“Extraordinary . . . A future sci-fi masterwork in a new and welcome tradition.” — Joanne Harris, author of ChocolatA stand-alone science fiction novella from the award-winning, bestselling, critically-acclaimed author of the Wayfarer series.At the turn of the twenty-second century, scientists make a breakthrough in human spaceflight. Through a revolutionary method known as somaforming, … Through a revolutionary method known as somaforming, astronauts can survive in hostile environments off Earth using synthetic biological supplementations. They can produce antifreeze in subzero temperatures, absorb radiation and convert it for food, and conveniently adjust to the pull of different gravitational forces. With the fragility of the body no longer a limiting factor, human beings are at last able to journey to neighboring exoplanets long known to harbor life.
A team of these explorers, Ariadne O’Neill and her three crewmates, are hard at work in a planetary system fifteen light-years from Sol, on a mission to ecologically survey four habitable worlds. But as Ariadne shifts through both form and time, the culture back on Earth has also been transformed. Faced with the possibility of returning to a planet that has forgotten those who have left, Ariadne begins to chronicle the story of the wonders and dangers of her mission, in the hope that someone back home might still be listening.
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Some of the most forward-thinking, inspiring science fiction out there… a joyful antidote to crushed spirits and a celebration of the power of curiosity, love, adventure and discovery.
I devoured this book. Devoured it. I spent all my spare moments reading this book, and it was time well spent. TO BE TAUGHT, IF FORTUNATE follows a small team that is exploring a new solar system for the first time. I loved that it touched on so many different aspects of their mission from their personal relationships, to the alien life they found, to their mistakes, to their ups and downs. The end of the story left off on a question of “what happens next?” and I really want to know what happens to the crew, though I’m not sure a sequel is planned. This had everything I love about a good sci-fi story, and once again, I’m impressed with Becky Chambers’s storytelling skills. She’s one of my favorite authors now.
I think this had what I wanted and didn’t get from The Martian. We have diverse characters, in space, doing science that doesn’t feel so repetitive and maintains moments of actual danger – Times when I was actually worried about how characters would get past an issue. There’s also still the vibes of being kind of alone in the universe, even though there’s four crew members.
An interesting twist on space exploration and the effects of time dilation
I loved this novella, lots of fun learning about the different worlds. There is a wit to Becky Chambers’ writing that I really enjoyed.
Great, as always. It’s about humans being very human, while exploring very alien worlds in a very human way. Think the worlds Jack Vance being explored by N.A.S.A. astronaut, and then one writing a very intelligent and emotionally descriptive diary, as things go to hell at home. That’s not what happens, obviously, but it’s a bit like that. Read it, you won’t be sorry.
I was disappointed in this book. I kept reading it, hoping it would get better but it did not.
This is my first contact with Becky Chambers’s work, and I can’t comment on how it compares with the rest, but I read a review of this novella that intrigued me greatly, and I’m pleased I decided to purchase it and read it. She is a favourite among science-fiction fans, and I can see why.
The description gives a good idea of what the story is about. Ariadne, one of the four members of Lawki 6, a mission part of a programme to explore life outside Earth, with each mission focusing on certain planets that are believed to be able to hold (or develop) some form of life. She is a flight engineer, and each one of the other members of the crew (Elena, Jack, and Chikondi) has their own specialization and their own characteristics. One is a stickler for detail, another one hates early mornings, one is forever listening to music, another one only things about rocks, or plants… They are all young and have spent most of their lives either training or on missions, so although there isn’t much personal information (but there is some) forthcoming, that is not surprising. As the story is narrated in the first person by Ariadne, we hear more from her, but there is enough detail provided to get a sense of how wondrous (but also at time claustrophobic and horrendous) life can be for all of them. And although each one has a different way of coping, they are all tested and survive because they are a team.
