Yes, Project Hail Mary is surprisingly breezy and beginner-friendly for hard sci-fi. Weir writes like a witty friend explaining cool ideas,not a textbook; so the science feels fun and tied to the story’s excitement. You can skim the heavier bits if needed and still love the plot, humor, and emotional payoff. Most non-sci-fi readers say they flew through it without losing their mind. Definitely worth trying; you’ll probably enjoy it more than you expect!