Occupy Space by Grady Hendrix

Occupy Space Reviews

• 
  Marc *Dark Reader of the Woods*

  And now, the long-awaited side-by-side comparison of the original
  Occupy Space and the revised, re-published
  BadAsstronauts!
  
  Here we go:
  
  
  
  
  
  Done!
  
  . . . what, you want more? Fine:
  
  
  Occupy Space
  Height: 20.3 cm
  Width: 12.7 cm
  Thickness: 8.5 mm
  Weight: 149 g
  MSRP: US$6.99
  Publisher: Grady Hendrix
  pp: 117
  Release date: April 24, 2012
  
  
  BadAsstronauts
  Height: 21.5 cm
  Width: 13.9 cm
  Thickness: 9 mm
  Weight: 208 g
  MSRP: US$11.99
  Publisher: JABberwocky Literary Agency, Inc.
  pp: 160 (larger font than Occupy Space)
  Release date: April 19, 2022
  
  Are you satisfied now? . . . what, I'm supposed to compare the content? Geez Louise, fine.
  
  It's the same book, and thank goodness because it's great. It's been aged up by a decade, specifically taking place in 2022 instead of 2012. It's been through a copy edit to the publisher's preferred style, changing things like "$60" to "sixty dollars." It has a new introduction from Grady, giving a context for the original book and its revision. It has new cover art, evocative but purely symbolic; no space suits were harmed in the production of this fiction.
  
  And some of the language has been revised. The original had plenty of slurs, but at no time did they seem like they were coming from the author, it was always clearly the characters' speech. I mean, have you even been to South Carolina? Some parts were adjusted: "golf is for homos" became "golf is for assholes," although elsewhere gayness was retained as a slight but changed from "homo" to "homosexual" in one case. Other potential offenses remained intact. Walter still calls the graduating high school class "borderline retarded," for one. The language is beside the point because the book, and its characters, are filled with heart and determination. It hasn't changed at all, in the parts that matter.
  
  *****************************
  
  Re-read complete, in preparation for the updated
  BadAsstronauts. I am keen to see what has changed. The title was due for an update (remember the Occupy movement?), and some of the social media references, now 10 years old, are slightly dated, but I hope the characters' offensive utterings aren't too toned down.
  
  It was even more hilarious and heartfelt as my first time. It starts off wonderfully crude and absurd, and within a hundred pages has morphed into such a ridiculous tearjerker, I love it.
  
  Want to read it for yourself? You can't, ha ha, it's out of print because of the new retitled edition, and if you find a second-hand copy it'll probably cost US$hundreds, just like his other pre-breakout self-published
  Satan Loves You, which is also wonderful and which I also acquired years ago and you can't have that either. Mine!
  
  *****************************
  
  *Newsflash* - Grady Hendrix has rewritten this charming little novella (
  Occupy Space), to be re-released on April 19, 2022 as
  BadAsstronauts!
  
  
  
  But that's not all...
  
  
  
  
  
  ...because on August 4th, the book will be re-re-released AGAIN, in it's TRUE FINAL FORM as Space Lives Matter!
  
  
  
  And here's a photo of the author:
  
  
  
  Just remember, when you see the 'new' book lining bookshelves everywhere, that I reviewed it first.
  
  *****************************
  
  Self-publishing can have a bad reputation, often for good reason.
  Grady Hendrix is an outstanding example of someone who started off self-publishing and went on to traditional publishing with great success (not that this is the necessary path for self-publishing authors). His latest novels have gained him critical and popular acclaim and screen development offers. But before all that, he put out this kind-of science fiction (maybe more properly a societal fiction) novella with a powerful impact.
  
  Had I come across Occupy Space when it was first released, I would have had no doubt that the author would go on to great success. As it was, I pulled this from Hendrix's back-catalogue after feverishly reading several of his non-self-published books in short order. Occupy Space is the story of a bunch of self-proclaimed rednecks who gather to build a rocket, in order to rescue the cousin of the protagonist who is stranded aboard the International Space Station without any authorized rescue mission potential. It starts off goofy but, like the mission it enshrines, grows and matures to surprising heights. It is an unabashedly American story and is very much plugged into contemporary times. We see here a great deal of heart, emotionally authentic characters, and a talent for crafting thoroughly satisfying endings, all hallmarks of Grady’s writing.
  
  Highly recommended if you have enjoyed any of his later books, including
  The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires,
  My Best Friend's Exorcism, or
  We Sold Our Souls. For a real treat, track down his also-self-published novel
  Satan Loves You, it is a hoot.
• 
  Zacks Books

  4.5* I didn't even know Grady Hendrix had a novella like this until Danielle ordered it for me. I really liked this, totally different from his other books. He's one of my favorite authors of all time and this novella made me even more excited for his next book.
• 
  Jennifer

  Not horror but an engaging read just the same. "Redneck NASA" is all you need to know!
• 
  Maxwell

