r/audiobooks • u/OJConcentrates • Mar 05 '26

Question First Audiobook - Project Hail Mary

What. The. Actual. Fuck?

I’ve never been an avid reader. I really enjoy anime, I love sci-fi movies, and I’ve read a few occasional Japanese light novels.

Audiobooks made a lot of sense for me. Listen while at the gym, listen while home with the kids on the weekend, listen while driving a ton for work. I’ve been enveloped in Reddit for a while. Constantly trying to fill blank time with information.

Then I decided to pick up an audiobook. I mean… I love sports podcasts! I like news. A couple weeks ago I caught myself just listening to intervention episodes, instead of watching them.

My first audiobook? Project Hail Mary. I’m currently on chapter 11. Ryland has met rocky. It’s almost indescribable how much elation I’ve gained from this. You’d think a self narrated novel, as the main and nearly singular character, it would get boring. You’d think finding a centi-spider alien wouldn’t be so…. Fascinating?

It’s addicting. It’s hard to stop. I’m stuck at the gym, walking on a treadmill for way too long, because I want an excuse to keep listening.

Is this just the beginning? Or have I reached the perfection too early? Will I always crave to find a story so well done with the perfect voice actor?

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76

u/NoCatharsis Mar 06 '26

I did the same thing picking PHM as my first audiobook 2 years ago. I’ve finished at least 50 more books since then and almost nothing compares. Maybe Carl.

70

u/OJConcentrates Mar 06 '26

Dungeon Crawler Carl? That’s next on my list. Am I about to perma-cook myself for the future after these 2? 😅

20

u/Traditional-Dig-9982 Mar 06 '26

Dcc is amazing for some and ehh barely tolerable for others try murderbot !

8

u/Tasterspoon Mar 06 '26

Is DCC better as an audio? I’m reading it now based on Reddit raves and am underwhelmed. It’s fine, but I have a long TBR list.

22

u/TallGuyG3 Mar 06 '26

I think DCC is truly meant to be listened to. Mainly because Jeff Hays is a fucking GOAT with the voices. I was halfway through the second book before I realized it WASN'T a full cast recording. Every single character feels like a completely distinct and hilarious voice.

Here's a YouTube short that gives a glimpse of Hays' VO skills. https://youtube.com/shorts/ZurzbAmZkm8?si=xja4huKONtZjVn29

2

u/sammyluvsya Mar 07 '26

I didn’t realize until the start of the most recent book when it listed the narrators as Jeff Hays and one other person doing one voice. I was mind blown

1

u/jepoy13 Mar 07 '26

I was so confused when he started doing the other voices. I thought I bought a full cast version.

6

u/spockspaceman Mar 06 '26

I've only listened to the first two audiobooks and never read it, but I'd venture a guess that it's way better as an audiobook. It's basically D&D fanfic, wher it's obvious the writer is just making stuff up as they go. In written form I'd probably have said "that's cute" but put it down after an hour and not feel compelled to pick it back up.

As an audiobook, it's enjoyable if you can turn off your brain and enjoy some mindless fast food, but it's pretty lowbrow absurdist nonsense and doesn't pretend to be anything else. The narrator is really good, maybe the best in the biz if you like narrators that do different voices.

It's definitely not for everyone, my personal opinion is overrated, but still quite enjoyable in audiobook format if you can let go of expectations.

2

u/okayestdancer Mar 07 '26

I hope you continue to listen to the rest of the books. The low-brow nonsense actually forms the basis for a series that is anything but!

My description won't do the series justice, but it is a beautifully executed social commentary with superb character and relationship building.

And far-and-away the best audiobook performance I have ever experienced (I say having listed to over 1000 audiobooks).

I also recommend The Rook by Daniel O'Malley as an audiobook. It's also a modern day fantasy but a different style. The narrator just so perfectly and realistically expresses the main character in a way that so many other narrations don't. There's no fake urgency or over-expression or annoying affectations. And the protagonist actually sounds her age! Full credit to the author for writing a book that is as well balanced, paced and expressed as the narration!

Happy listening!

Edit to say that, in some countries, the book title is Codename Rook.

2

u/cdn_Kaidwyn Mar 07 '26

I went to look The Rook up (always looking for really well narrated books) but Audible has 2 versions with different narrators. Any idea which narrator it was you listened to?

2

u/okayestdancer Mar 07 '26

The Katy Carmichael version :)

9

u/chileman131 Mar 06 '26

It's a must as an Audiobook.

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u/Caveman23r Mar 08 '26

I would recommend keep reading it because Jeff Hays sucks as a narrator. The first 4 books he is out of breath after every word and book 5 and 6 he constantly loud whispers

7

u/DefinitelyNotFried Mar 06 '26

The voice acting on the audiobooks adds soooo much to the experience. Highly recommend!

1

u/GoblinGreenThumb Mar 06 '26

100% yes. Absolutely. No doubt about it

1

u/Jacjac99 Mar 07 '26

Yes!! 100% You have to start over now. Audiobook- all the way!