A Psalm for the Wild-Built

Antolius reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

Beautifully true

5 stars

Thoroughly delightful respite from gloomy books I've been reading lately.

I've enjoyed Becky Chambers' work for years, and I feel she distilled it to perfection in this novella. Length-wise it is just enough to paint a picture of a beautiful solarpunk world, and to give us characterization of Dex, the main protagonist. There is nothing superfluous to it, and there is no rush either; the pace is contemplative and purposeful.

I loved the world building; the slow paced, hopeful world of Panga feels like a perfect place for me. On the other hand, it is a clever backdrop for Dex's angst and struggle to find their own purpose in life. Chambers pulls off a great feat with portrayal of Dex; they feel rich, complex and fully realized human being. Clever too is the contrast of the titular robot to Dex's monk, and the cute, often philosophical exchanges between them.

I …

Thoroughly delightful respite from gloomy books I've been reading lately.

I've enjoyed Becky Chambers' work for years, and I feel she distilled it to perfection in this novella. Length-wise it is just enough to paint a picture of a beautiful solarpunk world, and to give us characterization of Dex, the main protagonist. There is nothing superfluous to it, and there is no rush either; the pace is contemplative and purposeful.

I loved the world building; the slow paced, hopeful world of Panga feels like a perfect place for me. On the other hand, it is a clever backdrop for Dex's angst and struggle to find their own purpose in life. Chambers pulls off a great feat with portrayal of Dex; they feel rich, complex and fully realized human being. Clever too is the contrast of the titular robot to Dex's monk, and the cute, often philosophical exchanges between them.

I also liked the book's ending. It might leave things seemingly unresolved, but the story climax presents convincing argument for the value of self discovery over finding the (unattainable) solutions. In its philosophy, its character and world building, and its beauty, this story felt true to me, and that's my favorite thing.

Juhana reviewed Veisu luonnonkoneille by Becky Chambers (Munkki ja robotti, #1)

Makeaa yrttiteetä vivahduksella hapanta

4 stars

Leppoisaksi tätä kirjaa on kutsuttu, jolloin oli pelkona, että tämä olisikin tylsistyttävän jonninjoutava mukavuudenhaluisessa avaruushippeilyssään. Mutta olihan tässä jotain konfliktia, mutta lähinnä sisäistä, sellaista eksistentiaalista introspektiivistä tuskaa. Kirjan maullinen tasapaino on ainakin kohdallaan, ja kirja tuli luettua sen verta ripeästi, että ehkä luen toistekin ennen toisen osan käännöksen ilmestymistä.

Tästä on vaikea keksiä mitään suoranaisesti moitittavaa, joitakin kyynisiä voi tosin mietityttää miljöön amerikan länsirannikkomainen pehmeys. Toisaalta voidaan tarinassa havaita piikkejä city-vihreille ja heidän ongelmallisesta suhteesta luonnon kanssa, mutta humoristisella ja rakkaudella hahmoja kohtaan. Voidaan kait sanoa, että "ihan kiva" on reilu ja tarkka arvio kirjasta.

Anders reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

Different SciFi

5 stars

This short book is a non violent and non confrontational story that is dramatically different to normal science and fiction. The story is still captivating.

kowry reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

Leppoisaa utopistista skifiä

No rating

Kirjan maailmassa ihmiset elävät vehreissä kestävän teknologian kaupungeissa ja puolet planeetasta (tai siis kuusta) on rauhoitettu ihmiskunnalta. Ihmiskunnan muinoin rakentamat ja sitten omille teilleen lähteneet robotit ovat jo melkein unohdettua historiaa. Päähenkilö, kiertävänä "teemunkkina" toimiva Dex, lähtee etsimään merkityksen tunnetta ja törmää robottiin, joka on lähtenyt tutustumaan ihmisten yhteiskuntaan.

Eli siis jonkinlaista tekno-optimistista ja utopistista skifiä on tämä lyhytromaani. Mulle melko uutta "solarpunk"-termiä on myös käytetty teosta kuvaamaan. Ihan kivasti kirjoitettu ja sympaattinen tarina elämän merkityksen etsimisestä, jotenkin liiankin kiva ja mukava. Ehkä kaipaan skifiltäni enemmän konfliktia ja säröä.

el dang reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

Sweet, lovely, cozy fantasy but not without emotional tension

5 stars

What a joy this book was! It's a fairly light adventure, but with an emotional journey, some relatable characters, and a setting that feels like a relatively positive future with some unspecified dark times in its past.

