🚀 go-pugleaf

Neil, I concur on things with small columns, like newsprint for example, but you don't end up with any of those issues you mentioned in body copy of wider widths. I'm not saying you take one line to 74% width to make it fit. I'm talking overall adjustment for space. I find getting a 'hanger' up etc. usually only takes a fine adjustment, .5% or less. Mostly I mean brochures, catalog pages etc. I find hyphens in such small amount of copy distracting and (personal opinion based on my own aesthetic) it makes me assume the designer didn't take much time. If upping the point size .1 pt, adjusting width by .2%, gets me a nice even, non-hyphenated sleek looking piece of body copy, I think it's worth the extra five minutes of adjustments and soft returns.
I also concur that this particular project is probably going to end up looking badly for all the reasons you mentioned on an 8 page, 3 column grid. I was just chiming in-defense of not wanting/liking hyphens. Weird to be backing up a client, kind of like waking up in the neighbors house. Anyway.
If the client was truly against hyphens I would suggest that this issue is out, but next issue switch to a 2 column where it will be easier to accomplish without looking foul.
It's why we get paid the "big bucks" (LOL), taking the random incongruent wants desires needs and resources of the client and making something that still looks professional and appealing.