Project Hail Mary - Andy Weir
Audiobook narrated by Ray Porter.
Originally published 2021.
This book surprised me, despite being very much what I expected.
I know that author Andy Weir wrote The Martian (aka, the book that the 'Matt Damon growing potatoes on Mars' movie was based on) and expected that, like that book, this one was going to be a science-heavy piece of science-fiction.
Tick.
The plot of Project Hail Mary unfolds gradually, with protagonist Dr Ryland Grace awakening from a medically induced coma in a mysterious location, being tended to by a mysterious medical robot. To begin with, he is suffering from amnesia (Grace tells us that long-term comas are not good for people, and that it must have scrambled his brain), but as he slowly regains his memories he realises he is on a mission to save all of humanity. A "space bacteria" - given the name 'Astrophage' by Grace - is slowly consuming the light from the sun, and if left unchecked, will dim the sun's light and kill all life on Earth. Fortunately, Astrophage also has a lot of potential uses, including enabling humanity to create a near-light-speed space craft, capable of travelling to the Tau Ceti system. Why Tau Ceti? Because Earth scientists have noted that it alone out of nearby stars does not seem to be affected by Astrophage, and they hope that sending a small group of scientists there will help find a solution to the problem affecting Earth.
Earth is not the only planet facing the Astrophage problem, however. Soon, Grace encounters another ship, and meets an alien-life form (whom he names 'Rocky') with a similar goal. Rocky is much more advanced in his engineering skills, whereas Grace is much more advanced in his scientific knowledge. The two life-forms must learn how to communicate with one another and work together to try and save both of their home-worlds.
As already mentioned, this book focusses heavily on the science of its science-fiction. Our main characters (both in space and during flashbacks to Grace's pre-mission life) conduct experiments and craft solutions to problems they face, learning about how Astrophage works, developing the technology for the 'Hail Mary' mission, learning to communicate with an alien life-form, learning how to survive in an alien atmosphere, learning how to overcome hurdles that arise while trying to manufacture a solution to the Astrophage problem... everything sounds scientific, and vaguely plausible for what is quite openly science-fiction.
The narrator of the audiobook version adds to the authenticity of the story. He gives a good incredulous tone and mild sarcasm when required, and seems fairly good with his accents - important for a story that (for the Earth-bound segment) has a vast range of nationalities represented. Of course, the word 'seems' is significant as well; as a proud New Zealander, I can assure the listeners that the occasional Kiwi accent in the audiobook is way off, but I'm willing to give a pass on that - our accents are hard to get right. Who knows whether the other accents are close...
But, none of this sounds all that surprising. Why did I open by saying the book surprised me, then?
Because of the ending.
I won't go into spoilers here, but after such a science-heavy book, with no discernible villain and all the stakes being ones that can be overcome by trial and error, I was not expecting that, out of nowhere, I would be quite moved by the ending. Weir has crafted an ending that fits the story beautifully, and actually had me welling up ever so slightly. I enjoyed the book as a whole, but the ending elevates the story for me quite a bit.
Or maybe its a symptom of finishing the book near the end of the year, when I'm ready for a holiday and maybe more tired and emotional than usual.
Either way, this might actually be one of my favourite books of the year.
And that is surprising.
Completed 18 December 2024.
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