I read the Martian about 2 years ago and project Hail Mary last year, and I loved both of them. I can definitely see the improvements in writing style and how he has grown massively as an author, but the Martian is still my favorite between the two. Something feels more raw and real about the diary entries of the Martian and it had me fist pumping and shouting for joy multiple times while reading, (though PHM also had me doing that a couple times). I really loved PHM and it made my top 5 last year, but to me it had some of the heart of the Martian missing, and also the end left me conflicted. (But It felt very bold to me and I like that) All in all, both fantastic books imo that are both very worth the read. I'm thinking of picking up Artemis, but I am nervous due to its lack of popularity
Maybe it has something to do with the reading order, but Project Hail Mary literally made me cry (in fairness, I'm a sap), whereas I felt like the Martian was just an entertaining read. That's probably what it boils down to for me. As always, thanks for the comment and for sharing your thoughts, Elijah!
I am actually reading The Martian right now, even after watching the movie when it first came out a few years ago. I think reading it first before Hail Mary will help me appreciate best. It was very unique when it first came out which may have helped catapult it to the mainstream. It's good to know that Weir has progressed as an author so it gives us readers something to look forward to. I tend to read authors by their "earliest bestsellers" rather than their most recent exactly for this reason.
Grrrr…I’m *NOT* getting notifications when you upload. Sorry I’m just now watching this. NGL: I haven’t read anything by this author but depending on how this video review goes, I just might. Side Note: I have finally scored a copy of *THE MASTER AND HIS EMISSARY;* The divided brain and the making of the western world. By Iain McGilchrist . Curious if you’ve ever read it?!? 🤔 It’s obviously not a fiction book (which is my staple) but I was feeling a bit thick and decided to challenge my brain!
Hah. I don’t expect anyone to watch every video as soon as they come out, so I wouldn’t worry too much about missing uploads :). As for the McGilchrist book, sounds up my alley, but I haven’t heard of it before. Let me know how it goes and if you recommend it, I’ll add it to the list! PS: digging the hair!
I read Project Hail Mary first - which is as good as everyone is saying - then I read Artemis which was a huge step down and to be avoided at all costs. I was going to read The Martian next - but after the comments here, I think I'll start either The Dresden Files or Discworld.
All very different reads, but I highly recommend both the Dresden Files (although it takes a while to get going) and Discworld (which takes a while to go nowhere... but that's kind of the point).
I hate Project Hail Mary to the point that I have 50 pages to finish it and I can't bring myself to pick up book from shelf and read those pages. This book is beyond dumb and childish. It reads like it was writen by 16 yo kid with no understanding how the world works. And his prose just sucks. Thanks for telling me that The Martian is even worse, now I know for sure I will not try to read it.
Similar to you, I read Project Hail Mary first and loved it. Then I excitedly decided to read The Martian soon after. I found it hard to get through and I very much agree with your points about lack of tension and simply not caring about the main character. I also thought it was a little too much with the technical problem solving without enough other story aspects to keep things interesting. I'm sure the grounded problem solving was pretty novel at the time of release, but I think PHM had a better balance.
I liked Project Hail Mary better than The Martian, but I didn’t sense such a huge gulf between them when it comes to writing quality. Although I do agree that Ryland Grace is a deeper character, and Andy Weir has also said this in interviews about PHM, that wasn’t what I noticed most while listening to the audiobook for the first time. What made me happier about PHM to begin with was the amnesia situation. In fact, I remember thinking “This is just like the Martian, but with amnesia!” And I loved that. Then of course Rocky showed up and my mind was blown. I loved that reveal so much, and was not expecting it after the Martian, which is so grounded in reality all the way through. The improved character development was the icing on the cake. I loved it, but it took me a while to notice it, partly because Ryland doesn’t even know much about himself to start out with so some of his character traits are a surprise.
I think the improved character development (plus the addition of Rocky) also adds a layer of emotion to PHM that is absent from the Martian. Thanks so much for your comment!
I thought the flashback scenes of Project Hail Mary were really well written, the 'current' scenes w/Rocky just okay. One of those books I really enjoyed, yet I will hesitate to try Andy Weir again due to some of the quirks of his, like how his character avoids swearing and just can't help thinking like a scientist, so here's some dry science for a few paragraphs...those kinds of things. I believe a movie is in the works, definitely will give that a look.
I loved Rocky, and I thought the explanation for why Ryland doesn't swear was endearing (albeit not all that believable). I never saw the Martian movie, but I might give a PHM movie a shot. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
I read them both and liked them both, but I liked the Martian more. Hail Mary was more complex and dealt with deeper questions, so objectively it's probably the better book, but it was less enjoyable for me to read.
