A Psalm for the Wild-Built Review

Dedication: “For anyone who could use a break”

While I truly understand the appeal of world-saving fantasy, super hero, and sci-fi stories, it sure is nice to have something a little lower-stakes once in a while. And Becky Chambers is VERY good at that. My first exposure to her work was probably four years ago when I read A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, which is a bit like Firefly if instead of doing crime the crew worked in infrastructure and really like hugs.

Psalm is a different beast altogether. Sibling Dex is a monk on Panga, which is a planet that’s a pretty swell place to live. People’s needs are met. There’s a great respect for art and culture. And Dex is a devotee to a goddess of comfort. But something’s missing. So, Dex decides to become the best tea monk (a barista/therapist on wheels) in all the land. But that missing something isn’t quite so easy to find. And when Dex meets a new friend, Splendid Speckled Mosscap, on a philosophical journey to discover what people need, they travel pretty far afield to find the answer. And they like hugs. And tea.

This book is so refreshing, from its dedication to its invention of a sci-fi world where you could happily live as a background character, as opposed to all the protagonist-and-laser-centric stories we’re used to. It’s the fictional equivalent of a warm blanket. The only problem is that you can read it in an afternoon, and it will leave you wanting more… but that’s where the sequel comes in.

4.5 cricket songs out of 5. Read it. You could use a break.