Reviews - To Be Taught, If Fortunate

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8.64k reviews for:

To Be Taught, If Fortunate

Becky Chambers

4.27 AVERAGE

bookmarxist's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

This was a very easy 5-star rating for me. I can't point at one single thing I didn't like about this book.

friendshipsoup's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous emotional inspiring slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I recently described this book to a friend as an existential hug. It’s gorgeous and sweeping and lovely to read, although the ending didn’t feel totally true to the characters. Made me think a lot, and also made me feel at home.

beckyhansell's review against another edition

3.0

challenging informative mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

dieciseisl's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

creolelitbelle's review

3.75

adventurous reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Becky Chambers once again proved me wrong with my sentiments about books set in outer space. I loved the concept behind this and really enjoyed the execution with one member from the team writing to someone of the future back on Earth, hoping the information would one day be read. This book is not for readers who want everything tied up in a neat bow at the end. Just as the universe has infinite questions and answers out there, the ending leaves us wondering about the mission, but I appreciate an open ending, especially one set in our future with real possibilities. I do wish we could get clearer pictures of the planets the mission comes into contact with, but I think part of the point is human connection and what makes us human in relation to the world and people we know, not that we explore.

Content Warnings

heregrim's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

A science expedition to space to examine potential planets with life loses contact with Earth. The humanity of the characters and the choice they are ultimately forced to make was very touching.