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A review by rwalker101
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
"If I had a nickel for every time I read a novella about a nomadic non-binary monk traveling around to collect peoples' stories, I'd have two nickels . . . which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice, right?" (This joke is a reference to the Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo, if you liked this book you'd probably like those too)
This is a warm hug of a book. This book picked me up after I'd scraped my knee on the playground, cuddled me as it carried me inside, then told me jokes to help me stop crying as it cleaned and applied ointment and a band-aid to my scrape. Afterwards, this book gave me a chocolate chip cookie, and read to me under a fluffy blanket until I fell asleep on its lap. This book kissed me on the forehead as it tucked me in and turned to smile at my sleeping form as it left, looking at me with all the love and affection this world has ever known.
To be more detailed and less facetious: because it is a novella, this book isn't trying to be a grand adventure. There is no great evil to fight, no big problem to solve, no world that needs saving. The book is this: a monk who cannot find fulfillment no matter where they look, a robot with an insatiable curiosity, and a world that is healing. Dex's struggle to find what is missing in their quest for fulfillment is achingly relatable, while Mosscap's curiosity and desire to help, as well as their patience as Dex tries to fully comprehend their culture is utterly endearing.
Solarpunk is a Good Genre. I would like more of it please.
This is a warm hug of a book. This book picked me up after I'd scraped my knee on the playground, cuddled me as it carried me inside, then told me jokes to help me stop crying as it cleaned and applied ointment and a band-aid to my scrape. Afterwards, this book gave me a chocolate chip cookie, and read to me under a fluffy blanket until I fell asleep on its lap. This book kissed me on the forehead as it tucked me in and turned to smile at my sleeping form as it left, looking at me with all the love and affection this world has ever known.
To be more detailed and less facetious: because it is a novella, this book isn't trying to be a grand adventure. There is no great evil to fight, no big problem to solve, no world that needs saving. The book is this: a monk who cannot find fulfillment no matter where they look, a robot with an insatiable curiosity, and a world that is healing. Dex's struggle to find what is missing in their quest for fulfillment is achingly relatable, while Mosscap's curiosity and desire to help, as well as their patience as Dex tries to fully comprehend their culture is utterly endearing.
Solarpunk is a Good Genre. I would like more of it please.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood and Injury/Injury detail