Blurb
At the turn of the twenty-second century, scientists make a breakthrough in human spaceflight. 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.
The book cover below includes alt-text.
Impressions
If you know me, you know I love Becky Chambers. After finishing her Monk and Robot series, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye, so I searched for something I haven’t read yet and found this novella to my delight.
Unsurprisingly, I loved the book. It has the trademark cozy feeling. Becky Chambers takes us on a journey with a small crew of scientists who travel to different planets to study life. As always, I was amazed how well she understood her characters and their unique circumstances, and how real it all felt. What resonated the most was the awe of life and its various forms that I share with the characters, their childlike fascination with discovery and open-minded curiosity.
I loved the idea of leaving no trace to the best of the characters’ ability, and scientific study for the sake of knowledge funded by the public. It’s not for profit, not to discover a place for humanity to travel to or set up a colony. It’s just to see what it’s like out there and learn from it. This gentle and respectful approach to other worlds and their life is something I wish we could apply to our own planet and each other. It’s another thing that resonated with me.
There were also some dark themes that I will leave for the reader to discover.
The ending left me sad and longing for something. It left some unanswered questions about what had happened on Earth and what the future held for the characters. It would have been more satisfying for me if I knew those answers. I think the ending was fitting for the story, and yet I wanted more.
You might enjoy the story if you like Becky Chambers, realistic space exploration, and are looking for a short and calm read.
You can get To Be Taught If Fortunate at Kobo, Barnes&Noble, Apple, Amazon and other bookstores.
Featured image by ThankYouFantasyPictures.