To Be Taught, If Fortunate

De: Becky Chambers

Narrado por: Brittany Pressley

“Extraordinary . . . A future sci-fi masterwork in a new and welcome tradition.” -- Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat

A stand-alone science fiction novella from the award-winning, bestselling, critically-acclaimed author of the Wayfarer series.

At the turn of the twenty-second century, scientists make a breakthrough in human spaceflight. Through a revolutionary method known as somaforming, astronauts can survive in hostile environments off Earth using synthetic biological supplementations. They can produce antifreeze in subzero temperatures, absorb radiation and convert it for food, and conveniently adjust to the pull of different gravitational forces. With the fragility of the body no longer a limiting factor, human beings are at last able to journey to neighboring exoplanets long known to harbor life.

A team of these explorers, Ariadne O’Neill and her three crewmates, are hard at work in a planetary system fifteen light-years from Sol, on a mission to ecologically survey four habitable worlds. But as Ariadne shifts through both form and time, the culture back on Earth has also been transformed. Faced with the possibility of returning to a planet that has forgotten those who have left, Ariadne begins to chronicle the story of the wonders and dangers of her mission, in the hope that someone back home might still be listening.

A Contemplative Story, Worth the Listen

This novella is full of poignant moments on what it means to be an explorer and a scientist. It gets into the gritty details of the work while still fleshing out and maintaining the humanity of a small, diverse group of characters – all framed with an insightful inquiry to the imagined reader.

This was a reflective, hopeful read that is probably – if I'm being honest – not for everyone. Much of the narrative is philosophic in nature, and while there is action, it is often punctuated with long stretches of curious narrative and interpersonal development. The fact that there doesn't seem to be an unnecessary component in the entire narrative, which does offset the contemplative components. The plot is tight and well developed and the whole thing is self-contained, making this a brilliant but quick read.

Fans of Becky Chambers' Wayfarer novels will enjoy this, generally, but it is not related to that work. I also think 'To be Taught, If Fortunate' is on the whole a demonstration of the author's amazing progression since the first entry of that series, which set a high bar to start. the narrator did justice to the story as well, setting the tone the whole way through.

Space Exploration and Humanity

I enjoyed this story, both the pacing and the science of it. It made me feel lonely and slightly sad at moments, the thought of space and only having a handful of humans to talk to while watching history happen from a distance.

But it was a good story, I liked the writing and the exploration aspect.

My favorite yet

I have listened to the Wayfarer series, but this is my favorite Becky Chambers book yet. I like their love of scientific inquiry, the imagined worlds, and even the uncertain ending.
The narrator is MUCH better than the narrator for the Wayfarer series.

pure "science" fiction

the author packs a lot of science into this riveting journey to new worlds and leaves you with the big questions about the fundamental mysteries about who we are and this strange stage of the universe that we play out our lives on

stellar story, written and narrated masterfully

I cannot express what a joy it has been listening to Chambers' books. They have been original and precious and a wonderful, educational, and philosophical experience.