• Project Hail Mary

  • By: Andy Weir
  • Narrated by: Ray Porter
  • Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (167,079 ratings)

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Project Hail Mary  By  cover art

Project Hail Mary

By: Andy Weir
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Interview: Andy Weir Is on a Mission to Create an Unpausable Story

'I'm like, ''Wait a minute! Disasters are where books come from!'''
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  • Project Hail Mary
  • 'I'm like, ''Wait a minute! Disasters are where books come from!'''

Editorial review


By Sam Danis, Audible Editor

PROJECT HAIL MARY IS THE INTERGALACTIC BROMANCE WE DIDN'T KNOW WE NEEDED

Andy Weir’s debut novel The Martian was such a resounding hit, not only among genre fans but also the reading and listening public at large, that it seemed unlikely if not impossible for Weir to top himself. He’d already achieved what so many authors strive for their whole career. So when Project Hail Mary was first pitched as very much in the same vein as The Martian, I approached the title with both excitement (I’ll listen to anything by Andy) and a healthy dose of skepticism. I knew I’d likely enjoy it immensely, as I did with Artemis, but how could any listen compare?

But then, with a plot like this—a lone astronaut on a seemingly doomed mission—and a narrator like Ray Porter, it did seem promising. I wasn’t prepared for the reality that this listen might (dare I say it?) be even better than The Martian. Ryland Grace is an entirely different type of character for Weir—a bit of a "Boy Scout," as Weir put it when I interviewed him back in 2021, earnest to a fault and lacking the self-assured swagger of Watney. But this is precisely what makes him relatable. As listeners, we admired Watney; we identify with Grace.

As with most new titles at Audible, I got my hands on the manuscript before I had a chance to listen. This is always a bit of a catch-22 for an editor. I want so badly to dive into the book, but I’d much prefer to hear it, especially with Ray Porter—one of the all-time greats in sci-fi & fantasy—at the helm. I ended up starting the story in print, just long enough to discover that a key element of the story was sound-based (hint: alien language), and that’s when I immediately stopped and determined that I had to hear it for the full effect. Ray Porter is as amazing as ever in this performance. What I love about Ray is his range—he’s got snark, sarcasm, and comedic timing down to a science, but that means he can also catch you off guard with his skill for emotional intensity. This being a rather high-stakes story, that deftness of performance makes all the difference.

Continue reading Sam's review >

Publisher's summary

Winner of the 2022 Audie Awards' Audiobook of the Year

Number-One Audible and New York Times Audio Best Seller

More than one million audiobooks sold

A lone astronaut must save the earth from disaster in this incredible new science-based thriller from the number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Martian.

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission - and if he fails, humanity and the Earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn't know that. He can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time. And he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, he realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Alone on this tiny ship that's been cobbled together by every government and space agency on the planet and hurled into the depths of space, it's up to him to conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And thanks to an unexpected ally, he just might have a chance.

Part scientific mystery, part dazzling interstellar journey, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian - while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

PLEASE NOTE: To accommodate this audio edition, some changes to the original text have been made with the approval of author Andy Weir.

©2021 Andy Weir (P)2021 Audible Studios

Featured Article: Take an Unforgettable Journey with These Exciting Action and Adventure Listens


Who doesn't love a story with a little adventure—or maybe a lot? No matter your age, there’s something truly engrossing about a tale that’s a nonstop adrenaline rush. If you’re anything like us, you just can’t press pause on those daring storylines and intrepid characters that compel you to keep listening until the thrilling conclusions. Here are action and adventure audiobooks for both adults and kids that will keep you hooked and have your heart racing.

What listeners say about Project Hail Mary

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Bazinga

I enjoyed both The Martian and Artemis so I pre-ordered this one and started it immediately. It did not disappoint. Andy Weir is one of my favorite authors and Ray Porter is one of my favorite narrators so this combination is a win-win. The narration is superb and the writing is great. I recommend this book. Don't over think it. This is worth the price of admission.

Disclaimer: My enjoyment of the narrator is based on my listening speed. I only leave 5 stars for books I've listened to or will listen to multiple times.

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644 people found this helpful

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I love Andy Weir and Ray Porter

Andy Weir is at his absolute best when he’s spouting off insane scientific technobabble with a main character that feels simply like a smarter version of the rest of us. Maybe not even smarter, maybe simply more knowledgeable. Space and the science related to it are his happy place and we’re all the better for it. Ray Porter has so much ability to not only narrate a story but make us feel as if we’re the ones experiencing it. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of listening to the entire Bobiverse line of audiobooks then finish this and immediately go to them. Perfect narrator for a perfect setting. I haven’t quite finished the book yet, so no spoilers or definitive reviews of the story but I absolutely love where it’s going and can’t wait to hear the rest. Keep the hits coming Mr. Weir.

