Ryland Grace from Project Hail Mary is my captivating character of April. Ryland is as captivating in the movie adaptation as he is in the book!
Carol’s Captivating Characters of April Link-Up
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
On the last Friday of the month, I will write a post about my most captivating character of the month and create a Link Party (see link below my review)! In addition to hearing about the memorable characters that have captivated you, I also want this new project to facilitate new bookish friendships, help you find your book twin, and promote blog engagement. This link party will stay active for 30 days. In exchange for linking your post back to this one, I promise to visit every blog post that links up, leave a comment, and share your post once on #bookx and #booksky.
Captivating Character Link Up Details:
- You can use fictional or real characters/persons.
- Link up a review that specifically highlights a captivating character or person, or write a post dedicated to your most captivating character or person of the month.
- Please include a link back to this (monthly) post.
- Be kind: visit one other post in the link-up and leave a comment.
- #CaptivatingCharacters26
No blog? No problem! Share your most captivating character of the month in the comments.
Shoutout to Joanne @ Portobello Book Blog for linking up with me in March. Check out her post!
Ryland Grace
The reluctant astronaut…
Name of Captivating Character: Ryland Grace
The reason he is captivating: risk-taker, problem-solver, humble, smart, friendly, compassionate, never quits
Book and Author: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir; Movie: PHM Movie Trailer
Genre/Categories/Setting: Science Fiction, Space Mission, Friendship, Sacrifice, Survival
Mood: suspenseful. informative, heartwarming
Middle School science teacher Ryland Grace finds himself on a desperate space mission to save planet Earth. He wakes up on a spaceship hooked up to tubes without a memory of how he got there or how the two people next to him died in their beds. Although he senses he knows them and realizes their importance, he can’t remember his own name or his purpose for being there. In dual timelines, we hear Ryland’s backstory (as he regains his memory) and experience the dangerous present reality. Ryland finds an unexpected ally in his quest to save Earth from extinction.
SEE THE MOVIE!
I’ve already reviewed the book here, so this Captivating Character post is intended to promote the movie!
First, Ryan Gosling. I’m here to assure you that Ryan Gosling NAILS Ryland Grace. I admit I was skeptical, but Gosling perfectly portrayed Ryland Grace. Fans of Gosling or the book won’t want to miss the movie!
Book to Movie Adaptation. I’m always skeptical. Never fear, this is an excellent adaptation! Yes, the book goes deeper….but the movie hits all the most important elements of the book.
Should you read the book first? Usually, I would say yes. However, I wonder if it’s necessary in this case? This is not to say you shouldn’t read the book. Because of the heavy science/math/engineering content, I think the book might make more sense to you and be more enjoyable if you have the background information from the movie. The only thing that will be “spoiled” by seeing the movie first is the revelation of Rocky. Whenever you do read the book, I highly recommend the audio format.
Ryland Grace is an extremely likable character, an everyday “awww shucks” kind of guy, a popular middle school teacher, a curious scientist, an admirable and selfless friend, and a relentless and innovative problem solver. Like many of us who go to work each day, he shows up and never quits. Captivating in the book and more so in the movie.
One element that I noticed more in the movie than the book is the humor that was well played by Gosling.
Important themes in the book come through in the movie: (1) loving others (caring and mourning for friends who died, Ryland and his unexpected ally looking out for each other); (2) helping others (as a teacher….his first love, helping during the initial planning and preparation phase of the mission); and (3) giving back (Ryland ultimately commits to saving Earth and accepts the responsibility and the cost).
Fans of science fiction who appreciate a compulsively page-turning and (eventually) heartwarming story will not want to miss the “must see” movie adaptation. Best on “big screen” rather than streaming I predict. Splurge and see it in IMAX if possible!
Ryland is a captivating character and well deserving of this month’s focus. A truly memorable character whom I will remember fondly for years to come.
Share your experiences with the book and/or movie in the comments!
I’m curious:
Star Rating (book and movie): 5 Stars
A “must-see” movie! See it on the “big screen” for most enjoyment!
Meet the Author of Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir
ANDY WEIR built a two-decade career as a software engineer until the success of his first published novel, The Martian, allowed him to live out his dream of writing full-time.
He is a lifelong space nerd and a devoted hobbyist of such subjects as relativistic physics, orbital mechanics, and the history of manned spaceflight. He also mixes a mean cocktail.
He lives in California.
I KNOW you’ve encountered some fascinating and interesting characters this month! Share them with us by linking up your review post!
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter!
(open for 30 days)
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes
“Reading good books ruins you for reading bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
“I read because books are a form of transportation, teaching, and connection. Books take us to places we’ve never been, teach us about our world, and help us understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley
Let’s Get Social!
Find me at:
Twitter/X
Blue Sky
Instagram (Threads link in bio)
Goodreads and StoryGraph
Pinterest
SubStack: @carolreadingladies
Reading Ladies Book Club on Facebook
My reviews are free, and my blog is a labor of love!
Donations are welcome and appreciated!
***Blog posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price.
All books I review are purchased or borrowed from the library unless explicitly stated that the book is free (arc).
Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website receives all credit for book covers and author photos.
© ReadingLadies.com