A review by betanine
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
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
4.0
This was a challenging book. I started a couple of times. Abandoned it once. Then on a whim came back to it. There are some books that are harder for me on audio than reading the words. This might be one of them. This took concentrated focus on listening to get through this book. Chambers lays out a methodology for exploring a new planet in another solar system from the excitement of discovering something new down to the mundane tedium of doing science. The writing creates the feelings of these two realities. At times, it sounds a bit like listening to a science lecture at university. For those well versed in scientific method, probably took more than the seven science classes I took, this might feel like too much time served on fundamentals. For those like me, who have even forgotten most of what I learned in those seven classes, it helped remind me of the thought process behind science, why it is performed the way it is, and why few people care if they can’t make money on it.
The story puts the reader in a few different positions, with a different set of questions to answer with each world. If this were a Christian story, these would be the preaching moments with an altar call at the end. That being said, there is no shaming or blaming, no judgment or insult. It is a genuine presentation of what is, the ready to consider rather than walk away with little thought.
Who is this book for?
- People who like science. Earth sciences in particular.
- People who like a scientific take that isn’t wildly fantasy.
- People who are curious about the perspective of the science minded, especially in relation to earth science.
Who is this book not for:
- People who believe science as it is practiced now is intentionally anti-God
- People who are looking for an exciting space adventure.
- People who are looking for a quick, light read.
Content advisories: Adult language, references to non-monogamous sexual activity (no graphic descriptions).
The story puts the reader in a few different positions, with a different set of questions to answer with each world. If this were a Christian story, these would be the preaching moments with an altar call at the end. That being said, there is no shaming or blaming, no judgment or insult. It is a genuine presentation of what is, the ready to consider rather than walk away with little thought.
Who is this book for?
- People who like science. Earth sciences in particular.
- People who like a scientific take that isn’t wildly fantasy.
- People who are curious about the perspective of the science minded, especially in relation to earth science.
Who is this book not for:
- People who believe science as it is practiced now is intentionally anti-God
- People who are looking for an exciting space adventure.
- People who are looking for a quick, light read.
Content advisories: Adult language, references to non-monogamous sexual activity (no graphic descriptions).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content