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354 people found this helpful

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Can we just have Ray Porter narrate EVERYTHING? even my grocery list?

Ah, what a joy this book was!
The story is as fantastic and entertaining as any of Weir's books, but what really knocks it off the park is Ray Porter's narration. He’s just the perfect (and only, in my opinion!) narrator choice for this book.

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342 people found this helpful

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Sorry Johansson, here there is no disco

On the other hand, similarities with The Martian include a lone man in space science-ing the sh!t out of life-threatening circumstances. Weir’s trademark blend of science and humor occasionally had me hearing astronaut Mark Watney instead of MC Ryland Grace, even with the different, phenomenal narrator that is Ray Porter. But, don’t pass on this book thinking it’s just a Martian variation. This story is spectacularly fresh, full-credit worthy, and dare I say better than The Martian! This is Bill Nye the Science Guy as the hero in Armageddon, with (mostly) real science delivered in an entertaining manner only possible from Andy Weir. Oh, and we may not get disco, but we do get a little Beatles, and the greatness of Rocky. That’s all you get- anything more would spoil this outstanding story.

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312 people found this helpful

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Never Gets Old

I have listened to this book hundreds of times and it never gets old. Andy is becoming one of my favorite authors. his creativity in the writing is awesome. I love how the MC in this one is almost the exact opposite of Mark Watney in his last book "The Martian".
I also love how he writes about the science. It never feels like the explanations are forced and they are always explained in a way that anyone can follow along and not get lost.
The Icing on the cake for this book had to be Ray Porter. His performance was absolutely perfectly done. So well in fact that if this ever becomes a series on tv or a movie, I'd want the actor playing Grace to do it exactly how Ray did.
Best money I ever spent on a book. cant wait till the next one!

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217 people found this helpful

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Absolutely Great... way better than Artemis

Awesome story telling. Great build up of the characters and universe. Can't compare to The Martian as that was novel/unique, but this absolutely crushes Artemis. Reminds me of a cross between Old Man's War and the Three Body Problem (but slightly less cerebral than the latter).

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158 people found this helpful

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Highest Order of Geekgasm Medal

Let me start off by saying that I strongly enjoyed The Martian and Artemis (please, please don't let the negative comments of others dissuade you from reading Artemis). Until yesterday, American Gods was my unrivaled favorite; as of finishing Project Hail Mary, it is now tied for my very favorite. I will not provide spoilers, but if you enjoy good science fiction (Scalzi, Taylor, Adams) and understand that what makes good science fiction is good science, get Project Hail Mary.

As for Ray Porter, I fell in love with his narration of We Are Legion (We Are Bob) and its sequels. His enthusiastic, geeky, humorous, witty, and sarcastic tones are an absolute delight to my ears. No other narrator could have done as well or better.

I don't regret preordering both the audiobook and a signed copy of Project Hail Mary in the slightest. To the contrary, I am elated and am looking forward to listening to this audiobook many, many times.

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Good, but not at Martian level

While the Martian is quite scientifically correct, this story is more about fantasy than science. And as a fantasy sci-fi, it does not really stand out as the story is not really novel nor innovative.

If you haven't read a lot of sci-fi, this book could be a good pick. If you have, the story could be a bit boring

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A fantastic return to form

In this new title Andy Weir is coming back home to what made the martian such a breakout hit. One smart guy, in an impossible, incredibly hostile situation that has to "science" it out. And while it maintains that same DNA there's enough different here in context and objective that the problems our protagonist deals with remain novel and engaging.

There's not much I can say negative about it. The only thing maybe is that this book is structured in present day/flashback style and while the present day story is always highly engaging and interesting the flashbacks can drag a bit to the point where anytime the story cuts to the past you get a little upset.

Other than that, just a really fantastic and fun story.

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  • AC
  • 05-26-21

I just don't understand people

I am not trying to make this a commentary on the state of division in society, but reading reviews for this book makes me drift to thinking about how very different people are, which is just perplexing to me. This book is great, the main reason I listen to SF is to escape the craziness we live. It is called SF for a reason. If I don't like a book I just simply won't continue listening, but I truly hope someone else may find it entertaining. Maybe I'm just not a negative person, which is an absurd description of me according to my wife. I enjoyed this book more than The Martian, a book that blew my mind the first time I listened to it. I wish audible could allow every reviewer to have a quick link of their top 10 or even 3 favorite books. It would really help in deciding whether or not I trust an opinion. If you are looking for an escape, this book is perfect in my humble opinion.

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89 people found this helpful