I should emphasize that last point. This is a hard science fiction novel, and an unapologetic one at that. Clement's references aren't all scientific, and some of them will be quite amusing to Golden Age SF fans. Also, Clement's characters have clearly read more Heinlein than I have, if the number of quotes tossed about is any indication. I haven't read a true hard SF novel in a long time, and at times reading Half Life felt like exercising long-unused muscles.
Half Life is an eye-opener in more ways than one.
Keep an eye out for it yourself.