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izzybell's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, War, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, and Gun violence
neni's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Although it is tecnically scifi set in space (which is still cool on its own), I would describe the plot as relatively slow-paced, and based almost entirely on character studies and character development. Nothing especially adventurous or exciting happens until the end of the book, but each small scene and problem that come up throughout the story serves as a plataform and an opportunity for exploring the characters issues and, most importantly, their relationships with each other.
At first, I wasnt sure how I felt about this model, since I was expecting a fast paced science fiction aventure and thats not at all what this is. However, about half way through I did warm up to it because I started to get attached to the characters themselves and invested in their wellbeing (which is the point I think).
Other positive points I want to mention are:
-the writing style. Its quite simple, nothing extra flowery, but Becky Chambers is quite good at writing dialogue and character interactions in a way that really hits you in the feels
-the world building is fascinating. I found the Aandrisk and Aelon cultures particularly interesting. The exploration of different ways to structure society, families and interpersonal relationships was a joy to read.
That development at the end was so sad, it broke my heart. But it was handled incredibly well.
Also, this is really random, but I cant be the only one that kept picturing Elon Musk everytime Rosemary's shitbag father was mentioned lol
Overall, I enjoyed this and am excited to read the next installments in the series.
Graphic: Medical content, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence
Moderate: War, Xenophobia, and Violence
Minor: Religious bigotry and Medical content
sylvestra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War and Xenophobia
cookiecat73's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Cursing, Gun violence, Torture, Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Confinement, Grief, Medical content, Violence, Acephobia/Arophobia, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Incest, Classism, Drug use, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Vomit, and War
sacredgayometry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Classism, Gun violence, Ableism, Animal death, Death, and Kidnapping
Minor: Xenophobia, Grief, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Ableism, Bullying, Alcohol, Animal death, Terminal illness, Cursing, Murder, and War
There are some challenging themes especially near the end of the book surrounding war, conflict, colonialism and xenophobia. There is challenging content surrounding death and grief as well as memory loss. Cultural misunderstandings and cultural differences are central to the book, and I felt were generally approached very respectfully. Otherwise a lighthearted read.kieranlit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Terminal illness, Violence, and Xenophobia
loss of medical autonomyrgraham's review against another edition
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Ableism
maeverose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
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Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: War, Gore, Terminal illness, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Xenophobia, Ableism, Cursing, Death, and Sexual content
deedireads's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I knew going in that I was very late to the TLWTASAG party, but holy guacamole, I’m so glad to be here now. Becky Chambers and her (should-be) patented cozy sci-fi genre does it again — or, rather, did it here first, as this was her debut novel. It’s a charming, heartwarming, beautifully inclusive character-driven sci-fi that deserves every ounce of hype it’s gotten since it was published in 2016. (Also, fun fact for my litfic readers: This was longlisted for the Women’s Prize!)
The story is about a girl named Rosemary who joins a crew of space tunnelers on their ship, the Wayfarer, to escape … something we come to learn more about over the course of the book. They end up taking a large job a long way away (hence the title), and what we get is a story about friendship and queerness and found family and gender and inclusion and cultural acceptance and body acceptance — all with the added layer of different peoples from different planets with different kinds of bodies.
Truly what makes this book (and all Chambers’ books, tbh), is her big, lovable characters, who are just such good people who do such a good job of being good to one another. I don’t know anyone else who writes so inclusively so naturally, with just enough fun pew-pew on the side.
Perfect for today's fans of Hitchhiker’s Guide or A Psalm for the Wild-Built or Light from Uncommon Stars, this one is simply the perfect big-hearted escape.
Graphic: Violence and Xenophobia
Moderate: Grief and Terminal illness
nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Blood, Death, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, War, Drug use, and Grief