Book Review: A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
By @edent
· Becky Chambers Book Review · 5 comments · 200 words
It’s been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend. One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of “what do people need?” is answered.
This is a delightful and charming novella. It is high-concept sci-fi in a decidedly low-key setting. It is about a non-human helping someone discover their humanity.
But, it is somewhat insubstantial. After the grandeur of the Wayfairers series, this is a more meandering book. Rather than a large cast, it's a two-hander. And rather than the endless universe, it is set along a single road.
It is well set up for a series - but I can't help wishing it were a full-length novel rather than a piecework.
| Verdict |
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- Buy the eBook on Amazon Kindle
- Get the paper book from Hive
- Author's homepage
- Publisher's details
- Borrow from your local library
- ISBN: 9781250236210
@Edent my thoughts exactly! Love the world building, but the book left me hungry for much more.
@Edent I really enjoyed that book - especially it’s slowness.
@Edent I found that one really peaceful and glad I found it when I did during the pandemic.
I had a feeling I'd read you blog about it.
Fwiw, the second novellette feels much more world-building road-movie; I really enjoyed it. But again, might be a bit too much world-building/character-development and not enough “thing happens” for your taste.
Thank you for this recommendation! What a tender and healing story.
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