Harry V. Keefe '39 Library Media Center, Boston Latin School: Wolfpack Reads!

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - 4.5/5 stars

Published: 2021, Ballantine Books

Genre: Science Fiction / Apocalyptic Fiction

Reviewer: Aliana K., Class II

Your Next Unforgettable (and absolutely hilarious!) Read

.   This book is available at BLS. Get it today!

“The whole world put you in charge of solving this problem, and you came directly to a junior high school science teacher?”

“Yes.”

Andy Weir has done it again in his latest novel, Project Hail Mary: at times witty, nerdy, laugh-out-loud hilarious (yes, actually) and yet strikingly human, the story follows middle school teacher Ryland Grace as he works to save all of humanity before it draws its last breath---except he doesn’t know that yet. Waking up with amnesia and stranded in The Middle of Nowhere, Outer Space, Ryland slowly begins to recall pieces of his mission, and its stakes. With the only other human being possibly millions of light-years away, he’s got to save humanity from extinction, all on his own.

Or does he?

What I loved most about Project Hail Mary was the scientific research done by Weir presented through the narration of an endearing and lovable middle school teacher. What makes a good Sci-Fi novel into a great one is when the science can stand on its own. More than just that, he makes everything very accessible and non-daunting so that even those not familiar with science understand. The middle school teacher has a familiar, everyday narration that connects the reader almost instantly, alongside a generous dose of sarcastic and self-deprecating humor as a coping mechanism. Being a teacher of younger pupils, Grace has a habit of using only child-friendly exclamations, which makes for a humorous contrast between his circumstances and his reactions. 

While the rest of the novel flows beautifully and everything is perfectly plausible, the end disappoints as it seems incongruent with the clear logic of the rest of the novel. By no means should this deter you from reading Project Hail Mary! The novel is absolutely fantastic and has been my favorite for at least a year now, and counting (despite the number of other wonderful Sci-Fi books I’ve read since). It’s a beautifully composed, absolutely hilarious novel, and I’m sure you won’t be able to put it out of your mind for a long time after. I strongly, strongly recommend this book to anyone!