La Crosse County Library discussion
This topic is about
Project Hail Mary
Goodreads Book Club
>
January 2022 Read: Project Hail Mary
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
**Reviews may contain spoilers. Beware.**
Project Hail Mary among top picks for science fiction in 2021 on Goodreads: https://www.businessinsider.com/guide...
The Space Review book review: https://www.thespacereview.com/articl...
USA Today book review: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entert...
The Washington Post book review: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entert...
Mod
The Martian (2011)--also a movie by the same name (2015)
Artemis (2017)
Randomize (2019)
Find these in our catalog at https://sierra-app.wrlsweb.org/iii/ca...
Mod
message 7:
by
BookOwlDevoursBooks (Cora)
(last edited Dec 28, 2021 03:10PM)
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
**Spoiler warning**Such a great read!
My favorite character ended up being Rocky. I loved the friendship he and Dr. Grace strike up in Project Hail Mary. He is just so endearing and willing to do whatever is needed to help Dr. Grace save both Earth and his planet. Overall, alien-human friendships are some of my favorite aspects of sci-fi books, so that's probably part of it, but alas!
As for the ending, it made sense to me in the context and considering Dr. Grace's character. He wasn't willing to leave Rocky behind and return to Earth, and ends up helping him to save his home system. There's also the fact that Dr. Grace ends up teaching science to the alien children of Rocky's planet (talk about full circle!).
My head-canon is that Dr. Grace ends up staying on Rocky's home planet for the rest of his life, because he was quite old by the ending, and making that long journey would be dangerous for him. Nevertheless, as a reader, I found myself wanting more of hearing what happened to Earth, even as we got a glimpse into an alien world.
Earth seems to have solved their solar dimming problem, but that's pretty much all we get. I just want to know what happened during Dr. Grace's mission, the consequences of the long journey. How has society fared?
My slight reservations aside, I really enjoyed this one, even if I didn't always understand the science in the book!
Mod
Such a great read!
My favorite character ended up being Rocky. I loved the friendship he and Dr. Grace strike up in Project Hail Mary. He is just so endearing and willing to d..."
Yes, the science in these books can be a bit overwhelming at times, but it's a fun ride overall! Glad you enjoyed the book.
Mod
I mean it has to be Rocky. There is just no way it can be another since not many other characters got fleshed out. Ryland is kind of a cut out of the author's other main mcs with little details added. Rocky is just Rocky who is supreme.
What was your favorite aspect of the story? Why?
Probably the first contact between Rocky and Grace. Other than the some of the earth flashbacks. I love first contact situations like these ever since I read The Conqueror's by Timothy Zahn and how each species can interpret such. I guess I also liked the evolutionary talk between the two as well.
Did the ending surprise you?
Quite frankly no. I saw it coming a mile a way. The only surprise I guess is trivial in how he lived on Rocky's planet as a teacher to kids.
Dr. Ryland Grace is a former molecular biologist turned science teacher. Did you have any memorable science teachers in school?
Yes, both good and bad. The good was probably an AP teacher of mine.
Would you like to see this book turned into a movie, like The Martian?
Maybe? I don't always like movies with this type of Sci Fi, but seeing Rocky and new planets might draw me in if it is done like Interstellar.
What do you think most fascinates people about space? Would you like to travel space one day?
The vast unknown probably and all these unsolved mysteries that come with it. Maybe a hint of aliens also draws people. I don't think I would want to go to space unless it is on those commercial flights they are starting.
Overall, I did like this book, but I wanted to see more interactions with him and his peers on earth. The setting could set up a whole series with contact between the two species and trying to stop the spread in other systems while looking for intelligent life too.
I also did like a lot of the science and math usage in the book as it is clear the author did his research though felt it sometimes bogged down the story too much. I found myself trying to understand the science behind everything too much.
Mod
As for the ending, I have been seeing a fair amount of commentary that wished that readers could see the aftermath of the book's climax from Earth's perspective. So, you're not alone on that!
Mod
Mod
Yes! Haha
Happy New Year! Our Goodreads Book Club will be starting 2022 with Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. We look forward to the discussion.
Happy reading!
See below for some potential discussion questions
Questions to consider:
Who was your favorite character, and why?
What was your favorite aspect of the story? Why?
Did the ending surprise you?
Dr. Ryland Grace is a former molecular biologist turned science teacher. Did you have any memorable science teachers in school?
Would you like to see this book turned into a movie, like The Martian?
What do you think most fascinates people about space? Would you like to travel space one day?