I Didn’t Come for the Science, But I Stayed
Written By Stephanie Hampton
Young Adult Librarian
Genres are a funny little concept, aren’t they?
I am firmly a fiction girlie. The majority of the books I read fall into the fiction genre, not science fiction, not mystery, not graphic novels, just good old-fashioned fiction. Usually with a female main character. Every once in a while, I’ll venture back into young adult fiction, as I think all adults should. As much as I crave knowledge, enjoy history, and am endlessly curious about the world, nonfiction can be difficult for me to enjoy. I love the immersive nature of fiction, the way you follow one character, or a group of characters, through a specific journey or story.
But a few months ago, when I found myself in a reading rut and already behind on my reading goal, I decided to branch out. In January, I picked up Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I had already started expanding my tastes by reading the mystery His & Hers by Alice Feeney before binge-watching the Netflix miniseries, and I knew Project Hail Mary was being adapted into a film starring Ryan Gosling, an actor I felt fairly neutral about. Still, since Weir also wrote The Martian, a book so many people love, I went in with an open mind and measured expectations.
And then came one of the best feelings a reader can have: realizing, after the first chapter, that you’re reading a winner.
As I read, I could vividly envision the characters and their interactions, brought to life through Andy Weir’s engaging detail and compelling plot. I found myself deeply invested in Ryland Grace and his mission to save the world. This unlikely hero made me care about physics, science, aliens, things I initially assumed I wouldn’t be interested in or even understand. The book leans heavily into scientific concepts, and there were definitely moments when I regretted not paying more attention in chemistry class. Still, those elements never felt alienating, just fascinating.
With the recent excitement surrounding NASA’s real-life Artemis II mission, I found myself even more appreciative of how this book reignited my dormant interest in space and science. It reminded me how awe-inspiring and dangerous space exploration truly is, and how it represents the boundless potential of human curiosity and discovery. At its core, though, the story never loses sight of what matters most: friendship.
I’m typically a tough critic when it comes to adaptations, especially when the source material is this strong. But I can honestly say the filmmakers behind Project Hail Mary got it right. This is what a book-to-film adaptation should look like. The level of care, craftsmanship, and attention to detail is evident throughout. The creative liberties taken felt intentional and necessary, enhancing rather than detracting from the original story.
Most importantly, the film clearly respects its readers. Instead of relying on generic or uninspired CGI, the character of Rocky, the heart of the story, feels just as dynamic and real as the human actors. That care shines through in every scene.
In other words, they nailed it.
If you take a trip to the movies this year, make it Project Hail Mary. See it on the biggest screen you can. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb and allow yourself to fully disconnect. Immerse yourself in the experience. Sometimes, the best kind of escape is the one that takes you out of your house and into a theater, and, in this case, far beyond it.
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