This was the #SFFBookClub April pick

Ika Makimaki reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

A warm cuddle in a wicked scary world

5 stars

As other reviewers have already said: it is a truly gentle, hopeful, beautiful story about connection and self discovery and communication. It's got a post capitalist, solarpunk vibe of a world I'd love to inhabit, an appreciation for little pleasures and little deals, loveable characters, and it's also insightful and wise. Plus the main character rides a bicycle as their main form of transportation!

I now want to leave it all and become a wandering tea monk with a bike. That's how perfect this book is. Loved it.

steampunkLemur reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

A breath of fresh air, the wild-built could be us

5 stars

Content warning Spoilers

The prose is powerful. The attention to detail, opens up our imaginations towards the possibilities of a solarpunk world. High tech only when needed. We're not the center of the cosmos.

This is the kind of science fiction that makes me hopeful. Makes me sad as well. Sad that I will not live to see this world, but it could have been different, if history were to take a different course.

I wish the book was longer. I want to become a tea monk. I want to be a robot that stares at stalagmites for 30 years in a row.

There's a sequel, I know. But I wish there were a thousand sequels.

steampunkLemur reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

A breath of fresh air, the wild-built could be us

5 stars

Content warning Spoilers

The prose is powerful. The attention to detail, opens up our imaginations towards the possibilities of a solarpunk world. High tech only when needed. We're not the center of the cosmos.

This is the kind of science fiction that makes me hopeful. Makes me sad as well. Sad that I will not live to see this world, but it could have been different, if history were to take a different course.

I wish the book was longer. I want to become a tea monk. I want to be a robot that stares at stalagmites for 30 years in a row.

There's a sequel, I know. But I wish there were a thousand sequels.

Catship reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

❤️💕

5 stars

This is so soothing omg.

Rachel Unkefer reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

Review of 'A Psalm for the Wild-Built' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I wanted to read this because I had heard about this genre of ‚Äúhope punk‚Äù or ‚Äúcozy punk,‚Äù and I was curious. As I expected, there was no real conflict, or any jeopardy or much in the way of stakes. But this is what the genre is about, giving a break from the catastrophe that is our current world, so on that count, I would give it a high score, but I prefer novels with more at stake and more conflict. But I can see how many who are very stressed in everyday life and stressed about the planet and technology might take comfort in this sort of a book (not that I‚Äôm not stressed about these things, but I guess I‚Äôm used to higher level of stress). I don‚Äôt expect to continue with the series, but who knows?

Michael P reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

Review of 'A Psalm for the Wild-Built' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Cozy Buddhist Science Fantasy

Wild Woila reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

A perfect cup of #solarpunk tea

5 stars

Despite living in a utopia, a dissatisfied monk embarks upon a journey of self-discovery, illuminated by a charmingly inquisitive robot. Felt like a perfect cup of tea, served by a best friend with a warm embrace. This is #solarpunk.

Noisy Deadlines reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

Feels like a warm embrace

5 stars

This novella felt like a warm embrace. It's cozy, cute and light. A traveling tea monk exploring the world coming in contact with a conscious robot. Robots were long forgotten by humanity, having fled to the wilderness to live their own lives. I loved the discussions about life purpose and consciousness. It made me want to continue reading the next one.

cjhubbs@bookrastinating.com reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

Review of 'A Psalm for the Wild-Built' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

Simply lovely and delightful. It’s somehow as if Wendell Berry started writing sci-fi short stories. I will be coming back to this one for sure.

Rainer reviewed A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (Monk and Robot, #1)

Another masterpiece from Becky Chambers

5 stars

My god, this was a delightful book. The only bad thing about this book is that now I really want to be a tea monk who travels around on a tiny home ebike. Everything else was splendid and fantastic.

jzacsh@bookwyrm.social

rated it

Oct. 24, 2021

reading tofu

rated it

April 23, 2023

A Psalm for the Wild-Built

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