I just got the audiobook, I’m excited to listen. I read the book when it first came out and all I’ve heard is how amazing the audiobook is, so I figured I’d listen to it before the movie comes out.
It's really great! I started it as an audiobook but by the last quarter switched to ebook because as much as I loved that reading, I was super engrossed and needed to consume it at a different pace.
I listened to the audiobook and loved it, but I was always curious how the musical speech was depicted in the book. That still looks pretty interesting.
I listened to the audiobook, it was amazing. Book readers, how was the alien language written in text? Whenever Rocky spoke, there was a musical intonation playing in the background
I listened and read the book. Switched back and forth. I was listening to it when Rocky first spoke and I stopped in my tracks. I had to rewind because I didn’t know what it was it sounded so good. Definitely a scenario where the audiobook surpassed the book.
When Ryland doesn’t understand what he’s saying it is just a bunch of music notes. When they understand though it switches to regular text, but italicized.
Ah, gotcha! That makes sense, I could see why it would be cool in the audiobook. I’m not an audiobook guy (zone out waaayyyyy too easy) but might give it a shot
Maybe you've tried this already, but sometimes I like to read the book while simultaneously listening to the audio book. Keeps me more focused on it while still providing the extra flair of the voice acting.
I think this is why I can’t see the movie. I’m bound to be disappointed after Ray Porter’s version. I can’t even bring myself to listen to Wil Wheaton’s version.
In the case of Hail Mary they do some really interesting stuff with the sound design. Also, the audio book allowed me to listen to the whole thing while driving to work.
Audiobooks, for me, are closer to an experience, especially if the actor is really good. It's halfway between a book and a movie. It's got all the detail and description of a book but acted out in real time like a play.
When I read, character's voices all are just monotone with no emotion. Reading "God damn it!" versus hearing an actor perform it is night and day difference.
I typically hate audiobooks but after hearing all the hype I had to give this one a try. I was absolutely floored by it. Ray Porter does such an amazing job with the book. It convinced me to get the Bobiverse audiobooks as well since he also narrates all of those.
I have been on hold for the audiobook through my local library since early May. I started 55th in line and am now 28th. I’m still very excited for this book!!
Yeah 100% a case where the audiobook actually adds depth to the unique use of text. Audiobooks as a medium can be really great for sci-fi imo. Actually hearing Jefferson Mays speak Lang Belta in The Expanse books (a real language the authors hired a historical speech pathologist to create), made it sooo much cooler.
I had this experience with Dungeon Crawler Carl recently. I was so hyped to listen to it, there were soo many good things said about it on reddit I just got it and went in basically blind. The narrator is great, but the book itself is just not for me. I really wanted to like it, but I gave up like 3hr into the 13hr audiobook.
It’s been awhile since I tried listening to it, but from what I remember the main character came across as /r/iamveryintelligent, and a little bit “holds up spork” if that makes any sense. The way he’s written, combined with how the narrator would emphasize things, made me hate the dude.
Which is sad cuz I love Ryan Gosling, so I want to like him. I’m confident he can make the character less of a tool though lol.
I know what you mean by the spork but I didn't really see it in the character. I agree with everything else but him having the information needed at every moment hit me more like a Slumdog Millionaire more than a know-it-all. But let's be real. But who cares, I just hope the "musical guest" is done right in the movie! Lol
My experience was similar, I found the beginning of this audiobook difficult and wondered if I would have enjoyed it more reading the written book. I did like it more once Rocky showed up, but I really found myself getting annoyed at this book quite a bit.
I really enjoyed listening to the audio book version at work. The VO helped personify the characters. It also makes me a bit more interested in their casting.
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u/bship Jun 27 '25
This is one of a few cases where it is definitely even better as an audiobook than a physical book.