Andy Weir's “Project Hail Mary” - it's made every single best-of lists and a lot of non-sf best of 2021 lists from literary magazines - heck, it made Obama's best of 2021 list. Yes, I enjoyed it, it's “The Martian” Part 2 - and we know everyone liked that. But. That's also why I wouldn't put it at my personal top slot for 2021 releases - I felt like it was more of the same, it's The Martian but just add Friday to Robinson Crusoe - it's like Weir did his own fan fiction. But, that's why everyone likes it (he did reach in his 2nd novel, and everyone hated that one, so, I don't blame him for returning to form). And, face it, it's a heckva lot of fun - go ahead, I recommend it, you won't be disappointed, read it, and chances are, it'll be on your best list.
This book has two major premises: (1) American irrationality is as old as the republic itself, older. It's as American as apple pie. (2) Right wing and Christian ascendency and imperviousness to facts share a common origin with left wing hippie culture of the 1960s, i.e. create your own reality. However you weigh the accuracy of the arguments, this book is a delight to read in both its accessibility and its inspiration.
The book certainly spoke to my library fetish, and the author surely did her homework and sprinkled the book with all kinds of NYPL history and trivia. Part family drama (although really focused on 2 individuals) and part mystery. Honestly, the family drama has been done better (check out Hala Alyan's The Arsonist's City) and the mystery is very guessable (clues are there - kudos to the author), overall, it's a satisfying read. There's a feminist aspect, but that thrust is blunted by its historical nature somewhat, but I appreciated the attempt to grapple with the possible conflicts between family and self-realization. Honestly, read it for the library history and the lions' backstory.
First, this really needs to be said: this book owes a huge intellectual debt to Ray Bradbury's seminal story “I Sing the Body Electric” - certainly in theme and concern, some plot elements, and, I must say, the final scenes recall that 60s story quite a bit. OK, now that I said that, this is an excellent book and I'd recommend it to anyone without reservation. A story about love, humanity, caring, and ... AI (thus Bradbury) and, the world seen through the eyes of a ‘new' being (like Shelley's Frankenstein, i.e. the book). Top it off with some wry off-stage musing about religion. The writing from Nobel winner Ishiguro is top shelf, naturally. The book exudes positivity, at times wistful, at times nearly exuberant.
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