantly drink wodka and even Stratt, who'd had enough time to develop, is not a living being with a soul.
Something with the pacing of this book is off the rail. The first problem are the chapters with his memories, constantly cutting the progress of the story in pieces. Second problem: The suspense is built by throwing technical problems at Stan and Ollie - sorry, Grace and Rocky, so the reader has to struggle to whole chapters of techno babble of the worst sort
The first third of the book are a little bumpy, the middle part is very entertaining and I was willing to forget my first impression, but the last third was just too far stretched, too much techno and not enough soul for me. Sorry.