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A review by tallangryplanet
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
As always, Becky Chambers has created an amazingly hopeful world with a story that will leave you feeling all kinds of good. This time we follow Dex, a monk living in the eco-friendly world of Panga, as they try to figure out their life's purpose and end up making an unlikely and curious friend.
The story is set in a completely different world from ours, where humanity has learnt from its mistakes and now cares for their "Earth", leaving part of the planet untouched and wild and trying to be as respectful of its half of the environment as possible. People have all they need, and yet one little monk finds they're never satisfied. While exploring the wild half of the planet they run into a descendant of the robots that left civilization centuries before, and both robot and monk begin to learn from each other. There isn't really a grand plot, as this is more a "slice of life" story, just set in a fantasy world.
The book is a (not so subtle) exploration of the topic of purpose, what truly fulfills us after all our needs are met. It also feels like a promise of the future our planet might have, if we start trying right now, with beautiful descriptions of sustainable living arrangements (honestly, Dex's wagon is The Dream) and of the kindness people are capable of showing one another. The book felt like one of Dex's special cups of tea, this one specifically tailored to comfort my own worries about the climate and our future, even if no specific answers could be given, and Chambers's writing style fits perfectly with the tone of the story.
All in all, this was a perfect comfort read. It's short and sweet, best accompanied by a rainy afternoon and a cup of tea, and I can't recommend it enough.
The story is set in a completely different world from ours, where humanity has learnt from its mistakes and now cares for their "Earth", leaving part of the planet untouched and wild and trying to be as respectful of its half of the environment as possible. People have all they need, and yet one little monk finds they're never satisfied. While exploring the wild half of the planet they run into a descendant of the robots that left civilization centuries before, and both robot and monk begin to learn from each other. There isn't really a grand plot, as this is more a "slice of life" story, just set in a fantasy world.
The book is a (not so subtle) exploration of the topic of purpose, what truly fulfills us after all our needs are met. It also feels like a promise of the future our planet might have, if we start trying right now, with beautiful descriptions of sustainable living arrangements (honestly, Dex's wagon is The Dream) and of the kindness people are capable of showing one another. The book felt like one of Dex's special cups of tea, this one specifically tailored to comfort my own worries about the climate and our future, even if no specific answers could be given, and Chambers's writing style fits perfectly with the tone of the story.
All in all, this was a perfect comfort read. It's short and sweet, best accompanied by a rainy afternoon and a cup of tea, and I can't recommend it enough.