Reviews

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

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fedak's review against another edition

4.0

A science fiction novella that simply follows one of the first small manned missions to explore the exoplanets in a neighboring solar system.

No guns or space battles, no real conflict. Just a tale of frontier exploration and a very rare take that focuses on space travel as a scientific/research endeavor rather than one of colonialization/resource mining

(The title is a line from the recorded message included with the Voyager 1 probe: "I send greetings on behalf of the people of our planet. We step out of our solar system into the universe seeking only peace and friendship, to teach if we are called upon, to be taught if we are fortunate")

effaly's review against another edition

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1.0

I feel like I've missed something. Everyone seems to love this book, and I'm sitting here, wondering what the point of this book is. I really don't understand it. There's no real plot, no real development no nothing. Just page after page of rambling.

allegedarchivist's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective slow-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? Yes

4.25

I always find Chambers’ work to be a comforting place to return to - her outlook on both science and humanity is clear-eyed yet optimistic. Unlike the other work of hers I’ve read, this really was just a dip into the world and the characters and how they think. I found it deeply compelling at points, but it was more just a thoughtful, steady experience. I’d love to check out more novel-length work of hers, though.

aashi123435's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense 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

4.0

dorothy_shack's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

4.75

scseward's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense 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? No

5.0

okto's review against another edition

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5.0

I wasn’t sure in the beginning that I would like this but as we kept going I fell in love with this novella. The story was touching and the ending left a lot to think about. I read this nearly in one sitting and could not put it down.