A Review of Project Hail Mary: Another Excellent Hard Sci-Fi Novel from Weir
WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS!
Andy Weir knows how to write hard science fiction, delivering on reader expectations in the special subgenre. Typical storytelling elements like character development, compelling literary themes, and elegant prose are not at a premium. It is first and foremost a “what if” subgenre with a science-based event or subject that drives the plot. Andy Weir has proven he is exceptional at asking the “what if” and delivering on well-researched and implemented science. Project Hail Mary is a perfect example.
Project Hail Mary also exposes Weir’s limitations as a fiction writer. While it is more dynamic than The Martian from a character standpoint, it is still something that probably wouldn’t thrive among a broader audience. Of course, neither Weir nor his many fans care. Based on sales and review numbers, the hard sci-fi readership is a formidable bunch.
The book’s protagonist Ryland Grace is a brilliant and likable junior high school teacher who is approached by a high level government official named Eve Stratt. Her exact title and role aren’t as relevant as the fact that she seems to have omnipotent authority. She asks Ryland to help investigate an observed dimming of the sun by examining a biological specimen believed to be responsible for the dimming. It is a space-borne organism that is dubbed “astrophage” or star eater. If Earth’s scientists cannot find a way to stop the astrophage, the dimming of the sun will cause a new ice age and wipe out human civilization.
A potential solution is discovered when astronomers note that the nearby star Tau Ceti is the only star that is not exhibiting any signs of dimming due to the astrophage. A manned mission to Tau Ceti is launched, using the astrophage as the power behind a new near FTL propulsion system. Ryland Grace is forced to be part of the mission, which normally would be an insanely bad idea. Why would you send someone into space that doesn’t want to be there? The answer: a new amnesia drug that will instead send him with no memories at all.
It isn’t really clear why Weir had his character refuse to be a part of the mission, which required the silly amnesia drug solution. There are other technological interventions in the book as well that could qualify as deus ex machina moments. However, they seem to work for Weir because his stories focus on innovation and ingenuity. They are about finding technical solutions to his “what if” scenarios. At same time, the amnesia drug comes out of nowhere to allow the plot to proceed rather than being part of the problem-solving process at the center of the novel.
From here you get to the best part of the book, Ryland’s first contact with an alien ship. An advanced spider-like species from 40 Eridani are also investigating Tau Ceti. They are facing the same apocalyptic doom as Earth. The human and Eridian alien, whom Ryland calls Rocky, learn to communicate and eventually collaborate on defeating the astrophage.
Project Hail Mary has a compelling premise, a likable protagonist, and a really neat first contact story that evolves into a friendship. The science is more than sound. Weir commits to plausibility resulting in a sci-fi story that feels realistic. The protagonist meanwhile is very similar in personality to Mark Watney from The Martian. He is friendly, compassionate, and excels at the lighthearted Dad jokes. He is humble and tends to downplay his mastery of molecular biology. During the mission, he becomes a sort of space MacGyver finding impressive solutions to the technical problems faced.
Rocky is my favorite character, although there isn’t much competition. The novel flashbacks to Earth, where Ryland deals with super-tyrant Eve Stratt as well as his ill-fated crewmates and other scientists working on defeating the astrophage threat. Unfortunately, these characters are mostly undeveloped and tend to damage the suspension of belief with their behavior.
Eve Stratt is meant to be the badass who makes the tough decisions for all humanity, likely dooming her to a life sentence for crimes against humanity. She knows she has omnipotent power, which robs every scene of any tension. Eve can make anything happen. Weir’s attempts to humanize her simply don’t succeed.
At times, she seems a little petty. In one scene, she attends a federal court proceeding against her mission and declares to the judge she is beyond her jurisdiction. During the exchange, she claims she didn’t have to come to court at all but wanted to put to end any other proceedings by making her power publicly known. This comes off as a petty and unnecessary display of power that adds virtually nothing to the story. Eve’s power is demonstrated numerous times. The courtroom moment is gratuitous at best.
The other scientists and astronauts are largely forgettable. Weir tries to develop them but other than reading off their credentials and demographic info, there isn’t much to distinguish them. Their speech patterns are the same and all of them seem to have similar perspectives on the mission. Their innovations contributed to the project but in terms of the story, they add little more than that.
This dovetails in to my biggest criticism of the novel, the shortage of personal drama. Weir just isn’t able to generate much emotion in this novel. The powerful feelings that could be expressed in the face of extinction just do not really materialize. Ryland constantly breaks tension with his science and Dad jokes. Many other characters also seem set on breaking apart any potential drama with bad jokes or stating the obvious. It is funny and appreciated at times, but it felt like all of them were coping with crisis the exact same way.
The behavior of the scientists also felt juvenile and inconsistent with their background. The dialogue is simple, accessible and ideal for a layperson audience. Nearly all of the characters are exceptional at teaching the reader how everything works. The problem for me was that they sounded more like high school teachers or documentary hosts, rather than actual PhD’s at the top of their disciplines.
The strongest part of the novel is the collaboration and eventual friendship between Ryland and Rocky. Their connection leads to the “cure” to the astrophage. When they are done, the two set course for their home worlds to save them. Both experience engine failures on the way home and Ryland decides to send the cure ahead to Earth via tiny near FTL probes while he turns back to help Rocky.
Rather than return home a hero and save his people, Ryland decides to save his alien buddy and return with him to 40 Eridani. Throughout the novel, it seems Ryland has no friends or family connection on Earth. He is a loner, making the decision to go with Rocky a little less painful. Again, Weir tends to avoid tension or sidestep emotional buildup. At the same time, Ryland’s choice makes sense and leads to a satisfying ending.
Project Hail Mary’s technical problem-solving narrative is exceptionally effective for a hard science fiction novel. The novel achieves what it set out to do. It’s shortcomings from a storytelling perspective really aren’t that problematic in its genre, but does limit it for the broader audience. If you do not love science, the novel is likely to bore you. It is worth giving Weir credit for not trying to do too much or overextending himself in ways that would only expose his limitations as a writer (one’s he openly acknowledges).
Overall, Project Hail Mary is a great read, an exemplary hard science fiction novel that provides a powerful template for others writing in the genre. Keep doing what your doing Andy!