  Grady hendrix finally let me down 😞 to be fair this is a sci-fi novella (not a horror novel like I’m used to reading from him) that he wrote back in 2012. Then last year (2022) he updated it a bit and republished it under a new title. It definitely just felt super random, maybe like a fun side project/experiment and I feel like it didn’t showcase his skill. It’s got too much going on for a novella but it also doesn’t dive deep enough into certain parts (particularly the characters who felt one note and the plot which is so ridiculous and at times explained away a bit too easily). And even though he updated it, it still feels a bit dated. It’s just not super good at any one thing to make me enjoy it. It’s only 160 pages so it was quick to read but not one I’ll likely every revisit.
• 
  Dan Corey

  Redneck NASA (Hendrix’s term, not mine). There you have it. An elevator pitch in two words. Think The Martian by way of Jeff Foxworthy, and you’ve got Badasstronauts. Sold? I certainly was. It’s far-fetched, but it’s so incredibly fun (and funny!). Hendrix is my go-to for palate cleansers, and as usual, he doesn’t disappoint. This book is a testament to the power of determination, teamwork, perseverance, and liquor.
• 
  Emilie

  Not a super strong story. Luckily I know I love Hendrix, but even the greats can’t hit every time.
• 
  ᒪᗴᗩᕼ

  3¼⭐
  They dub themselves "Redneck Nasa" and at least two other names...maybe three. A quick listen and the narrator fit the story perfectly. It wasn't earth-shattering by any means but it was laughably entertaining. Why do so many short stories have crappy endings?
• 
  Amy Noelle

  2.5 ⭐️ // CAWPILE rating 4.43
  
  Unfortunately this was a flop for me. I know it’s fiction but it’s not fantasy, there’s nothing supernatural at play. The rules of the world should still apply here and this just didn’t make any sense. No way anyone would ever get away with all that. It would just never happen. The synopsis sounds really intriguing, but as the story progresses it just gets more and more ridiculous and I just didn’t buy it. The main character was also pretty underwhelming for me. There was huge opportunity for a character arc and it sorta started but then backslid and stalled out. Felt like a missed opportunity to make him a bit more likable. There was some pretty funny moments and I really liked the first quarter of the book but as it went on I started feeling really fatigued and annoyed reading it. I started skimming. Never a good sign. This just wasn’t a vibe for me.
  
  I love Grady Hendrix though, I’ve never given any of his traditionally published books less than 4 stars and he still holds strong as one of my fave authors. This early novella of his was just a miss for me.
• 
  Kaethe

  Hendrix is amazingly good at poking fun at people he sees, understands, and feels kindly toward. He's also adept at looking at a picture and seeing what's wrong. In his horror fiction he uses that perception and magnifies that which is wrong in the world into the nightmare world of a few characters. And he can totally creep me out with that shirt.
  In this case he understands just how little late-stage capitalism has to offer a small town in SC. He gives them an audacious plan to save a hometown hero that can't possibly work. The real world gave them Oxycontin and death. I prefer his vision.
  
  Special props for capturing the spirit of "Hey, hold my beer. Now y'all watch this" the classic intro to a million painful videos without ever actually saying it.
  
  Library copy
  
  Library copy
• 
  Terra Harmony

  This one caught me by surprise. The concept was interesting but not my usual read so it took me a few weeks to get to it. Once I did, I couldn't put it down! A small, redneck town rallies to rescue one of their own from space when NASA refuses to do anything about the deserted astronaut orbiting Earth in a forgotten space station. The main character, Walter, is a drunk. A retired astronaut who never held the glory of going into space himself. I liken him to Haymitch from the Hunger Games. Though this book is nothing like the Hunger Games, you grow to both love and hate Walter at the same time, but in the end find yourself rooting for him.
  
  The crew that support Walter are an unlikely bunch that come together with a common goal. It is amazing to see such different personalities find their place in Walter's growing community. Let me just say that this was a very captivating read; I kept wondering the same thing as the characters in the book – how in the world are they actually going to build a rocket, capable not only of flight, but also of retrieving an astronaut in space and returning safely? The ending is not necessarily 'happy', but did have a twist and in my opinion, was the perfect ending.
  
• 
  Paul Preston

  This was just a lot of fun. Redneck NASA. Basically this is The Martian except told by the people on earth and they are trying to rescue Walter’s cousin who is abandoned on the ISS. Also, they have no idea what they are doing so they are crowdsourcing the info in order to build the rocket. Very humorous and entertaining.
• 
  Claudia

  I wasn't sure what to make of this at first. I'm not super into sci-fi, although I do pick it up every now and then.
  
  This is Grady Hendrix we're talking about here so don't expect this to be super serious. As always, it was infused with the Hendrix humor I've come to know and love.
  
  It's ultimately a story about hope. It's a quick, strange read but I really enjoyed it.
  
  I'd highly recommend reading the author's intro. He talks about his mindset and the state of the world when he wrote this story. Why it was originally called Occupy Space, etc. A quote that I really liked from the intro for some reason: "...the world felt like a big bowl of fail."
  
  This novella isn't perfect. I know not everyone will like it but if you like his humor and a story with a message, then I suggest you read this.
• 
  Lynn K.

