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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
A different format from the first books in the series I am looking forward to book 4 to see how it ties together.
Becky Chambers will never disappoint. They have defined cozy sci-fi. Every time I read a Becky Chambers book, I cannot help but smile. I cannot recommend this author enough.
This was a decent book, but definitely my least favourite out of the series. We follow a relatively large cast of characters, all with similar-sounding names, in the same environment, just going about their daily lives in a way that makes it super easy to muddle up the storylines. It's not until an event that occurs about halfway through the book that the characters' storylines, how they interrelate with each other and the wider theme of the book, become clear. The second half of the book was a much more enjoyable read, with more cogent storytelling, distinct plotlines, and more heartfelt emotional moments. So, in short, this book takes a while to get into and isn't until about haflway through that it really picks up and delivers what Becky Chambers normally delivers in this series. Still, would read again!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Re-read in 2023:
Last book of the year!! Thank you so much, Becky Chambers, for providing me with the sci-fi comfort my heart and brain needed.
I don't think I had noticed this the first time I read this book, but this time around, I was struck with the emphasis Chambers put on some professions that aren't often discussed - in real life and in the realm of science-fiction: morticians and archivists (Véro, this is definitely the "Wayfarer" book for you!). But more precisely, I was struck with the relationship between Eyas, our (for lack of a better word) space-mortician, whose job is it to handle dead bodies, funeral ceremonies and subsequent "recycling" of the remains into compost, and Sunny, the host (i.e. sex worker) she befriends. Chambers talks about both of their professions with incredible respect and dignity, and I loved it. The two lines of work are often met with tons of prejudices and are deeply misunderstood, and it's lovely to see her bring her heart-warming humane touch to those jobs. I would have loved to see more of their relationship.
---
I just love Becky Chambers. There's no way around it: she writes the kind of sci-fi I've always wanted to read. She writes the kind of sci-fi I wish I had written! "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1434357843?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1) was probably my favorite book of 2017, and I have been eagerly anticipating new "Wayfarer" installments since.
"Record of a Spaceborn Few" starts out shortly after the end of "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet"; but the setting couldn't be more different. After the Earth was rendered uninhabitable, humans built the Exodus Fleet and left their home planet in search of a new place to live. While they were eventually accepted as part of the Galactic Commons and settled small colonies on a few planets, a community of humans remains on the fleet. Known as Exodans, they cherish their traditions and are fiercely loyal to their way of life. But over time, so many have left the Fleet, to settle on other worlds, live different lives. Are the Exodans fated to eventually vanish? How can they insure no one forgets where they came from and how hard they worked to get there? The Exodans are confronted head-on with these questions when a tragic incident kills a significant number of their community.
Just as in Chambers' first book, the story is told by multiple points of view, painting a rich and multilayered picture of what life is like in this universe. She writes with profound compassion and optimist humor; qualities I hunger for insatiably. Her inclusive approach to character development never feels forced: in her head, people have simply gotten to the point where they understand that being open and accepting is the only way to make sure we all survive whatever we have to face.
In Chambers' vivid and flawless world-building, humans were essentially refugees, tolerated by the Galactic Commons and only recently been made an integral part of its community: in many ways, they are still figuring it out, and dealing with a heavy heritage. Some of the characters in this story were born on the Fleet, and for a myriad reasons, want to protect and help it endure... or they begin to wonder if it really is the place for them. A newcomer and an alien academic have a very different interest in this living relic of Human culture: can it be a home? What can their culture learn form it? Their voices are distinct, their personalities and backstory very fleshed out; you get invested in each story line.
"Record of a Spaceborn Few" is engaging, moving and thought-provoking: it's Chambers' most human-centric work yet, and it is a remarkable exploration of what an uprooted humanity - who still hold on to what makes them unique in this big, diverse and complicated universe they travel through - could be like. She has given us consistently amazing space operas for the last few years and I hope she never stops! I can't recommend her books enough. If you are a fan of the series, you cannot miss this wonderful novel.
Last book of the year!! Thank you so much, Becky Chambers, for providing me with the sci-fi comfort my heart and brain needed.
I don't think I had noticed this the first time I read this book, but this time around, I was struck with the emphasis Chambers put on some professions that aren't often discussed - in real life and in the realm of science-fiction: morticians and archivists (Véro, this is definitely the "Wayfarer" book for you!). But more precisely, I was struck with the relationship between Eyas, our (for lack of a better word) space-mortician, whose job is it to handle dead bodies, funeral ceremonies and subsequent "recycling" of the remains into compost, and Sunny, the host (i.e. sex worker) she befriends. Chambers talks about both of their professions with incredible respect and dignity, and I loved it. The two lines of work are often met with tons of prejudices and are deeply misunderstood, and it's lovely to see her bring her heart-warming humane touch to those jobs. I would have loved to see more of their relationship.
---
I just love Becky Chambers. There's no way around it: she writes the kind of sci-fi I've always wanted to read. She writes the kind of sci-fi I wish I had written! "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1434357843?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1) was probably my favorite book of 2017, and I have been eagerly anticipating new "Wayfarer" installments since.
