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storykath's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A four-person astronaut crew explores life-filled planets light-years away from Earth, thanks to the technology of somaforming. As they explore each new world, they learn more about the universe, and also about themselves, each other, and human nature. As they leave Earth farther behind, they must confront the possibility of what they will find when they eventually return.
I am a big Becky Chambers fan - the Wayfarers series has a special place in my heart. To Be Taught isn't too far removed from Wayfarers, in that it's speculative, cozy sci-fi with diverse characters and engaging moral quandaries. That being said, To Be Taught doesn't quite live up to Wayfarers for me. I miss the multiple perspectives and lengthier narratives that get sacrificed in novella form. Some of the science is believable and well-explained, while other aspects feel less fleshed-out. For instance, the narrator Ariadne's role on the crew often feels contrived; she doesn't actually do much as the ship's engineer, which conveniently leaves her with plenty of opportunity to help the others and thus observe and narrate their actions. When she does act in her role, she can be indecisive and unscientific, with a lot of "probably"s and "I don't know"s that never get methodically addressed like I would expect.
As always with Becky Chambers, To Be Taught is an interesting, easy-to-read sci-fi that effectively uses outer space and science to reflect inwardly on humanity. While I can't rave as much about this novella compared to any of the Wayfarers books, I am still glad to have it on my shelf.
I am a big Becky Chambers fan - the Wayfarers series has a special place in my heart. To Be Taught isn't too far removed from Wayfarers, in that it's speculative, cozy sci-fi with diverse characters and engaging moral quandaries. That being said, To Be Taught doesn't quite live up to Wayfarers for me. I miss the multiple perspectives and lengthier narratives that get sacrificed in novella form. Some of the science is believable and well-explained, while other aspects feel less fleshed-out. For instance, the narrator Ariadne's role on the crew often feels contrived; she doesn't actually do much as the ship's engineer, which conveniently leaves her with plenty of opportunity to help the others and thus observe and narrate their actions. When she does act in her role, she can be indecisive and unscientific, with a lot of "probably"s and "I don't know"s that never get methodically addressed like I would expect.
As always with Becky Chambers, To Be Taught is an interesting, easy-to-read sci-fi that effectively uses outer space and science to reflect inwardly on humanity. While I can't rave as much about this novella compared to any of the Wayfarers books, I am still glad to have it on my shelf.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Death, Gun violence, and Sexual content
betanine's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a challenging book. I started a couple of times. Abandoned it once. Then on a whim came back to it. There are some books that are harder for me on audio than reading the words. This might be one of them. This took concentrated focus on listening to get through this book. Chambers lays out a methodology for exploring a new planet in another solar system from the excitement of discovering something new down to the mundane tedium of doing science. The writing creates the feelings of these two realities. At times, it sounds a bit like listening to a science lecture at university. For those well versed in scientific method, probably took more than the seven science classes I took, this might feel like too much time served on fundamentals. For those like me, who have even forgotten most of what I learned in those seven classes, it helped remind me of the thought process behind science, why it is performed the way it is, and why few people care if they can’t make money on it.
The story puts the reader in a few different positions, with a different set of questions to answer with each world. If this were a Christian story, these would be the preaching moments with an altar call at the end. That being said, there is no shaming or blaming, no judgment or insult. It is a genuine presentation of what is, the ready to consider rather than walk away with little thought.
Who is this book for?
- People who like science. Earth sciences in particular.
- People who like a scientific take that isn’t wildly fantasy.
- People who are curious about the perspective of the science minded, especially in relation to earth science.
Who is this book not for:
- People who believe science as it is practiced now is intentionally anti-God
- People who are looking for an exciting space adventure.
- People who are looking for a quick, light read.
Content advisories: Adult language, references to non-monogamous sexual activity (no graphic descriptions).
The story puts the reader in a few different positions, with a different set of questions to answer with each world. If this were a Christian story, these would be the preaching moments with an altar call at the end. That being said, there is no shaming or blaming, no judgment or insult. It is a genuine presentation of what is, the ready to consider rather than walk away with little thought.
Who is this book for?
- People who like science. Earth sciences in particular.
- People who like a scientific take that isn’t wildly fantasy.
- People who are curious about the perspective of the science minded, especially in relation to earth science.
Who is this book not for:
- People who believe science as it is practiced now is intentionally anti-God
- People who are looking for an exciting space adventure.
- People who are looking for a quick, light read.
Content advisories: Adult language, references to non-monogamous sexual activity (no graphic descriptions).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content
wanderonwards's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Medical content, Confinement, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Cursing and Sexual content
awpatton's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, and Suicidal thoughts
eloiseisreading's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Cursing
jehansflowers's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Confinement
Moderate: Cursing and Suicidal thoughts
v171's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really enjoyed every part of this book, cover to cover. It's impressive how the author was able to fit an excellent story, excellent setting, and excellent characters with excellent arcs in such a short book. While I wouldn't necessarily consider it "feel good" sci fi as I've seen some other reviewers call it, I thought the message was very poignant as a realistic near-future scenario.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Blood, Animal death, Cursing, and Sexual content
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