Andy Weir has succeeded in writing another suspenseful, funny, captivating science fiction novel. He starts with a couple of great premises: person waking up in a space craft with amnesia, a single-celled organism absorbing the energy of our sun, which could lead to an extinction event for humans on earth, and our human protagonist meeting an extraterrestrial alien, and working to save both of our species. These plot ideas are great material in Weir’s hands. What makes this quite a success is the protagonist, Ryland Grace, and his relationships with the project manager of Project Hail Mary, the attempt to save humanity, Eva Stratt; and the alien from Erid, whom Grace names Rocky. Those two relationships, and how each person works with Grace to push the project to success, are the source of all humor and suspense, the main drivers of the plot.

I am not a scientist (psychology doesn’t count here) so I cannot critique the scientific inaccuracies Weir has described. I must leave that for others better qualified than I. The book does hold up to what I recall from my classes in high school, college, and other reading. It is the work of a science fiction novelist to take what is known and stretch it out to encompass what is possible or believable. Star Trek introduced viewers to technology that doesn’t exist, but it seemed plausible someday, and didn’t hurt our sensibilities. As long as Weir doesn’t commit any egregious science errors that those equipped with my basic level of knowledge can detect, he has done his job. In fact, as Grace explains research findings to Stratt, and as Grace problem solves with Rocky, Weir uses those discussions to lay out much “knowledge” about astrophage (star eater, named by Grace), as well as discovering with Rocky what could solve their mutual astrophage problem, the single-celled organism they name Taumoeba (amoeba found in solar system of Tau Ceti.) Grace explains alot of science to Stratt, who lacks a science background, and to Rocky, who is an alien from a very different planet. I think Weir does a good job of using these two ongoing dialogues to give the reader plenty of science background to keep pace with discovery and suspense.

Grace is sent on the Hail Mary with Russian and Chinese astronauts, both of whom die in transit, to the system of Tau Ceti, about 13 light years away from Earth, where astrophage is not eating the star’s energy. In fact, it is the only star humans have detected that is not diminishing in brightness. Grace arrives about the same time as Rocky’s ship. He is from Erid, whose star is also being eaten. His civilization never discovered radiation, so Rocky’s entire crew of 23 died of radiation poisoning, leaving Rocky alone. Grace and Rocky have many hurtles to cross, such as the fact that Rocky’s atmosphere is mostly ammonia, and his gravity is twice Earth’s. Being in the same room is seemingly impossible. Rocky’s language is a series of musical notes and chords to Earthing’s ears. With Grace’s science skills and knowledge, and Rocky’s superior engineering skills, the duo get to the place where they can begin to address the astrophage problem to save their own folks at home. Both characters work well together, are positive, driven, and very funny. Their unlikely relationship is the heart of this novel.

Some readers may find the extended science discussions a drag, but I urge you to persevere and get into it. The story is definitely worth it, and Ryland Grace is a great character to get to know. This has successful movie written all over it. Please make sure you read the book before that comes out. Since I enjoy nerdy books like this, Weir’s book is my favorite of 2021 to date. Highly recommend.