The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet
Apr. 21st, 2018 03:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alobearSo far this year, I have consumed 28 books, most of which I have enjoyed.
However, by far my favourite so far is The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, which I listened to over the last ten days or so. For some reason, when it was recommended to me, I thought the title was a metaphor for an existential search for humanity on Earth, so I was very surprised to encounter a full-on sci-fi romp, following the crew of the tunnelling spaceship Wayfarer on a dangerous mission to the centre of the universe.
I loved the crew, made up of several humans, representatives of various alien races, and a very sweet AI. They were brilliantly brought to life by the audiobook narrator, Patricia Rodriguez, who came up with some marvellous voices.
My favourite thing about the book is the exploration of the various and diverse relationships that represent plenty of different types of lifestyle. There are tensions and secrets aboard the Wayfarer, but their crew is a family and they will work things out together.
Wrapped up in an entertaining, fluffy, exciting and tremendously fun package, the book manages to explore some really interesting and deep ethical themes of personhood and individual agency, with different alien cultures clashing quite violently in places. The climax is a great action set piece, and the resolution of the various subplots is tragic, satisfying and heartwarming all at once.
I was delighted to learn that this is the first book in a trilogy and I can't wait to follow the crew of the Wayfarer on more adventures in the future.
However, by far my favourite so far is The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, which I listened to over the last ten days or so. For some reason, when it was recommended to me, I thought the title was a metaphor for an existential search for humanity on Earth, so I was very surprised to encounter a full-on sci-fi romp, following the crew of the tunnelling spaceship Wayfarer on a dangerous mission to the centre of the universe.
I loved the crew, made up of several humans, representatives of various alien races, and a very sweet AI. They were brilliantly brought to life by the audiobook narrator, Patricia Rodriguez, who came up with some marvellous voices.
My favourite thing about the book is the exploration of the various and diverse relationships that represent plenty of different types of lifestyle. There are tensions and secrets aboard the Wayfarer, but their crew is a family and they will work things out together.
Wrapped up in an entertaining, fluffy, exciting and tremendously fun package, the book manages to explore some really interesting and deep ethical themes of personhood and individual agency, with different alien cultures clashing quite violently in places. The climax is a great action set piece, and the resolution of the various subplots is tragic, satisfying and heartwarming all at once.
I was delighted to learn that this is the first book in a trilogy and I can't wait to follow the crew of the Wayfarer on more adventures in the future.
