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.

Brilliant

This was very different from Ms. Chambers’ prior works. Far more reflective on what science means, what it is for, and why it should be done, and how a few probing explorers would feel and act in exploring new worlds, rather than how entire societies would feel and act and develop in space. Still thoughtful as to social patterns, but doing so through a solitary group isolated together, rather than as part of a larger whole. Very well written, as always with Ms. Chambers. The narrator, Ms. Pressley, does not seem to naturally take to male voices, but this is a minor limitation, particularly given how well she expresses the wonder and thoughtfulness that are the core of this book.

This is not an action book. But I found it gripping and finished it in a go and listened at 1x speed so as to miss nothing. A lot of things happen, and it does remind me a lot of The Martian with less humor but wider intent and scope. The narrator and the rest of her small crew journey to several distant worlds to explore for science’s sake, and discover life. And that discovery and how they react (on several different worlds) provoke analysis of what science is and should be for. That analysis is fascinating and unusual.

This is overlayed with the fact that communication with Earth takes 14 years so their news is always that far behind, plus the crew were in hibernation for twice that along, so even the out-of-date updates are jarring, as times have changed. A lot. This, also, was well-envisioned.

Ultimately, the brief shining moment that led to space exploration for its own sake worked to get our crew into space, but what about since then? What is Earth like so many decades after they left? I did not see the conclusion coming, and afterward, could not have envisioned a better one.

Chambers never fails to make me feel... human

it's like Becky Chambers came upon the human race and one just how to explain up to the universe. And she did it again.

A quiet lovely piece of science fiction.

Becky Chambers writes incredibly character driven and undeniably perfect works of science fiction. I would recommend everything the woman has ever written. This novella is no different. There is always lgbtqia individuals within her stories. They are always political without ever being heavy handed. This story for its only four characters does not lack for representation. The tantor audio audiobooks are always masterfully recorded and performed. I have ever single one of their recordings of Becky Chambers books. They have a graceful steady charm that could fight a hangover or a migraine. This audio book is just simply lovely.

Great story

What a great book to our possible future and dilemmas that could arise in space.
Brittany’s performance was great and lulled you into some serious emotions.
Great job

Becky Chambers Rocks!

I have read the Wayfarers series and Monk and Robot books, but this escaped my attention until I saw a BookTok recommendation for this novella. It’s quite different from her normal cozy sci-fi fare, but, as an apocalyptic genre reader, this got me. Found family, science passion, and persistence are my jam. It was great!