"Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir caters to readers who crave intricate details, akin to someone explaining the inner workings of a watch when asked for the time. As someone with a physics degree, I found the level of detail somewhat excessive and beyond my personal interest. Do I really need to know the calculation details to have a centrifugal force of 1.5g?
In terms of writing, my assessment may be biased due to a recent encounter with the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Trust." Transitioning from the eloquence of a golden-throated orator in "Trust" to the narrative style of "Project Hail Mary" felt like shifting from a polished speaker to a conversationalist at a bar, albeit one who tends to over-explain.
The story unfolds through the perspective of Ryland Grace, who, in a state of induced coma, awakens with two long-deceased shipboard companions. Struggling to recall even his own name, Ryland grapples with the mystery of his companions' identities and the purpose of his presence on the ship.
Gradually, Ryland recovers his memories, realizing that a celestial anomaly threatens Earth's existence, necessitating this space journey as a desperate attempt to find a solution in another star system. To its credit, the narrative has unconventional space sci-fi ideas, shifting the threat from extraterrestrial beings to a peculiar single-cell life form resembling algae, thriving in temperatures akin to those on a star's surface.
Around a quarter into the book, Ryland forms an alliance with an intelligent life form, embarking on a collaborative adventure to unravel a mystery that threatens two worlds. This dynamic duo transforms the narrative into an interesting buddy adventure, redeeming the book's overall appeal.
