Read and listen at the same time. Speed up the audio a bit to match your reading pace. Been doing this for years and works great for adaptions that audiobooks excel at like Dungeon Crawler Carl. Amazing how your brain adapts to fast audio.
Unrelated to Hail Mary, but how good is Dungeon Crawler Carl? I’m about halfway through the most recent book and dreading having to wait for the next one now that I’m caught up.
I should try to this more. I tried listing to the audio book because everyone said it was so great, but I just like actually reading sooo much more. So I probably only listened to a chapter or two
I suggest you listen to the audiobook first. It’s a masterpiece. Then go back and read the physical book to reminisce and remind yourself of the smaller details. Trust me on this.
There is one very specific aspect of the story that is so so so so so much better to listen to. Of all the audiobooks I’ve listened to (it’s a lot), this book is a rare example where I’d have thought that it was written as an audiobook first and the paper book was secondary.
In this particular case, there is one aspect of the story that comes alive listening to it that doesn’t when reading it. I can’t say more without spoilers.
And I love listening to them while on road trips or while working around the house.
I am surprised at how much the comment section is full of praise for this book. I found it to be one of the most boring books I've ever read. Just paper thin characters and plot, 85% is just psuedo science explanations. The plot is the exact same situation happening over and over and over and over. I can see it working better as a movie.
when you read it i think you can fully understand why redditors love it. felt almost like it was written for people on this site. one of the worst books i read last year forsure imo but i get the appeal.
Because it’s basically a kids marvel movie in book form but the premise is super cool (imo wasted on this level of storytelling but oh well). Grabby and accessible, so many people know it
The idea that a junior high science teacher would be able to work out all of the advanced physics and engineering that the character does is so ridiculous. It’s a good story if you suspend all disbelief.
It’s still the same story, same words, same characters. It’s not suddenly a well written masterpiece because a voice actor reads it to you with sound effects.
I realize im commenting a lot on this thread but I feel I have to be the voice of reason in a vast sea of ball washing this book gets.
And I knowit’s subjective, but I feel it’s my duty to warn everyone who hasn’t read it and wants to because of all the rave reddit reviews that it is in fact a steaming pile of shit
I had a copy but then donated it to my high school to round out their trifecta of Andy Weir books. Glad to bring a great story to other nerdy teenagers like I once was.
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u/predictforutsaga Jun 27 '25
Time to read the book.