To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

To Be Taught, If Fortunate

by Becky Chambers

*A NEW NOVELLA FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR*

'Extraordinary . . . A future masterwork' Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat

In the future, instead of terraforming planets to sustain human life, explorers of the galaxy transform themselves.

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 sub-zero 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 explore neighbouring exoplanets long suspected to harbour life.

Ariadne is one such explorer. On a mission to ecologically survey four habitable worlds fifteen light-years from Earth, she and her fellow crewmates sleep while in transit, and wake each time with different features. But as they shift through both form and time, life back on Earth has also changed. Faced with the possibility of returning to a planet that has forgotten those who have left, Ariadne begins to chronicle the wonders and dangers of her journey, in the hope that someone back home might still be listening.

PRAISE FOR THE WAYFARERS

'Becky Chambers is a wonder, and I feel better for having her books in my life' JOHN CONNOLLY

'In a word, brilliant' ANDREW CALDECOTT

'A short but fierce ode to humanity and all our reaches and flaws. Unputdownable' NATASHA NGAN

'Outstanding . . . Chambers packs an immense amount of story into a novella worthy of full-length praise' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, Starred Review

'Becky Chambers takes space opera in a whole new and unexpected direction' BEN AARONOVITCH

Reviewed by Jordon on

4 of 5 stars

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To Be Taught If Fortunate was definitely a good book. I enjoyed it, I really liked how humans had discovered how to ‘somaform’ themselves to be able to adapt to the planets they were exploring. But also, I didn't think it was the most amazing book I've ever read? I definitely think I read too much into the hype for this one.

However, the lessons the astronauts go through are interesting to read. I know that this author is known for writing emotional stories set in the future, so they're not really hard sci-fi, but I definitely was more invested in the sci-fi aspect of this story than I was the character. The planets they explored, the science, the way they were able to travel through space etc.

I definitely wanted more of a resolution at the end with the events that unfolded, but I guess this story really wasn't about telling that part of their story.

I've read a few of Becky Chambers' books now, and I definitely agree that she writes beautifully, and her books are fascinating. So I have rated this book 4 stars and I do recommend reading it. It's a nice short and sweet read.

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Reading updates

  • 31 October, 2021: Started reading
  • 31 October, 2021: on page 0 out of 160 0%
  • 31 October, 2021: on page 0 out of 160 0%
    I've heard this book is amazing/ life-changing/ emotional. So now I'm reading it to see for myself.
  • 5 November, 2021: Finished reading
  • 5 November, 2021: Reviewed