The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
up:: Books
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About
- Type:fiction
- [Author:: Becky Chambers]
- [pages:: 608]
- [ddc:: 813.6]
- [Year published:: 2015]
Reading
- [status:: read]
- [rating:: 4.5]
- [added:: 2022-11-16]
- [started:: 2022-11-17]
- [read:: 2022-11-24]
Links
🛒 [kindle:: https://www.amazon.com/Long-Small-Angry-Planet-Wayfarers-ebook/dp/B00ZP64F28/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Long+Way+to+a+Small%2C+Angry+Planet&qid=1668580949&sr=8-1] 🏫 [library:: https://sunshinecoast.spydus.com/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/FULL/WPAC/BIBENQ/80365003/505943,1] [thumbnail:: “https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HoUcxVnFL.AC_SY780.jpg”] [id:: Jm6yBgAAQBAJ]
Summary/Reflection
Spoilers
Some thoughts:
- The characters were fantastic. Each on of them so diverse and intriguing with their own small story arc and character progression. While the book tackled some societal issues, it managed to not be simplistic about it.
- The interactions between the species were really interesting. The book itself did a good job of not being “species-centric” and showing the unique challenges. There was one moment where Rosemary handed Sissix a bottle she could’t drink from because she didn’t have lips. I think the attention to detail was really well done.
- At times, the big story of the book felt a bit slow. Compared to The Expanse, this story is a lot smaller in scope. It is about the individual characters and their challenges, not about the fate of the galaxy. Which is probably a good thing. But the Toremi conflict in the end felt a bit added on.
- I think the way AI was handled was fascinating. ‘AI rights’ and a two-class model of restricted and sapient AI are really interesting concepts to ponder.
- Initially, I needed to get used to the style of the book a bit. Especially the use of parentheses felt out of place. But after a couple of chapters, I got into it and the conversational tone actually fit the book quite well.
- Chatting to some friends about the books, some flaws were pointed out that I missed: The resolution of Rosemary’s subplot just fell flat in the end. It was set up as a big problem but didn’t turn out to be one at all. Hearing her conversation with Ashby would have been interesting but it was only mentioned in passing. Also having Corbin forcefully have Ohan take the serum to achieve a happy ending didn’t fit with the ‘live and let live’ worldview of the characters. It would have been more in line to let Ohan die, respecting his choice.