Reviews

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

kargopants's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

autumnal54's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

torigray's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

anoia_storyweaver's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A

4.0

Introspective, yearning for the stars

mariebrunelm's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

This novella takes the shape of a long letter from the engineer in a crew of four sent on a mission to explore four planets. The reason for this letter is unclear at first but it is explained bit by bit and yes, it is heartbreaking, as all of Becky Chambers’ stories are. They break your heart to let the light seep in.

The narrative is quite limited in this novella so I won’t go into details, but it has everything that makes a perfect book - endearing characters who treat each other with the utmost respect, a queer cast, huge questions put into simple words, and so much heart. If you haven’t yet read a book by Becky Chambers, please rush. If you have, you know what I’m talking about.

Rep: bi MC, asexual SC, trans SC.

spidergirl502's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

hannah_the_sheep's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

sophieguillas's review against another edition

5.0

I think the most devastating parts of this book was how it positioned the human frailty of the astronauts so closely with the scientific elements. The missions progress can only move forward because of a really human desire for knowledge but making individuals go out in pursuit of scientific progress will always be alienating. It's most obvious in Ariadne's horror at seeing her natural body after years of modifications to survive in hostile environments, but I thought it was the most interesting in this recurring idea that they would have to come home to a world that they don't fit into anymore. Even in an ideal situation the concept is horrible and I was so interested in how the teams on earth and in space understood this return so differently. TRAGIC. I think this tension was developed really well but I wanted more from the characters and world building which makes sense considering the length of the book. I'm going to read Long Way to a Small Angry Planet soon so I'm hoping to get that sort of detail there!

marsh_mall0w's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Suicide attempt, Animal death, and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Gun violence and Grief

Minor: War

archerb's review against another edition

5.0

Becky Chambers can do no wrong in my eyes, 10/10, every time.

This short blink of a story felt more on the Psalm side of the Psalm - Angry Planet spectrum imo despite the obvious space setting, a beautiful and intriguing meditation on the risk, reward, and nature of scientific discovery and pioneering adventure.