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A review by theravenkingx
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Project Hail Mary? More like hell Mary
The book is far from perfect. It seems to be an erotica for space nerds, that they can bate to. I mean more power to you. I wish you great orgasms.
No doubt the science is well done, and the author's research work and assiduity are commendable. However, The scientific concepts and details overshadow the story and the characters. Moreover, if your remove the science bits, this book would become a space comedy (now that I think of it, that might have been better). The plot feels like it was written by a 5 year old. A man, on a mission to save the world from a threat that endangers the entire planet, meets a fun little spider-like alien.
The characters are poorly written and serve as vehicles for the author to boast about his Knowledge of microbiology and physics. The book is full of plot holes and badly written arcs that the author neglects, hoping that his brilliance in science will compensate for the weak writing but it doesn't. Many people fell for his contrivance, but I had to block several parts of my brain to enjoy it. if you are afraid that you don't have enough brain cells for this book, then I have a great news for you: you only need two to enjoy it. I picked up this book for the plot, not the science. If I wanted science, I would have opened a textbook. Thank you.
The book starts off strong, with a captivating premise and a clever use of the amnesia trope. The main character, Dr. Grace, wakes up on a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he is there. He gradually learns that he is on a mission to save Earth from a deadly alien microbe that feeds on starlight. The author creates a believable and intriguing scenario of alien life in the form of a microbe, rather than the clichéd super intelligent green aliens. However, the book loses its momentum and focus after the first 40% of the story. The next 200 pages are filled with excessive exposition and info dumping. Mr. Weir(d) seems more interested in showing off his scientific knowledge than in developing the plot and the characters. Once that is over, we finally return to the actual plot. The plot becomes captivating and engrossing again, as Dr. Grace and his alien friend try to find a solution to the microbe problem. The book could have ended at the 80% mark, with a bittersweet but satisfying ending. But nahhhh the author decides to drag the story for another 100 pages, with a pointless discovery, a rescue mission, a fluffy reunion, and an unrealistic ending.
Here are some of the issues that I have with the book:
Teacher in Space
The explanation for why the space agency would send a middle school teacher on such an important mission is not convincing. It also makes no sense to let a teacher experiment on Astrophage instead of real scientists. Our hero is like doremon with endless set of skill that he keeps pulling out from his pocket conveniently on correct occasions. He a great mathematician, scientist, engineer, programmer, astronaut, teacher, and probably more.
Main Character
Andy Weir cannot create good characters. Dr. Grace is a reincarnation of Dr. Mark Watney from his previous book, The Martian. They are exactly the same person: quirky, nerdy, Mr. Know-It-All with a sprinkle of self-doubt. But at least this book has an alien with great personality.... Oh no I am lying. The alien is quirky, nerdy, Mr. Know-It-All with a sprinkle of self-doubt (no you're not feeling deja-vu) and eight legs.
Stratt and White Savior Syndrome
My major issue is with Stratt. She decides for an entire planet without anyone's consent or approval. She is an unbelievable character who personifies white privilege and self-righteousness. She breaks the law, disrespects the judge, threatens him with her army, and gets away with it. She endangers Africa and Europe, colonizes Sahara, and nukes Antarctica to cause more global warming. She has too much power and no accountability. She endangers many people to save what? white people or the world? It’s questionable. She is portrayed as a brave character who will do anything to save the world. She makes some terrible decisions. She is also quite hypocritical. She accuses the guy from New Zealand of murder, while asking him to help build a device that can endanger millions of lives.
Language Barrier
The way the main character overcomes the language barrier is hilarious and absurd. He explains the time dilation theory to an alien that does not speak his language. The theory of relativity is hard enough to explain to someone who speaks your language, let alone someone who speaks a foreign language you do not know. They start to interact with each other in perfect grammar and vocabulary in no time. I don't think that's how languages work. Some words cannot be translated between different languages, let alone interplanetary ones.
Racial Stereotype and Covert Racism
The book relies on racial stereotypes, such as Russians with vodka and Asians with accents. The story centers on white people, while other space programs are not given much importance . People of color are killed off before they can join Project Hail Mary (This is not a spoiler) and that's how our main guy ends up alone in space (umm.. alone in space? Deja vu? "I think I have seen this film before and I didn't like the ending" -Taylor swift)
I don't understand how readers were able overlook all the issues this book contains? I don't think it's a great book. It's an okay book with great science. I enjoyed it. It kept me engaged, but I won't be raving about it or recommending it unless you are a big space nerd in dire need of orgasm.
