Is Project Hail Mary worth sticking with?

[Anonymous]

I'm on Chapter 5 listening to the audiobook. Just can't get into it. Should I keep trying or walk away?

[Anonymous]

Look, it's not a great book by any means, but yes, stick with it. It's fun once it gets going.

[Anonymous]

It's my favorite of Weir's novels. But of course I realize not every book is right for every reader.

The wise-cracking problem-solving scientist ("competency p*orn") is kind of Weir's whole thing.

The alternation between present day and backstory has a payoff.

To me the journey was engaging and the conclusion satisfying.

What's giving you trouble?

[Anonymous]

Is he even on the spaceship yet? Keep going! Did you like the Martian? I loved both audiobooks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is he even on the spaceship yet? Keep going! Did you like the Martian? I loved both audiobooks.

No spoilers FFS.

[Anonymous]

I liked the audiobook of Project Hail Mary, but my general take is life is too short if you’re not enjoying it. I don’t think it changes too much in tone as time goes on, so if it were me, I would bail.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I liked it more as it went on

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's my favorite of Weir's novels. But of course I realize not every book is right for every reader.

The wise-cracking problem-solving scientist ("competency p*orn") is kind of Weir's whole thing.

The alternation between present day and backstory has a payoff.

To me the journey was engaging and the conclusion satisfying.

What's giving you trouble?

I’m zoning out on all the science stuff.

[Anonymous]

I loved it so much but if you don’t like the science it’s probably not for you (I don’t know anything about science but he makes it engaging). I’d say keep going until he finds something unexpected.

[Anonymous]

I’m not into science fiction or young adult but I stuck with it and it was a good story. Glad I kept with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's my favorite of Weir's novels. But of course I realize not every book is right for every reader.

The wise-cracking problem-solving scientist ("competency p*orn") is kind of Weir's whole thing.

The alternation between present day and backstory has a payoff.

To me the journey was engaging and the conclusion satisfying.

What's giving you trouble?

I’m zoning out on all the science stuff.

PP. I hear you. I think Weir's target audience (me included) really enjoys that kind of stuff. I don't want to spoil anything for you, but in just a few chapters there will be some developments that may entice you to continue. If you're not into the story by Chapter 10 or so, it's likely not for you.

They just finished filming a movie based on the novel a few months ago. Ryan Gosling is starring in it as Grace. (He was key in getting the movie made.) The movie is set to release in March 2026. If you don't finish the book, but want to see the movie, I'd recommend avoiding anything that could spoil the story for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's my favorite of Weir's novels. But of course I realize not every book is right for every reader.

The wise-cracking problem-solving scientist ("competency p*orn") is kind of Weir's whole thing.

The alternation between present day and backstory has a payoff.

To me the journey was engaging and the conclusion satisfying.

What's giving you trouble?

I’m zoning out on all the science stuff.

Weir probably isn’t the best choice for you.

[Anonymous]

No, I hated that book.

[Anonymous]

I enjoyed it a lot. The audiobook format pays off.