"Record of a Spaceborn Few" starts out shortly after the end of "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet"; but the setting couldn't be more different. After the Earth was rendered uninhabitable, humans built the Exodus Fleet and left their home planet in search of a new place to live. While they were eventually accepted as part of the Galactic Commons and settled small colonies on a few planets, a community of humans remains on the fleet. Known as Exodans, they cherish their traditions and are fiercely loyal to their way of life. But over time, so many have left the Fleet, to settle on other worlds, live different lives. Are the Exodans fated to eventually vanish? How can they insure no one forgets where they came from and how hard they worked to get there? The Exodans are confronted head-on with these questions when a tragic incident kills a significant number of their community.
Just as in Chambers' first book, the story is told by multiple points of view, painting a rich and multilayered picture of what life is like in this universe. She writes with profound compassion and optimist humor; qualities I hunger for insatiably. Her inclusive approach to character development never feels forced: in her head, people have simply gotten to the point where they understand that being open and accepting is the only way to make sure we all survive whatever we have to face.
In Chambers' vivid and flawless world-building, humans were essentially refugees, tolerated by the Galactic Commons and only recently been made an integral part of its community: in many ways, they are still figuring it out, and dealing with a heavy heritage. Some of the characters in this story were born on the Fleet, and for a myriad reasons, want to protect and help it endure... or they begin to wonder if it really is the place for them. A newcomer and an alien academic have a very different interest in this living relic of Human culture: can it be a home? What can their culture learn form it? Their voices are distinct, their personalities and backstory very fleshed out; you get invested in each story line.
"Record of a Spaceborn Few" is engaging, moving and thought-provoking: it's Chambers' most human-centric work yet, and it is a remarkable exploration of what an uprooted humanity - who still hold on to what makes them unique in this big, diverse and complicated universe they travel through - could be like. She has given us consistently amazing space operas for the last few years and I hope she never stops! I can't recommend her books enough. If you are a fan of the series, you cannot miss this wonderful novel.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
switches back and forth from different stories. The aliens were okay (one of them was a human anthropologist, writing about humans choosing to live on their generation ship) It was okay. Kinda slow.
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
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:
No
Summary:
This is the third book in the Wayfarers trilogy and explores some characters mentioned in the first book, and primarily a number of humans living on the Exodus Fleet, a unique subgroup of humans in the intergalactic environment.
Characters 4/5:
The cast of characters in this installment in the trilogy I found fascinating, though maybe slightly less so than previous installments. Whereas previous installments placed a lot of focus on normalising the "other" and introduced us to a vast swathe of aliens and other forms of sentient life, this installment really focused on the remaining humans of the Exodus fleet. I liked everyone, but they were somehow both more relatable and more mundane. Their plights were very... I want to say, soft. Quiet. Much more introspective and careful than those that came before, which were already quiet and introspective. I personally didn't mind it, but it might go too far in this direction for some people.
Plot 4/5:
I'm giving this a four but in a vague sense, because really this book isn't plot driven. It has a minor plot threads that guides the character moments, but really this is a character focused and driven book. What does exist of a plot, I thought was well considered and well executed!
Setting and atmosphere 5/5:
The setting in this was incredibly smart. We really got to see what the initial "escape" from Earth was like, and how that translates into human behaviour in the "today" of the series. The Exodus fleet was so fascinating to read about, and their mechanisms and cultural systems are super well developed. The science and research behind I thought was also fabulously done.
Writing 4.5/5:
I love Becky Chamber's prose. Her writing is just very cleverly designed and I really enjoy it. I do think this is the slowest of her works, so if that's not really your jam, I wouldn't recommend it, but I absolutely ADORE a slow, meandering character study, so this was definitely up my alley. She does a great job reflecting on meaning-of-life style questions and I really appreciate that!
This is the third book in the Wayfarers trilogy and explores some characters mentioned in the first book, and primarily a number of humans living on the Exodus Fleet, a unique subgroup of humans in the intergalactic environment.
Characters 4/5:
The cast of characters in this installment in the trilogy I found fascinating, though maybe slightly less so than previous installments. Whereas previous installments placed a lot of focus on normalising the "other" and introduced us to a vast swathe of aliens and other forms of sentient life, this installment really focused on the remaining humans of the Exodus fleet. I liked everyone, but they were somehow both more relatable and more mundane. Their plights were very... I want to say, soft. Quiet. Much more introspective and careful than those that came before, which were already quiet and introspective. I personally didn't mind it, but it might go too far in this direction for some people.
Plot 4/5:
I'm giving this a four but in a vague sense, because really this book isn't plot driven. It has a minor plot threads that guides the character moments, but really this is a character focused and driven book. What does exist of a plot, I thought was well considered and well executed!
Setting and atmosphere 5/5:
The setting in this was incredibly smart. We really got to see what the initial "escape" from Earth was like, and how that translates into human behaviour in the "today" of the series. The Exodus fleet was so fascinating to read about, and their mechanisms and cultural systems are super well developed. The science and research behind I thought was also fabulously done.
Writing 4.5/5:
I love Becky Chamber's prose. Her writing is just very cleverly designed and I really enjoy it. I do think this is the slowest of her works, so if that's not really your jam, I wouldn't recommend it, but I absolutely ADORE a slow, meandering character study, so this was definitely up my alley. She does a great job reflecting on meaning-of-life style questions and I really appreciate that!