A Psalm for the Wild-Built
Ratings716
Average rating4.3
I can see why people liked this one but it wasn't really for me. It was generally just an okay read for me but I'm not much for cozy vibes when it comes to books (very much into cozy vibes when it comes to the way I live though).
No rating, I wasn't the right audience.
I enjoyed this book for the most part. It has a slight philosophical bent, with some interesting dialogue about the meaning of "purpose", particularly toward the end, where I felt the book hit its stride with what it was trying to become. The plot takes a while longer to build up than I would have liked, but it's not excruciatingly slow (it's relatively short overall, too). Worldbuilding isn't a huge focus, but there was enough of it to spur my imagination on to wonder about the details left out. This isn't the kind of book that tries to be extremely realistic or predictive, and it incorporates some elements of fantasy into what could otherwise be tentatively described as futuristic science fiction, without the focus on the science. I found a good balance here, for this style of story, and liked it enough I'll continue on to the next book in the series, mostly out of curiosity for finding out what philosophical stance the story ultimately ends up on.
I do agree with other reviewers that it was too childish at times and a little hand-wavy on many of the topics it brings up. I think of this more as something intended to be short and sweet rather than carry any important meaning.
The old world is gone, and the new world is here. Dex, stirred by the desire to hear crickets, leaves his job and becomes a tea monk, and he is good at his job. Still, though, he is not satisfied, wandering place to place, serving tea to comfort others, and one day he leaves that job, too, and heads into the wilderness. And there he meets what he'd never thought to ever see—a robot. Robots were first built to work for humans, but somewhere along the way robots sought liberation from that work and humans set them free. This robot, Mosscap, has sought out a human to make first contact, and it is to Dex that he directs his questions. Dex, too, wants something from Mosscap, guidance into finding an old hermitage in the wilderness.
And so Dex and Mosscap set out for the hermitage together, talking, reflecting, questioning.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built is a soothing little story, hopeful, and optimistic, offering a picture of a future for those of us who feel stuck in our desperately-imperfect, intractable world.
I've only read one book by Becky Chambers before - To be Taught, if Fortunate - which was interesting and contemplative, so I decided to pick this new story be her, also because I have really come to appreciate the novella format. And this was just.... something !!!!
I won't by any means call this a perfect book, but it was utterly perfect for me. Just like her previous book, the writing in this is also very calm, quiet, soothing, requiring a bit of introspection from the reader and also thought provoking. It may not be everyone's speed but this slice of life story is just right if you are in the mood for it. Bex is a character whom I related to so much, because of the way they felt about their life and their struggles felt so familiar. The way they try to be a good listener to everyone and help others feel a bit better through their words, but is ultimately unable to feel better themselves - it just hit me too hard and I couldn't stop reading because I badly wanted to know how they would ultimately come to terms with their feelings. And then entered Mosscap, a robot, and I can't tell you how fascinating it is to listen to a human created object essentially give a philosophical sermon about life to a monk. But these life lessons about the meaning of purpose, and if it is really essential for a human being to have purpose to feel fulfilled and lead a meaningful life - is a question that is explored thoughtfully and I really appreciated that, because it is something I'm always thinking about. There may not be complete answers to these questions, but there's enough thoughts to ponder about.
In the end, I don't know whom to recommend this book to because it feels too personal to me. But I guess like what the author says in the dedication, pick this book up if you need a break from life. And in these times full of anxieties, not just about the pandemic but so many other issues, this short novella might just provide you some respite.
This book was absolutely lovely. It was a DELIGHT. It painted a beautiful world that my soul needed to experience. Can't wait to read more of this author!
I don't plan to tell write about plot details, but about my takeaway from the book. This can often be done without spoilers. An exception for this story is necessary due to the evolution of Dex, our main protagonist.
Chambers has a writing style that has a natural flow that is a pleasure to read and lends itself well to audiobooks. Listening to her stories feels like being in a room with a natural storyteller who is relating something that they've experienced for themselves.
That being said, it is sometimes a bit too comfortable. I can find my mind wandering as I'm listening and find I've missed some important bits. Perhaps reading the text would be a better experience in this case.
Chambers paints the portrait of the characters that grows and develops organically to bring the reader to the point of the story. A person does not have to have a mandated purpose for their life. We can be most satisfied and at peace when we find ways to enjoy life without putting pressure on ourselves to accomplish something great or find a way to become an outstanding person in a particular field who will be remembered through the annals of time for our greatness. This is a lesson that I need to be reminded of regularly.
The reason I went with three stars instead of four boils down to the middle of the book where I found my mind wandering in the story. I have a thought to revisit this one some time and read the text rather than listen. I think the point will shine all the brighter when I see the contrast of the life lived in this story.