@@ADudeWhoReads I read the Martian first (around the time the movie came out, but before I saw the movie) and then Hail Mary shortly after it was published.
@@danielsteiner5659 Thanks for that! Based on a few different comments and conversations, I suspect that the order in which one reads these books influences your appreciation. Maybe my mistake was reading PHM first :)
Hi Adam, I am a huge fan of Andy Weir and elected Project Hail Mary as my favorite read of 2021. WHAT A STORY! Loved the unique friendship between Ryland and Rocky. I have never imagined I could tear up with a sci-fi 😂 I saw on IMDB that they were going to do a movie from this book with Ryan Gosling as Ryland but nothing yet...
Totally agree. Although, there are quite a few sci fi tear jerkers, especially if you look to some of the older stuff (anything by Ursula K Le Guin has a pretty good chance of at least getting you to sniffle). Not sure how I feel about Ryan Gosling as Ryland, though. Ryan's probably too good-looking.
@@ADudeWhoReads thank you for the suggestions. I am quite new to sci-fi fiction so I will definitely explore your recommendations) Totally agree about Gosling (not a fan), in my mind I was envisioning Owen Wilson in that role, maybe not a perfect fit but he's so funny and kind of quirky that would add some lightness to the role (i guess he totally got me with his Midnight in Paris role).
@@Uncommon_Reader I hope you enjoy Le Guin! As for Gosling, I don't mind him as an actor, but being a Canadian, I grew up watching him in cheesy kids shows (before he was famous), which has seriously limited the range of roles I can picture him in :)
I think most people would agree that The Left Hand of Darkness is her best known sci fi work. I really enjoyed it and think it makes for a great intro to her work. I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try!
Have you read any of Andy Weir's work? If so, what are your thoughts?
I read the Martian about 2 years ago and project Hail Mary last year, and I loved both of them. I can definitely see the improvements in writing style and how he has grown massively as an author, but the Martian is still my favorite between the two. Something feels more raw and real about the diary entries of the Martian and it had me fist pumping and shouting for joy multiple times while reading, (though PHM also had me doing that a couple times). I really loved PHM and it made my top 5 last year, but to me it had some of the heart of the Martian missing, and also the end left me conflicted. (But It felt very bold to me and I like that)
All in all, both fantastic books imo that are both very worth the read.
I'm thinking of picking up Artemis, but I am nervous due to its lack of popularity
Maybe it has something to do with the reading order, but Project Hail Mary literally made me cry (in fairness, I'm a sap), whereas I felt like the Martian was just an entertaining read. That's probably what it boils down to for me. As always, thanks for the comment and for sharing your thoughts, Elijah!
I am actually reading The Martian right now, even after watching the movie when it first came out a few years ago. I think reading it first before Hail Mary will help me appreciate best. It was very unique when it first came out which may have helped catapult it to the mainstream. It's good to know that Weir has progressed as an author so it gives us readers something to look forward to. I tend to read authors by their "earliest bestsellers" rather than their most recent exactly for this reason.
I think that's an excellent approach. When working backwards through an author's bibliography, the potential to be disappointed is definitely higher!
Grrrr…I’m *NOT* getting notifications when you upload. Sorry I’m just now watching this. NGL: I haven’t read anything by this author but depending on how this video review goes, I just might.
Side Note: I have finally scored a copy of *THE MASTER AND HIS EMISSARY;* The divided brain and the making of the western world. By Iain McGilchrist . Curious if you’ve ever read it?!? 🤔 It’s obviously not a fiction book (which is my staple) but I was feeling a bit thick and decided to challenge my brain!
Hah. I don’t expect anyone to watch every video as soon as they come out, so I wouldn’t worry too much about missing uploads :). As for the McGilchrist book, sounds up my alley, but I haven’t heard of it before. Let me know how it goes and if you recommend it, I’ll add it to the list! PS: digging the hair!
I read Project Hail Mary first - which is as good as everyone is saying - then I read Artemis which was a huge step down and to be avoided at all costs. I was going to read The Martian next - but after the comments here, I think I'll start either The Dresden Files or Discworld.
All very different reads, but I highly recommend both the Dresden Files (although it takes a while to get going) and Discworld (which takes a while to go nowhere... but that's kind of the point).
