Title: A Psalm for the Wild-Built
Author: Becky Chambers 
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Tor Publishing
Publication Date: July 2021
Format: Hardcover
Length:  151 pages

Read if you like: optimistic life outlooks, futuristic societies, search for purpose, the relationship between nature and technology, surprising friendships, the nature of personhood

Rating: 

I’d seen exclusively good things about A Psalm for the Wild Built so when I saw it at my library, I grabbed it without knowing much about it and wow, this book was like a warm hug in literary form. I loved how optimistic it was, how introspective, and ultimately, how heart-warming it felt. It was a short novella, but packed an outsized punch for its size.

I’m writing this review months after I finished the book and even now, I still feel like smiling when I think back about this one. I really, thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely pick up the next book in the series.

The Book Synopsis: A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

Centuries before, robots of Panga gained self-awareness, laid down their tools, wandered, en masse into the wilderness, never to be seen again. They faded into myth and urban legend.

Now the life of the tea monk who tells this story is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of “what do people need?” is answered. But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how. They will need to ask it a lot. Chambers’ series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?

The Review 

What an absolute joy of a book.

I loved this brief but touching foray into a world where humans and robots coexist in a peaceful way. The premise is exceedingly positive, based on the notion that humans would accept that sentient robots had organized and decided to opt out of society altogether, but that is the loveliest part of the story— the unrelenting optimism. It was so refreshing to read a story that centred on the capacity for humans to change, to acknowledge the danger or threat their behaviour and the actions they held, and their willingness to choose to shift gears for the better. 

I loved the relationship between Dec and Mosscap. Mosscap was this wonderfully buoyant, endearing character with exceptional introspection and insight, which played beautifully off of lost Dex, who had no idea what they wanted or who they should be or what they should be doing. Their banter was delightful and I loved their ability to bring out the best in each other. 

The dialogue towards the end about purpose and whether it’s necessary or not had me reflecting on meaning myself. I loved the simplicity of Mosscap’s perspective and the power it held in terms of discerning meaning in life. It made the trivial and mundane feel a little more brilliant and it left me feeling all warm and fuzzy. 

This was such a wonderful little novel. My heart feels full and I know I’ll be recommending this one for a long time. I can’t wait to read the next one in this series, I sincerely hope it brings some of what I loved about this one forward.