The book is far from perfect. It seems to be an erotica for space nerds, that they can bate to. I mean more power to you. I wish you great orgasms.
No doubt the science is well done, and the author's research work and assiduity are commendable. However, The scientific concepts and details overshadow the story and the characters. Moreover, if your remove the science bits, this book would become a space comedy (now that I think of it, that might have been better). The plot feels like it was written by a 5 year old. A man, on a mission to save the world from a threat that endangers the entire planet, meets a fun little spider-like alien.
The characters are poorly written and serve as vehicles for the author to boast about his Knowledge of microbiology and physics. The book is full of plot holes and badly written arcs that the author neglects, hoping that his brilliance in science will compensate for the weak writing but it doesn't. Many people fell for his contrivance, but I had to block several parts of my brain to enjoy it. if you are afraid that you don't have enough brain cells for this book, then I have a great news for you: you only need two to enjoy it. I picked up this book for the plot, not the science. If I wanted science, I would have opened a textbook. Thank you.
The book starts off strong, with a captivating premise and a clever use of the amnesia trope. The main character, Dr. Grace, wakes up on a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or why he is there. He gradually learns that he is on a mission to save Earth from a deadly alien microbe that feeds on starlight. The author creates a believable and intriguing scenario of alien life in the form of a microbe, rather than the clichéd super intelligent green aliens. However, the book loses its momentum and focus after the first 40% of the story. The next 200 pages are filled with excessive exposition and info dumping. Mr. Weir(d) seems more interested in showing off his scientific knowledge than in developing the plot and the characters. Once that is over, we finally return to the actual plot. The plot becomes captivating and engrossing again, as Dr. Grace and his alien friend try to find a solution to the microbe problem. The book could have ended at the 80% mark, with a bittersweet but satisfying ending. But nahhhh the author decides to drag the story for another 100 pages, with a pointless discovery, a rescue mission, a fluffy reunion, and an unrealistic ending.
Here are some of the issues that I have with the book:
Teacher in Space
The explanation for why the space agency would send a middle school teacher on such an important mission is not convincing. It also makes no sense to let a teacher experiment on Astrophage instead of real scientists. Our hero is like doremon with endless set of skill that he keeps pulling out from his pocket conveniently on correct occasions. He a great mathematician, scientist, engineer, programmer, astronaut, teacher, and probably more.
Main Character
Andy Weir cannot create good characters. Dr. Grace is a reincarnation of Dr. Mark Watney from his previous book, The Martian. They are exactly the same person: quirky, nerdy, Mr. Know-It-All with a sprinkle of self-doubt. But at least this book has an alien with great personality.... Oh no I am lying. The alien is quirky, nerdy, Mr. Know-It-All with a sprinkle of self-doubt (no you're not feeling deja-vu) and eight legs.
Stratt and White Savior Syndrome
My major issue is with Stratt. She decides for an entire planet without anyone's consent or approval. She is an unbelievable character who personifies white privilege and self-righteousness. She breaks the law, disrespects the judge, threatens him with her army, and gets away with it. She endangers Africa and Europe, colonizes Sahara, and nukes Antarctica to cause more global warming. She has too much power and no accountability. She endangers many people to save what? white people or the world? It’s questionable. She is portrayed as a brave character who will do anything to save the world. She makes some terrible decisions. She is also quite hypocritical. She accuses the guy from New Zealand of murder, while asking him to help build a device that can endanger millions of lives.
Language Barrier
The way the main character overcomes the language barrier is hilarious and absurd. He explains the time dilation theory to an alien that does not speak his language. The theory of relativity is hard enough to explain to someone who speaks your language, let alone someone who speaks a foreign language you do not know. They start to interact with each other in perfect grammar and vocabulary in no time. I don't think that's how languages work. Some words cannot be translated between different languages, let alone interplanetary ones.
Racial Stereotype and Covert Racism
The book relies on racial stereotypes, such as Russians with vodka and Asians with accents. The story centers on white people, while other space programs are not given much importance . People of color are killed off before they can join Project Hail Mary (This is not a spoiler) and that's how our main guy ends up alone in space (umm.. alone in space? Deja vu? "I think I have seen this film before and I didn't like the ending" -Taylor swift)
I don't understand how readers were able overlook all the issues this book contains? I don't think it's a great book. It's an okay book with great science. I enjoyed it. It kept me engaged, but I won't be raving about it or recommending it unless you are a big space nerd in dire need of orgasm.