A review by rorikae
A Psalm for the Wild-Built, by Becky Chambers
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
'A Psalm for the Wild-Built' by Becky Chambers is a quiet, thoughtful novella about finding your place in the world through the eyes of a tea monk and a robot.
Sibling Dex works as a tea monk, a wandering monk that brings tea and a moment of calm to the cities that they stop at. One day, they begin to want something more for their life and so they set off to find a hermitage in the abandoned woods. In the process, they meet a robot named Mosscap who has been tasked to determine what humanity needs. Together they seek answers to their own questions while completing the trek to the hermitage.
This is such a wonderful hug of a story. Chambers has created an intriguing world that we get to discover through the eyes of Dex and their story. Though the wider questions asked in the story are existential in nature, Chambers approaches them in a way that feels accessible and positive. Mosscap allows Chambers to pry into aspects of humanity to better understand them and in the process we come to better understand them as well. Given the novella length and the topics, there aren't large plot points but this fits perfectly with the grounded nature of the story.
I love the idea of tea monks bringing a moment of calm to people who need it. It is a job that I would gladly take up if it was something in our world.
I am so excited to see where this story goes next. Chambers explores enough in this first installment for it to feel whole while also leaving room for so much more to be explored in further installments. I have been loving novella series recently and this has shot to the top as one of my favorites (even if there is only one book out so far). I cannot wait for the second book this summer. If you need a quiet, welcoming book that will make you feel as if you have visited the tea monk's tent, then you really must pick up 'A Psalm for the Wild-Built.'
Sibling Dex works as a tea monk, a wandering monk that brings tea and a moment of calm to the cities that they stop at. One day, they begin to want something more for their life and so they set off to find a hermitage in the abandoned woods. In the process, they meet a robot named Mosscap who has been tasked to determine what humanity needs. Together they seek answers to their own questions while completing the trek to the hermitage.
This is such a wonderful hug of a story. Chambers has created an intriguing world that we get to discover through the eyes of Dex and their story. Though the wider questions asked in the story are existential in nature, Chambers approaches them in a way that feels accessible and positive. Mosscap allows Chambers to pry into aspects of humanity to better understand them and in the process we come to better understand them as well. Given the novella length and the topics, there aren't large plot points but this fits perfectly with the grounded nature of the story.
I love the idea of tea monks bringing a moment of calm to people who need it. It is a job that I would gladly take up if it was something in our world.
I am so excited to see where this story goes next. Chambers explores enough in this first installment for it to feel whole while also leaving room for so much more to be explored in further installments. I have been loving novella series recently and this has shot to the top as one of my favorites (even if there is only one book out so far). I cannot wait for the second book this summer. If you need a quiet, welcoming book that will make you feel as if you have visited the tea monk's tent, then you really must pick up 'A Psalm for the Wild-Built.'
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief