Project Hail Mary

This was a pretty shocking read both in terms of the quality of the novel itself but also considering how it has near universal praise.

I was very surprised at first that this read more like cosy sci-fi than the hard science fiction that I was led to believe that Andy Weir wrote.

At first it felt like a bit of a school science teachers wet dream a sort of remake of Under Seige where instead of a bunch of terrorists it's some intergalactic bug and our protagonist is “just” a school teacher rather than just the “cook”. However, there was far more drama and tension in that crappy old film than in this book despite the stakes being the survival of everyone on the planet.

None of the characters have anyone other than tired stereotypical traits. Our protagonist is practically invincible and able to do everything, ‘cause that's what science teachers do.

I'm fine with cosy fiction and quite like unlikely hero's saving the world but this was such a hard read. Felt more like a giant vanity project read more like pretty poor YA, not that I'm dissing YA.

Don't think I'll be risking another one of his.