The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

Wayfarers, Book 1

By: Becky Chambers

Narrated by: Rachel Dulude

Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Series!

The acclaimed modern science-fiction masterpiece, included on Library Journal's Best SFF of 2016, the Barnes & Nobles Sci-Fi Fantasy Blog Best Books of 2015, the Tor.com Best Books of 2015, Reader’s Choice, as well as nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Kitschie, and the Bailey's Women's Prize.

Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space - and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe - in this lighthearted debut space opera from a rising sci-fi star.

Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. While the patched-up ship has seen better days, it offers her a bed, a chance to explore the far-off corners of the galaxy, and most importantly, some distance from her past. An introspective young woman who learned early to keep to herself, she’s never met anyone remotely like the ship’s diverse crew, including Sissix, the exotic reptilian pilot, chatty engineers Kizzy and Jenks, who keep the ship running, and Ashby, their noble captain.

Life aboard the Wayfarer is chaotic and crazy - exactly what Rosemary wants. It’s also about to get extremely dangerous when the crew is offered the job of a lifetime. Tunneling wormholes through space to a distant planet is definitely lucrative and will keep them comfortable for years. But risking her life wasn’t part of the plan. In the far reaches of deep space, the tiny Wayfarer crew will confront a host of unexpected mishaps and thrilling adventures that force them to depend on each other. To survive, Rosemary’s got to learn how to rely on this assortment of oddballs - an experience that teaches her about love and trust and that having a family isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the universe.

©2015 Becky Chambers (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Not what I expected

For the most part, this is an engaging story that is almost exclusively character development and insight. Like a really detailed outline of the characters, rather than an actual story. There are no "bad guys" or action or really any antagonists. It's just some people went somewhere.

I can see why it got awards, though, even though I'm bummed it did. This book is rife with political and societal opinions. If you're progressive or an Identitarian who loves intersectionality you'll love this. If you are conservative or a liberal that doesn't buy into Identitarianism, you'll probably not like it. Here's why [SPOILERS]:

There are nine characters on this ship. The first was raised by two dads. The second is in love with the AI. The fourth comes from a species that is known for orgies within large family groups and free "coupling" who then enters a lesbian relationship with the fifth person. The sixth is a species that starts out female but transitions to male as they age. The seventh goes through a change where their pronouns change to "they" (although zir and zero come up.) The eighth is hated by everyone. The ninth is a pacifist captain in love with a different alien we run into at times. Sex, sexuality, identity, and relationships that cross taboo lines are celebrated and really what the whole book is about.

Under this is an environmental message of how the humans destroyed their planet by ruining the environment, how aliens are misused by evil capitalists who supply weapons to both sides of a conflict, and how newer aliens to the GC are taken advatange of for their (fuel) resources.

If this author didn't intend to be really clearly a proponent of leftist/ progressive political views it would shock me.

If that's your thing, then you'll probably enjoy this book. If it isn't, you'll probably find yourself wondering why you're reading this at all. P

Such A Feel Good Book!

Great character development that moved the story along almost without you noticing. Highly, highly Recommended!

Not bad for a YA, but not enough for me

I came to this book expecting something different than it delivered. Looking at its awards and nominations I was hoping for a sophisticated hard sf treatment, something like Cherryh or Varley or Elizabeth Bear or KK Rusch might deliver. Becky Chambers' worldbuilding is excellent, on a par with anything in the field, but the story was entirely too fluffy for me. It was a telenovela when I was hoping for Masterpiece Theater, cotton candy when I was ready for meat-and-three.

Which is not to say it's not a good, even a brilliant book, and I'll definitely see what Ms. Chambers produces in the future. It just wasn't what I was looking for.

characters, yes - plot, no

The characters and species were very creative and well developed, but the plot was lacking.

Very strong character building

You feel like you really know everyone on the ship. And though there is no real climax the story has a nice flow to it.

I read the book then listened to the audio

wonderful. Full of beautiful, wonderful ideas.a a a a a a a a a

A Sci-Fi novel if the future with beautiful parallels to the present

Beck Chambers introduces us to a galaxy sometime in the distant future where humans are one of many species that coexist. We discover the wonders of the galaxy as we learn about the characters and through their developing relationships the diaspora of the universe.

The pace of the story is good with a well balanced mixture of drama and discovery.

Chambers’ skillful focus on character development is refreshing in the Sci-Fi genre and gives the book a special place in my collection.

phenomenal book

outstanding story, lovable characters beautifully written, I couldn't put it down after picking it up

can't get enough Wayfarer!

really beautiful character oriented take on the classic space opera. some of the best new scifi of the last 10 years without a doubt in my mind (and heart).

Wonderful listening

I enjoyed this book! It really picked up after the first 30 minutes. Becky Chambers created a rich universe with loveable characters. Worth reading more than once! Excellent narration makes this audiobook one of my favorites.