Good, good, good! On why "Project Hail Mary" was truly interesting

PROJECT HAIL MARY

Recently, I've been a bit busy with work.
Well, it happens every year, but at work it's just "output", "output", "output~!", so I haven't really felt like writing on "note" (← that's just an excuse, isn't it?)

At times like that, there's nothing better than "input", so for the past two weeks, in addition to books, I've been reading manga and watching movies, anime, and dramas, but for some reason, they were all "SF" (science fiction) lol.
I guess I just like stories that involve imagination. Yes. (I'm not into delusions... I hope)

This time, I'm going to "note" about one of the SF books I read during this "input" period, "Project Hail Mary".

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"Project Hail Mary" is the third novel by Andy Weir, and it became a bestseller as soon as it was published in the US in 2021, with a film adaptation already decided.
It was released in Japan last December as well, and it's been getting quite a reputation.

Speaking of the author Andy Weir, he is also famous for his debut novel "The Martian", which was adapted into a hit movie in 2015 (titled "The Martian") directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon.

"The Martian" is a legendary book that was originally serialized on Weir's own website, then published on Kindle, where it became a huge sensation and was eventually made into a movie.

" The Martian" was also really interesting, wasn't it?

It's a story about the survival of an astronaut left alone on Mars, and while the movie was good, the original book is 20% more interesting (personal opinion).

Various difficulties arise, but what's interesting is that the protagonist never gets pessimistic (or rather, stays optimistic...) in any situation and overcomes them with various ideas.
Of course, he fails and gets down sometimes, but he never gives up!
In the original book, the protagonist's humor is even more abundant than in the movie, and you can't help but empathize with this super-positive thinking.

So, as for "Project Hail Mary",

It was even more interesting!

That is my honest impression.

To borrow a line from the protagonist

Good, good, good!

That is all.

To explain the appeal of this "Project Hail Mary", for those who have read "The Martian":

1. The protagonist is almost the same!

It feels like the protagonist of "The Martian" is back! His personality is almost identical, so you can read through it very enjoyably with that same witty narrative style.

2. The scale of the story is huge!

There are plenty of scenes that make you use your sci-fi imagination. This point definitely exceeds the scale of "The Martian", and this absurdity is what further enhances the sci-fi feel.

3. Trial and error to solve difficulties

Just as it was in "The Martian", it is the protagonist's ideas that break through difficult situations. In this "Project Hail Mary" as well, various experiments and trial and error (sometimes including failures) are carried out to overcome various difficulties. It is interesting that while there are large-scale parts, the real battle is fought in the lab. This is where the science is.

4. Heart-pounding developments!

In "The Martian", the final act was quite heart-pounding, but "Project Hail Mary" is also quite heart-pounding. (I was moved to tears three times lol)

Also, for those who don't know "The Martian":

◎ Safe sci-fi design!

Scientific theories and such appear, but it is very easy to read even if you are not familiar with them. If anything, you can skip over parts and it won't hinder the story, so you can read it with peace of mind. The protagonist's experiments and trial and error, which are one of the highlights, feel like a continuation of our current lives, so they are easy to imagine. It is probably the perfect book for people who like stories about using quick wit to escape crises, such as those seen on "The World's Astonishing News!", "Miracle Experience! Unbelievable", or "THE Breakthrough File"!

◎ And a movie adaptation is in the works!

Believe it or not, a movie adaptation starring Ryan Gosling is in the works! Once it's made into a movie, I think it will probably feel like a mix of "The Martian", "Interstellar", and maybe "2001: A Space Odyssey"... maybe "Arrival" too... (Oops, maybe I said too much lol)

I haven't introduced the plot at all, but since the story begins with the protagonist waking up in a state of amnesia, I think the best way to read it is to avoid reading the synopsis and go on the adventure together with the protagonist.

Project Hail Mary is highly acclaimed, and since it includes solid scientific elements and is one of the best science fiction entertainment novels out there, if you are interested, you should definitely read it before the movie is released!

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