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A review by cocoonofbooks
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
4.5
This was a compelling novella that, at its essence, asks the reader a question about humans' role in the universe without itself answering it. What value comes from exploring the reaches of space? What harm could come from it? What are the consequences of not doing it? What are the costs of doing it, and are they worth it?
Ariadne is one of four astronauts exploring a set of exoplanets that appear to have the conditions to support life. I found it to be a nice balance of plot (what adventures or misadventures will they have on each planet?), character study (how do these four humans interact under the best and worst conditions?), and existential questions. As usual, Chambers offers a beautifully queer cast of characters. This isn't something I'd necessarily rush to press into someone's hands (the way I absolutely have done with A Psalm for the Wild-Built and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet), but if you're looking for a grown-up, more diverse version of those classic children's books where each chapter is its own adventure and ultimately it's about growing up, this is a great fit for that.
Ariadne is one of four astronauts exploring a set of exoplanets that appear to have the conditions to support life. I found it to be a nice balance of plot (what adventures or misadventures will they have on each planet?), character study (how do these four humans interact under the best and worst conditions?), and existential questions. As usual, Chambers offers a beautifully queer cast of characters. This isn't something I'd necessarily rush to press into someone's hands (the way I absolutely have done with A Psalm for the Wild-Built and The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet), but if you're looking for a grown-up, more diverse version of those classic children's books where each chapter is its own adventure and ultimately it's about growing up, this is a great fit for that.