Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Change of Plans) – That’s What I’m Talking About…

Project Hail Mary grabbed my attention the moment Ryland wakes and has no clue where he is or how he got there. The way Weir shares the story in Ryland’s first person narrative is captivating. We learn along side of Ryland as he slowly regains his memories. I love his scientific brain as he rationalizes different theories, and I love his middle school teacher brain as is keeps him calm and prevents him from swearing. 

The story is primarily shared in Ryland’s present day on the ship, but as he regains memories, we also witness flashbacks that start at the beginning of what brought him to space and leaps closer to the present with each memory. I love how we experience the flashbacks with Ryland and are just as surprised as he is with each new revelation. Sometimes I’d figure something out just before him and other times I’m floored. I love how his personality expands and is defined with each thought and action. 

We learn that in the past, the sun is dimming due to a newly discovered microscopic sized life form that feeds on the sun’s energy. This leads to an additional discovery: multiple stars are experiencing the same phenomenon, with the exception of Tau Ceti. Project Hail Mary is a global effort to reach Tau Ceti and determine why it isn’t suffering the same ill effects. Tension and drama are created due to the time crunch that within a couple decades, Earth will be too cold to sustain life. 

Once he reaches the Tau Ceti system, Ryland discovers that he’s not alone. Making contact with another sentient life form who’s there for the same reason as Ryland is exciting. I loved watching the pair learn to communicate and eventually work together on the problem. The science is fascinating and exciting for this engineering nerd. But because of Ryland’s background as a teacher, he usually explains it in terms a general reader can follow. We may not understand it all, but it makes sense. I loved Rocky and Ryland’s discussions and debates over everything including the origins of the Astrophage and evolution. 

The adventure is perilous at times. Things get so normalized that Ryland forgets the constant dangers that surround him. So when things do go wrong (and they do), it’s intense, leaving the listener on the edge of their proverbial seat. And in between the action, the author works in subtle humor amidst a serious situation and story.

Narration: As mentioned, the story is shared via the first person narrative of Ryland. Porter has a solid male voice which is used for Ryland’s narration and dialogue. Porter slightly alters dialogue based on character gender, enough to recognize. He utilizes a variety of accents based on country of origin. The narrator does such a great job capturing the personality of this extremely intelligent yet everyday teacher, including his cognitive thinking and emotional freak outs. Additionally, the audiobook provides excellent sound effects for Rocky’s native language (he speaks in musical notes).

Life didn’t turn out the way Ryland Grace planned, but he’s had a well-lived life. The friendship he forges with Rocky is the heart of the book. I love how they solve problems together, learn from one another, and respect each other. Their relationship is what saves them both from loneliness and could be the key to saving their respective planets. Project Hail Mary brought me to sobbing tears more than once, both in sadness and in joy.

My Ratings
Story: A/A+
Narration: A+

Jen

About the Book:

A lone astronaut. An impossible mission. An ally he never imagined.