📚 Audiobook Review – Hail Mary by Andy Weir
🎧 Narrated by: Ray Porter
🥃 Rating: ★★★★★
This book blindsided me in the best possible way. I wasn’t expecting to fall for a story that opens with a man waking up alone in a spaceship—but here we are. There’s a bit of mystery, a lot of science, and a surprising amount of heart… which is impressive for a book where one of the main characters isn’t even human.
Ryland Grace is an accidental astronaut with a snarky streak and a heart of gold. He’s alone in space (for reasons I won’t spoil), and the weight of the entire planet rests on his very-unqualified shoulders. Watching him puzzle through each challenge—while recovering memories piece by piece—had me totally hooked. It’s like a sci-fi escape room… except the room is a spaceship and Earth explodes if you fail.
But the real surprise? The friendship. I won’t tell you who (or what) it’s with, but it was the highlight of the book. Funny, touching, and unexpectedly emotional. I legit teared up in the middle of my commute and then immediately laughed through it. That’s talent, y’all.
Also, the science! Normally, I’d glaze over when equations start flying—but Weir makes it approachable, entertaining, and even kind of thrilling. I came for the space drama, stayed for the emotional gut-punches, and left wanting to give an alien a hug.
Narration note: Ray Porter nails it. His performance adds an extra layer of magic, especially when voicing the alien character. The voice, the cadence, the personality—he made a non-human creature feel so alive and distinct, I could practically see him in my mind. It’s one of those narrations that doesn’t just tell the story—it becomes the story.
No comments:
Post a Comment