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A Psalm for the Wild-Built

Book 1 in the series:Monk & Robot

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In a future where robots have gained sentience and separated from humans to live in the wilderness, a monk named Dex sets out on a journey to find meaning in their life. Along the way, Dex encounters a robot named Mosscap, and the two embark on an adventure to explore the essence of life and humanity. The novella delves into themes of purpose, consciousness, and the interconnections of nature, offering a gentle and hopeful narrative that captivates readers with its insightful examination of finding meaning in life.

The book presents a post-apocalyptic world where humans have achieved a sustainable and ecological society, free from societal issues like racism and classism. Through the friendship that develops between Dex and Mosscap, the story explores the balance between technology and nature, while touching on philosophical questions about purpose and self-discovery. The writing style is described as kind, warm, and charming, offering a soothing and introspective reading experience that leaves readers feeling hopeful about the future.

Characters:

The characters are nuanced and relatable; Sibling Dex grapples with existential questions while Mosscap offers a fresh perspective, creating poignant dialogues about life.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is calming and introspective, with gentle prose that engages the reader thoughtfully, creating an intimate atmosphere.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a tea monk's search for purpose, leading to a meaningful encounter with a sentient robot in a lush, post-industrial world, sparking reflections on life.

Setting:

The setting is a serene, post-apocalyptic world where nature thrives, and humanity lives harmoniously, enhancing the themes of tranquility and reflection.

Pacing:

The pacing is leisurely and reflective, allowing readers to soak in the conversations and themes rather than driving a fast-paced plot.
Sometimes, a person reaches a point in their life when it becomes absolutely essential to get the fuck out of the city. It doesn’t matter if you’ve spent your entire adult life in a city, as was the c...

Notes:

The book features a nonbinary main character named Sibling Dex who becomes a tea monk.
It takes place in a world where robots gained sentience and chose to live in the wilderness, away from humans.
The story explores themes of purpose and fulfillment in a tranquil, introspective manner.
Dex travels with a robot named Mosscap, who seeks to understand what humans need after centuries of separation from humanity.
The novella format allows for a concise yet meaningful exploration of complex philosophical questions.
The writing style is described as calming and soothing, encouraging introspection from the reader.
The world-building is notable for its positive vision of a future that embraces nature and sustainability, often categorized as solarpunk.
A central question posed in the story is whether humans need a purpose to lead fulfilling lives, inviting readers to ponder their own experiences.
The book is praised for its gentle humor and warmth, making it a comforting read during stressful times.
Chambers dedicated the book 'For anyone who needs a break,' emphasizing its intention to provide solace.

From The Publisher:

In A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Hugo Award-winner Becky Chambers's delightful new Monk and Robot series gives us hope for the future.

It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend.

One day, the life of a tea monk 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're going to need to ask it a lot.

Becky Chambers's new series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?

Ratings (176)

Incredible (57)
Loved It (60)
Liked It (36)
It Was OK (16)
Did Not Like (7)

Reader Stats (407):

Read It (177)
Currently Reading (2)
Want To Read (171)
Did Not Finish (5)
Not Interested (52)

7 comment(s)

Loved It
1 week

“Repeating history that had left living memory was an all-too-human tendency”

Fun quick read with an intriguing world built up

 
Incredible
2 weeks

A classic work of hope-punk. Must be read with the second volume, "A Prayer for the Crown Shy".

 
Incredible
3 months

****5****

Once upon a time in Panga there lived people who were advanced in Robotics and created Robots extensively in the factories. But one day, Robots woke up ,left the mankind and moved to the forest. People rebuilt their surrounding and never built a Robot again.

“So, the paradox is that the ecosystem as a whole needs its participants to act with restraint in order to avoid collapse, but the participants themselves have no inbuilt mechanism to encourage such behavior.”

After decades, we meet Sibling Dex, a garden monk. Sibling Dex is troubled. He is missing something in life . So he decides to become a tea monk, who travels between places and brings comfort to people by brewing teas. Dex is successful and liked by all. And yet he is not happy. He goes through the things that feels satisfying and at last decides that there are no sound of Crickets in the city , which is making him achingly sad. So he sets out on a mission to hear them again in a secluded, abandoned Hermitage, where it is rumored of having Crickets.

During his quest for the Hermitage, Dex happens to meet Mosscap, a Robot. This is the first meeting between a Human and a Robot after they parted their ways amicably. And Mosscap helps Dex on his journey.

“You’re an animal, Sibling Dex. You are not separate or other. You’re an animal. And animals have no purpose. Nothing has a purpose. The world simply is.”

A heartwarming story, picturesque narration almost calming the reader immediately. I would very much like to see a Studio Ghibli adaptation of this book. Wonderful world building and concept. Utterly beautiful writing, plot in a much needed times like this.

Happy Reading!!

 
Did Not Like
3 months

Boring

 
Did Not Like
3 months

Me gustaría que me hubiera gustado mas. No se si esta frase tiene mucho sentido.

La autora ha creado un mundo intrigante y detallado.

En un futuro (quiza), la época hipar-industrial ha acabado, los robots viven por su cuenta, los humanos viven en ciudades muy verdes, los monjes escuchan los problemas de la gente y les preparan te. "Existen" dioses que personifican cosas como cambio, etc. Un mundo muy interesante.

Pero creo que desperdicia este mundo contando una historia que no engancha.

Algunas descripciones son muy superfluas y me da la sensación de que estan solo para rellenar.

Creo que podia haber ocurrido mas en menos paginas y hubiera sido un gran libro, pero tal y como es parece una precuela de algún gran libro.

 
Incredible
6 months

plotless examination of humanity, life, self, and several other topics woven into a cozy sci-fi story about an almost idyllic society on a moon after its own near destruction. i loved it so much as it felt like a hug while also making you think a bit

 
Incredible
7 months

A lovely, sweet, easy read.

 
 
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