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A review by jhbandcats
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This stand-alone novella struck me as very different in tone from Becky Chambers' other books I've read, far more serious. It's not that her other books aren't serious; rather her other books seem hopeful. Maybe I was just bogged down by the action on Opera, the ocean planet, and also bothered by the ambiguity and the not knowing of the ending.
There are only four characters, Ariadne the engineer and her astronaut companions. There's a biologist, a geologist, and a meteorologist. All were appealing as was their congenial relationship. They all still loved each other as colleagues and friends despite being stuck together for so many years. Their warm companionship gets them through some tough times.
I also liked the wildly different planets (and moon) they explored - Becky Chambers is excellent at bringing her vivid imagination to life on the page and I was left wanting more of Mirabilis. The bizarre creatures - the different shapes and bodies and functions of both flora and fauna. are amazing, intriguing, and horrifying.
Not being a scientist, I didn't really get the part about chirality and the discovery at the end, but that's just me. I always look forward to Becky Chambers' books - she writes some of the most fun and fascinating sci-fi available.
There are only four characters, Ariadne the engineer and her astronaut companions. There's a biologist, a geologist, and a meteorologist. All were appealing as was their congenial relationship. They all still loved each other as colleagues and friends despite being stuck together for so many years. Their warm companionship gets them through some tough times.
I also liked the wildly different planets (and moon) they explored - Becky Chambers is excellent at bringing her vivid imagination to life on the page and I was left wanting more of Mirabilis. The bizarre creatures - the different shapes and bodies and functions of both flora and fauna. are amazing, intriguing, and horrifying.
Not being a scientist, I didn't really get the part about chirality and the discovery at the end, but that's just me. I always look forward to Becky Chambers' books - she writes some of the most fun and fascinating sci-fi available.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Animal death