whilereadingandwalking:A Prayer for the Crown-Shy continues the work that Becky Chambers began with
whilereadingandwalking:A Prayer for the Crown-Shy continues the work that Becky Chambers began with A Psalm for the Wild-Built: crafting a wholesome, hopeful picture of a post-apocalypse world rooted in fiercely anticapitalist, communal sentiment. The first novella brought together Dex, a nonbinary tea monk, and Mosscap, the first robot to venture into human territory since the robots first rose up and left society forever. Now, they are going on a tour of Panga, so that Mosscap can ask as many humans as possible, “What do you need?” in a sort of ambassador/philosopher role.This book builds so magnificently on the world Chambers has created. How does a system rooted in community wellbeing operate? How does it support its people while making sure no one is taken advantage of? What does it look like, and what moral conflicts remain within it? How can robots and humans benefit from renewed contact? What does self-compassion look like in a society that values community over individuality?It is a joyful and thoughtful story that gives the reader a message of nuanced hope without avoiding the tough questions. The Monk & Robot novellas are quick reads but ones that stick with you. They present an idea of what we could be, a realistic utopia of sorts. Maybe the end of the world won’t be the end. It’s a message that we need now, and it’s twisted into a story of connectivity and friendship, companionship and discovery, that’s a joy to read.I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The newest Monk & Robot novella is out July 12. -- source link
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