Why it endured
An astronaut is accidentally left behind on Mars and must use science and ingenuity to survive. Compulsively readable hard science fiction that makes problem-solving feel heroic.
What they're saying
3 people recommend this book
“I rarely give out 5/5, but this book was SO. GOOD. My usual complaints about many sci-fi books is that they spend a lot of time frolicking around with extended descriptions of vistas or facial features, or other basic literature mambo jambo. Instead, I am drawn to technical consistency, details and intriguing ideas. If you're like me, you will LOVE this book - it gets very nerdy very fast and stays that way for the entire duration of the book. The book offers a thrilling ride filled with science, calculations, and humor mixed in. There are many references to technical details spanning chemistry, biophysics, mechanical engineering, orbital mechanics, etc. The result is a believable and consistent backdrop that envelops the story. I had a lot of fun, found plenty food for thought, and I learned a lot! What else can you ask for? 5/5. 5/5”
“He reminded me a lot of Mark Watney, the protagonist in The Martian. The two books deal with similar themes about how people work together in challenging situations, although the big difference with Project Hail Mary is that not all of the collaborators are human.”
“I’ve always got collections of science fiction. I finished The Martian, which was decent, but I felt like it went on a little too long. I know it’s a very popular book with some people.”