I hate Project Hail Mary to the point that I have 50 pages to finish it and I can't bring myself to pick up book from shelf and read those pages. This book is beyond dumb and childish. It reads like it was writen by 16 yo kid with no understanding how the world works. And his prose just sucks. Thanks for telling me that The Martian is even worse, now I know for sure I will not try to read it.
Maybe try the movie? :)
I didn't have a chance to watch the video, but there was a typo in your thumbnail. It should read: Both are Great!
Funny how spell check didn't catch that...
Similar to you, I read Project Hail Mary first and loved it. Then I excitedly decided to read The Martian soon after. I found it hard to get through and I very much agree with your points about lack of tension and simply not caring about the main character. I also thought it was a little too much with the technical problem solving without enough other story aspects to keep things interesting. I'm sure the grounded problem solving was pretty novel at the time of release, but I think PHM had a better balance.
A kindred spirit! Thanks for confirming that I'm not crazy :)
I liked Project Hail Mary better than The Martian, but I didn’t sense such a huge gulf between them when it comes to writing quality. Although I do agree that Ryland Grace is a deeper character, and Andy Weir has also said this in interviews about PHM, that wasn’t what I noticed most while listening to the audiobook for the first time.
What made me happier about PHM to begin with was the amnesia situation. In fact, I remember thinking “This is just like the Martian, but with amnesia!” And I loved that.
Then of course Rocky showed up and my mind was blown. I loved that reveal so much, and was not expecting it after the Martian, which is so grounded in reality all the way through.
The improved character development was the icing on the cake. I loved it, but it took me a while to notice it, partly because Ryland doesn’t even know much about himself to start out with so some of his character traits are a surprise.
I think the improved character development (plus the addition of Rocky) also adds a layer of emotion to PHM that is absent from the Martian. Thanks so much for your comment!
I thought the flashback scenes of Project Hail Mary were really well written, the 'current' scenes w/Rocky just okay. One of those books I really enjoyed, yet I will hesitate to try Andy Weir again due to some of the quirks of his, like how his character avoids swearing and just can't help thinking like a scientist, so here's some dry science for a few paragraphs...those kinds of things. I believe a movie is in the works, definitely will give that a look.
I loved Rocky, and I thought the explanation for why Ryland doesn't swear was endearing (albeit not all that believable). I never saw the Martian movie, but I might give a PHM movie a shot. Thanks for watching and for the comment!
Honestly, I felt like The Martian was hard to get through, I absolutely loved PHM and I can't wait for the movie.
I hear ya! The thing that makes a book a page turner is tension, and The Martian didn’t seem to have any. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I read them both and liked them both, but I liked the Martian more. Hail Mary was more complex and dealt with deeper questions, so objectively it's probably the better book, but it was less enjoyable for me to read.
Thanks for watching and commenting, Daniel! Out of curiosity, which did you read first?
@@ADudeWhoReads I read the Martian first (around the time the movie came out, but before I saw the movie) and then Hail Mary shortly after it was published.
@@danielsteiner5659 Thanks for that! Based on a few different comments and conversations, I suspect that the order in which one reads these books influences your appreciation. Maybe my mistake was reading PHM first :)
Hi Adam, I am a huge fan of Andy Weir and elected Project Hail Mary as my favorite read of 2021. WHAT A STORY! Loved the unique friendship between Ryland and Rocky. I have never imagined I could tear up with a sci-fi 😂 I saw on IMDB that they were going to do a movie from this book with Ryan Gosling as Ryland but nothing yet...
Totally agree. Although, there are quite a few sci fi tear jerkers, especially if you look to some of the older stuff (anything by Ursula K Le Guin has a pretty good chance of at least getting you to sniffle). Not sure how I feel about Ryan Gosling as Ryland, though. Ryan's probably too good-looking.
@@ADudeWhoReads thank you for the suggestions. I am quite new to sci-fi fiction so I will definitely explore your recommendations) Totally agree about Gosling (not a fan), in my mind I was envisioning Owen Wilson in that role, maybe not a perfect fit but he's so funny and kind of quirky that would add some lightness to the role (i guess he totally got me with his Midnight in Paris role).
@@Uncommon_Reader I hope you enjoy Le Guin! As for Gosling, I don't mind him as an actor, but being a Canadian, I grew up watching him in cheesy kids shows (before he was famous), which has seriously limited the range of roles I can picture him in :)
@@ADudeWhoReads Is there a particular book by Le Guin you recommend I start with? Thanks!
I think most people would agree that The Left Hand of Darkness is her best known sci fi work. I really enjoyed it and think it makes for a great intro to her work. I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try!
Martian > Project Hail Mary
Thanks for sharing ;)