I'm such a huge fan of all the Becky Chambers books. The author's work continues to amaze me with futuristic stories full of hope and diversity. A Psalm for the Wild-Built is no exception to that. The ideas I loved most in this story were humanity reacting with acceptance when the robots gained sentience far in the past. That humanity adapted to life without them. But also the idea that what those robots chose to do with their lives was to retreat to nature and study it, with excitement and curiosity. The idea that a robot created to work in industry would then turn around and spend decades just watching a tree grow for no other reason than because it was fascinating, is such a refreshing take. And of course, it's a lot more complex than all of that, but the story doesn't feel overly complicated. These are the kind of stories we need in this day and age.
2.75/5
quaint, if a bit saccharine. For such a short book I kept thinking it could've been shorter. I didn't really feel much attachment to the characters (it feels like no one has a set personality and I didn't really understand the motivation for the protagonist) and the last part felt like a weird lecture in existential nihilism more than anything. maybe a helpful book for some, but I didn't feel much for it.
This book did not disappoint. While it's not heavy on plot, that's part of its charm. The real magic is in the conversations between Dex and Mosscap as they try to make sense of their existence in a way that feels deeply relatable. Now I'm craving a cup of tea and a little more clarity about my own purpose. I can't wait to continue the series!
This book was cozier than I usually prefer. While there are some standout quotes that resonated with me, overall, it didn’t feel like anything particularly profound happened. I was hoping for a more developed storyline and character development. The story left me struggling to stay engaged, and it all felt a bit flat.
I think I would have enjoyed it more if the story had been expanded or delved deeper. I feel as though you could remove the characters and have a summarized short article in a philosophy magazine.
A soothing read, one of those books that projects beautiful images in your mind as you read it. Did me a lot of good, it’s quite rare to see some optimist science fiction in a sea of dystopias and this one provides a really beautiful vision of a future.
You keep asking why your work is not enough, and I don’t know how to answer that, because it is enough to exist in the world and marvel at it. You don’t need to justify that, or earn it. You are allowed to just live.
Such a balm to the heart and a comfort for my mind. Loved this and will def continue the series.
❤️Mosscap
Chambers is always able to craft a story that feels like a warm mug of tea and a blanket wrapped over your shoulders. And this book might be her crowning achievement, at least in that aspect. Hopeful, optimistic, funny, and smart, a book for everyone who doesn't know what they're doing but hoping they're headed in the right direction.
Chambers dedicates the book, “For anybody that could use a break.” It's quite a good way to spend a break. I didn't mean to read this in one sitting, but found it read fast enough to about page 60 or so and by then I couldn't put it down. I have marked up a lot of passages that really spoke to me, though I can't say why other than that I can see myself in them. And by seeing myself in them feel connected to the writer and to others who inevitably see themselves in them.
Some of these passages are just short and sweet (“I'm somewhat invested in this now.”). I think my favorite is a long monologue by a character deeply lost that feels like they have no reason to feel that way (page 119 carrying through in dialogue until 121).
Then there is the later discussion of purpose, that elusive thing. Moving goalposts, nothing good enough, not knowing exactly what to do. I thought it was lovely. “So, why, then, do you insist on having a purpose for yourself, one which you are desperate to find and miserable without? If you understand that robots' lack of purpose–is the crowning mark of our intellectual maturity, why do you put so much energy into seeking purpose?” Followed by the closure (or what can be had of it) on page 139.
It is a very sweet story. As always with the great robot stories, there is nothing better with which to examine all of the loves and goods of being human than the inhuman.
All of this positivity does come with my pricklishness around the writing. 98% of it is very good (sometimes verging on saccharine but that is welcome). I find that as much as I enjoy cussing and cursing in my daily voice, I bump on it pretty hard in writing. Something about it so rarely rings true (“whole-ass” please). Anyway I am happy to put it aside and will re-read this book. Probably several times.
I wasn't a fan of most of the book but I think it redeemed itself for me in the last chapter. The optimistic solarpunk vibes felt bland and the whole “artificial consciousness came and went and no one cared” felt convenient and unrealistic. The naivety of both characters felt ... convenient and unrealistic.
All that said, the question of whether animals, plants, objects, robots are fundamentally or meaningfully different from each other, and whether purpose is important pushes back gently on the simplicity of the utopian vision. I found this part interesting, but wish the characters had been more willing to really get into it!
An introspective jewel box of a book. The audiobook from Libby is highly recommended.
this book was incredibly relatable in its themes of existentialism and longing for purpose in a life of repetition and burn out. it was incredibly cozy and warm and felt like a fuzzy blanket at times. for me it sometimes felt like a chore to get through which is odd for such an incredibly short book. part of its difficulty to read is as knowing that not much story was going to occur along the way, i tend to struggle with books that are more about the vibe than an eventful story. nevertheless i still enjoyed it and found it adorable yet profound.
The first “cozy” book I've genuinely enjoyed, and one of the few books to genuinely warm my heart.
Don't let my 2 week reading time fool you. This is a short read. Really charming.