I am not a big science-fiction reader and don’t have the knowledge to discuss the ins-and-outs of the science behind the novella, although there is a great deal of research in evidence, which allows readers to understand how things work without overwhelming us with complex explanations. The way the information is delivered reminded me of The Martian, minus the peculiar sense of humour of that novel’s protagonist, and here Ariadne is self-conscious of the fact that what she is explaining might be too much or too little depending on the audience and acknowledges it in her narration. I enjoyed the snippets of science weaved into the story, which I found fascinating, and became even more interested when I read about the author’s sources of information in her acknowledgments. I am not sure hard-core science fiction fans will find this novella up to their standards, but I loved the science part of it as much, if not more, as the fiction. Apart from the science part of the book, the novella also asks some pretty big questions, I’d dare call philosophical, about the nature of knowledge, and what is justified and what is not. Is knowledge for its own sake sufficient? Should everything have a practical application? These are questions humanity has been asking from the beginning of time, and I am not sure we’ll ever get an answer that satisfies everybody.
The writing style combines beautifully descriptive passages (the crew comes across some wonderful landscapes and creatures, and some horrible ones as well), and others where background information is imparted, telling more than showing, although this is fully justified by the premise of the novella, which is a combination of memoir, epistle, and report. There are moments of action, and some when readers are likely to think they know where things are going, but people expecting a standard adventure are bound to be disappointed. This is not a page-turner in the usual sense, and there are many moments of contemplation, wonder, but also of frustration and routine.
The book’s ending is open as it closes with a question, and each reader is free to imagine what comes next. I know what I’d like to happen, but worry that it is unlikely within the premise of the novella. The story proper ends around the 90% mark, as after the acknowledgements there is a sample of another one of the author’s novels, in case readers wonder about its actual length.
I recommend this novella to anybody who enjoys the science bit in science-fiction, and to anybody who likes to imagine and wonder how other worlds might be. It might disappoint those looking for action and adventure, but if you like to let your imagination fly, think, and ask yourself big questions; this novella might be for you. I am sure this won’t be the last of Chamber’s books I read.
This book is almost a memoir from the future rather than plotted fiction. So beautifully developed, with characters you really come to know well. I’ll be following this author from now on–and I hardly ever follow particular SF authors (besides Le Guin).
Very clever and heartbreaking at times. A gripping read. I wish it was longer!
I am such a fan of Becky Chambers, I knew going in this book was getting five stars, hands down. And in the first few pages I wasn’t disappointed. It has everything I’ve come to expect from her as an author, and if you’ve read her other works, then you know what I’m talking about. I find her a refreshing inspirational voice in the sci-fi community and absolutely adore her books. I wish there were more of them!
This book is effectively split into four sections. Everything through the first three parts was wonderful and just what I signed up for. And not that there was anything bad about part 4, but what changed it from a five to a four was how short the part ended. It seemed much more truncated than the other three parts, even though this is technically a novella. And because I had a physical copy of the book, all the extra material at the end led me to believe I had a lot further to go before it was over. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the ending, though I did think it was completely appropriate for the story and fit the narrative. But as someone who likes things to be tied up, it left me wanting. Again, I feel like it’s the ending the story should have, but that doesn’t change how I feel about it.
If you’re a Becky Chambers fan, I think the only part of this book you’ll find disappointing is the short length. I’m looking forward to much more from her in the future.
Sounds good but too expensive for me. How about $3-4?
Rendered with startling clarity, Chambers’ latest offering is a short but fierce ode to humanity and all our reaches and flaws. Unputdownable.
Epic in the scale of discoveries but with a miniaturist’s eye for detail, and as revealing of the observers as the observed. In a word, brilliant.
An exquisite expression of our moment in time. Here’s why we need to keep going boldly into space – not to exploit, but to learn. Impressive and essential.
Becky Chambers takes space opera in a whole new and unexpected direction, her books bring me so much joy.
Extraordinary… A future sci-fi masterwork in a new and welcome tradition.