  DNF at page 62 or 39%. I just don’t care. I don’t care about the characters or the plot and it was becoming a chore to read. It probably should have been a short story.
• 
  Jenny

  This book is a chaotic mess in all the best ways. The protagonist is a brash, rude, alcoholic with a whole load of flaws, but reading in-between the lines it's about the unity of groups from all sorts of backgrounds and brings a human element to people that as a long-time urban living person, I never really get a chance to think about. BadAsstronauts is a quick read with a lot of heart. Loved it.
• 
  Josh Krysak

  *4.5 stars. This novella isn’t perfect, but it’s laugh-out-loud funny, surprisingly touching, and weirdly inspiring. Imagine Andy Weir writing about backyard astronauts, then toss in a big dash Carlton Mellick III, a touch of T.C. Boyle and a bit of Kevin Wilson masquerading as Hunter S. Thompson and you’ll be on the right track. I enjoyed the hell out of this irreverent ride and I am so thankful Hendrix decided to update and release. It’s a shame that ampersands coded incorrectly in the printing on several occasions - hitting the page like “& amp ;” each time - but who cares. I’m just happy this little nugget of ridiculous dissonance is in the world.
• 
  Karrie

  I think this book should be used to teach high school kids. I think it's more interesting than reading dry out-of-date boring books, just because they are/were "Classics". There is so much in this book that can be pulled from for discussions, and for kids to become open-minded.
  
  Plus it's funny. No, scratch that. Hilarious.
  
  Grady Hendrix=SoulMate.
• 
  Gemma ♕ Bookish Gems

  I don't know how I feel about this. A 3* seems high but I also feel like I want to give it another read...
• 
  Robbie McPhee

  2.5 stars - unfortunately this one just didn’t quite do it for me like the rest of Hendrix’s work. It was decent and had good moments, but for a novella it still felt a little slow at some points.
• 
  Alison

  Fun, quick read. I don’t know rocket science so I had a hard time following the science. I don’t know if this is even possible but man, it was fun. 😂
  Red neck nasa for life.
• 
  Marina

  Muy cargante al principio pero con una resolución divertida. Para nada a la altura de sus otras obras.
• 
  Joel Sundquist

  Amazing as always
  
  I love Hendrix and his style. He has such flair and personality. Genuinely hilarious dialogue and a good way of making you see things through the characters eyes. It's got depth to it as well. It's a witty rocket fueled ride through redneck NASA country.
• 
  M.M.

  This one has no supernatural or horror elements but still has the same charm and humor of Grady Hendrix's other works. One of the things I like best about him is how even when his characters are jerks or losers (and there's plenty in this novella) or somewhat villainous he characterizes them in a way that can unsparingly honest but not mean.
• 
  Mike

  Hendrix's revised/updated reissue of his early novella
  Occupy Space is a curious departure from his trademark, pop-culture-savvy horror; but like the later works that made him famous, it's a fun, fast-paced read with ample humor, quirky characterizations, and surprising relatability and heart amidst its increasingly wacky plot. Grady pads the already short length here with some obligatory technical language and sciencey jibber-jabber, but for the most part BadAsstronauts is a blast (pun intended), equal parts preposterous and rousing. Its (re)publication is a welcome treat for fans to fill the void until the release of his next, eagerly anticipated full novel (and return to familiar genre territory),
  How to Sell a Haunted House.
• 
  Jacob

  First off, Hendrix's forward is an amazing lament of the failure of the Occupy movement and the decline of science education in the US, something I also feel very passionate about. We used to send people to space, now we can barely convince people vaccines are good.
  The story itself is a hopeful story centered around an obnoxious and very politically incorrect southerner who somehow inspires both his small town and tons of other people to come together and build a rocket to save a man stranded on the ISS. It's a wish that we can turn things around and have people recognize their talents and be able to work towards a common good with them. They also all pretty much live in a commune.
  The book is left and it loves science.
  5 stars.
• 
  Matt McCleland

  Fun novella from Grady Hendrix. This isn't horror, but if you enjoy Grady's humor from his other books, you should like this one! The ending seemed a bit rushed. Maybe I wanted more details on the events at the end and/or maybe I was just sad that this little weird story was over (unless there is a sequel coming someday??)
• 
  Kevin Thomas James Atteridg

  Big fan of Grady Hendrix, so I’m a big fan of getting to experience some of his older work.
• 
  Abi

  This entire book was worth reading for the last few pages. I thoroughly enjoyed this, but not surprised since it’s a Grady Hendrix novella. 5/5!!
• 
  Melissa Bennett

  I liked the concept of this book and I even liked the beginning. I was ready for an exciting, humorous read. Unfortunately, I thought it fell flat. There were only a few parts that I found amusing. I didn't think the naming of the team, rocket, people, etc., were very creative. The main character, Walter, was unlikeable. Every time I thought this would turn around, he did something that put him on the do not like list. I've become a fan of Hendrix but this was not for me to rave about.
• 
  Josh

  Had a lot of fun with this one. Full review soon.
  
  Note. if you're looking at this book as a pure horror genre reader - this isn't that kind of story!
• 
  Katie Murray

  A few things are... questionable, and I do wish that he kept the old title (it really makes a lot more sense), but ultimately a fun and hopeful little book!