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A review by nzlisam
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Nowhere near as good as I was expecting!
A man wakes from a coma. He has no memory of who he is. He soon realises he’s the sole survivor of a space mission, on board a ship called Hail Mary, positioned in another solar system. As his memories return in fragments, he understands that saving earth rests squarely on his shoulders.
I enjoyed the first 10% but from that point on most of the book dragged. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, there was a good twist at the 83% mark, and the ending was brilliant and emotional. Also, Andy Weircreated a unique and imaginative alien race.
But when does a novel become more non-fiction than fiction? The answer to this question is Project Hail Mary. In-depth math and science were prioritised over the actual story. Pages of textbook-like explanations when a paragraph would have sufficed made for very slow, less exciting, boring reading. It’s a shame because otherwise the writing was excellent – dialogue, thoughts, behaviour, actions – were all spot on.
I have no complaints regarding the audiobook – Ray Porter’sperformance was incredible. He nailed every accent and emotion, his computer voice was awesome, the humour he injected into his reading was delightful, and the sound effects were a clever addition.
I just wish it had of been the five-star read for me that it has been for most everyone else.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Random House UK Cornerstone, and Andy Weir for the e-ARC.
A man wakes from a coma. He has no memory of who he is. He soon realises he’s the sole survivor of a space mission, on board a ship called Hail Mary, positioned in another solar system. As his memories return in fragments, he understands that saving earth rests squarely on his shoulders.
I enjoyed the first 10% but from that point on most of the book dragged. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, there was a good twist at the 83% mark, and the ending was brilliant and emotional. Also, Andy Weircreated a unique and imaginative alien race.
But when does a novel become more non-fiction than fiction? The answer to this question is Project Hail Mary. In-depth math and science were prioritised over the actual story. Pages of textbook-like explanations when a paragraph would have sufficed made for very slow, less exciting, boring reading. It’s a shame because otherwise the writing was excellent – dialogue, thoughts, behaviour, actions – were all spot on.
I have no complaints regarding the audiobook – Ray Porter’sperformance was incredible. He nailed every accent and emotion, his computer voice was awesome, the humour he injected into his reading was delightful, and the sound effects were a clever addition.
I just wish it had of been the five-star read for me that it has been for most everyone else.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, Random House UK Cornerstone, and Andy Weir for the e-ARC.