Second time through this one and still – so so good and laugh out loud worthy ~Sheila
When Ryland Grace awakens, he has no idea where he is and, for that matter, who he is. All he knows is that he has been asleep for a long, long time.
As memories begin to return, he realizes he is on a spaceship, millions of miles from Earth… and in the company of two corpses – his flight mates that did not fare as well as he did.
Memories of earth and what got him here, as well as investigating the vessel that has been his home for 4 years, the fuzzy thoughts just out of reach start to clear… he is on a mission to find the answers to save earth from certain destruction… but he wasn’t meant to do it alone… and he is alone.
Or is he?
Holy all things giddy – I am so thrilled to have a chance to talk about this amazing book (in my case, audio). When this was selected last month as our Bookies Book Club read for September, I was looking forward to a review of this one that I had listened to years ago. While I remember I enjoyed it – I had forgotten how much.
The audio – the narration – the loads of funny moments and snarky comments…. absolutely a joy. Instead of feeling this was a do-over, it felt new… so much I had forgotten.
“Knock-knock-knock
No, that’s not creepy at all. Being in a spaceship twelve light-years from home and having someone knock on the door is totally normal.”
― Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary
“I pull the sheet off the bed and wrap it around my torso a couple of times. I pull one corner over my shoulder from behind my back and tie it to another from the front. Instant toga.
“Self-ambulation detected,” says the computer. “What’s your name?”
“I am Emperor Comatose. Kneel before me.”
“Incorrect.”
― Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary
You don’t need to be a fan of science fiction to enjoy this one – you bet there are scientific terms, but if I say science can be fun, believe me. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much listening to a book.
Hail Mary is set to be a movie coming March 2026. Ryan Gosling is playing Ryland, and I think that is a perfect choice. I will definitely be going to see this. Our Book Club is reviewing this tonight, and I will have another post of the fun food (I have some ideas!) and the discussion as well as their overall rating – stay tuned. 🙂
I recommend Hail Mary for everyone – an absolute delight, and if you are an audio person, I highly recommend that. AMAZE!!!!
Rated: 5 out of 5 – I was going to rate a little lower, but dang… I really enjoyed this
Read Author Before: Yes (The Martian – also a 5 out ot 5)
Read Author Again: I would! Bring it on, space boy!
Who Should Read This: Honestly, everyone… It’s refreshingly different, it’s fun and ummmm Ryan Gosling 😉


It’s a while since I listened to it but I do remember bits and pieces and i really liked the ending.
Same here – enjoyed the second time around and excited for the movie!
I am with you on this one. I read the print version and thoroughly enjoyed it (and I’m not a science fiction person).
Our book club met last night. We had a few that struggled in the beginning but in the end they for the most part enjoyed it and rated it high.
Is it really bad that I still haven’t read The Martian?
Its a little bad – lol. I think you would enjoy it. I cant remember if you do audio. If you do – HIGHLY recommend audio for both of them 🙂
Just reading the description I thought it sounded like it should be a movie. Humor in science fiction is the best!
So so good!
I am glad you reviewed this. I haven’t read Hail Mary or The Martian. One thing that might hold me back from this book is the length, around 500 pages? I do read science fiction but not a lot. I don’t know why I did not read The Martian. A lot of reviews talk about the math and science in these books but that should not bother me because I was a math major and a systems analyst (before retiring). Assuming I could get copies and fit them into my reading, should I read The Martian first or does it matter?
TracyK at Bitter Tea and Mystery
I get it! That can be a big book! I did audio… didnt even catch how big the book was 🙂