I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers Series: Monk & Robot #1
Published by Tor.com on July 13 2021
Genres: Adult, Science fiction
Pages: 160
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A gentle, contemplative tale involving a journey, a robot and tea.
This was my first Becky Chambers book, and of course now I want to go back and read her Wayfarers series. What a delightful, feel good story this was! Chambers packs a lot of heart, humor and wisdom into less than 150 pages, and I’m so glad this is the start to a series, because I’m eager to spend more time with Dex and Mosscap!
The story takes place in a future world on a moon called Panga. Many years ago, all the robots that had been created to work in factories suddenly “awoke” and decided that they didn’t want to work for humans anymore, and so something called the Parting Promise was created. This pact stated that the robots would never harm humans, and that humans would agree to stay away from the wilds, the vast wilderness where the robots decided to live. No one has seen a robot in years since the Awakening, and humans have kept their side of the bargain and stayed in the cities where they belong.
Sibling Dex is a young monk who longs for a different life, outside of the hustle and bustle of the city. One day, they decide to venture into the outer villages as a tea monk. Dex longs for a simpler life in nature, and most of all, they want to hear crickets sing, since crickets don’t live in the city. Dex is given an ox-bike wagon in order to travel from village to village, and they begin to learn the craft of tea making. But one day, Dex sees something they never expected to see—a robot named Splendid Speckled Mosscap steps out of the wilderness and tells Dex that they have been sent on a mission, to find out what humans need. Dex isn’t at all certain what the answer to that question is, but they agree to help the robot figure it out. In exchange, Mosscap will accompany Dex into the wilderness, where crickets are rumored to live.
This story was as relaxing as sipping a fragrant cup of hot tea! I’ve been reading so many dark, stressful stories lately, and I loved the change of pace. What makes Chamber’s tale so different is that these are all good characters. You won’t find a villain or bad guy or even any conflict in A Psalm for the Wild-Built (only Dex’s inner conflict), and although that sounds like it would make for a slow, tedious story, I can honestly say this was anything but. Chambers’ story has an almost zen-like quality to it, which makes sense because the main character is a monk. Dex is on a personal quest of sorts, trying to make sense of what they really want in life. At first, learning to be a tea monk is satisfying and makes them happy, but after they master their new vocation, dissatisfaction sets in again, and it’s at this point that Mosscap enters the picture and throws their entire worldview out of whack. Much of the story is a long philosophical conversation between Dex and Mosscap, as they gradually learn about each other’s beliefs and world views.
And their relationship isn’t a smooth one. At first, Dex is annoyed at having their peace and quiet interrupted by a chatty robot. But little by little, they warm up to each other and realize they both have something they can teach the other. Dex is a pretty funny character and swears a lot, which I wasn’t expecting from a monk, and Mosscap is determined to fulfill their mission, even if Dex doesn’t think they can help much. I also loved that Chambers made them both non-binary, in a world where gender isn’t a big deal: “Do you have a gender?” “No.” “Me neither.”
The worldbuilding was simple yet detailed, if that makes sense. It’s clearly a science fiction story, as it takes place on a moon and is set in the future. But the simple lives of the characters also made it feel a little like a fantasy at times, as well as Dex’s religion, which is full of different gods and interesting places of worship. I loved the backstory about how robots came to be free, especially the civilized way they declared their independence and how humans readily agreed to let them go into the wilderness. No battles or wars were waged—this isn’t that story. Instead, two different “species” listened to each other and respected each other’s choices, which was a nice example of “live and let live.”
And let’s talk about the tea monk element, which I thought was a delightful idea! Dex is basically a tea therapist, ready to listen to people when they’re sad or worried. And why not enjoy a soothing cup of tea at the same time? I think we need tea therapists in our world, don’t you?
Becky Chambers has a way of making the reader think of new things in completely different ways than you might expect. For example, I loved the idea of “wild-built,” which is the method that robots have survived all these years without breaking down and dying off. I won’t tell you what it is, in case you decide to read the book for yourself, but it’s pretty cool and mimics some familiar ideas about human procreation. There’s also a scene I loved that involves food, when Dex shows Mosscap how to cook a meal, but then realizes that the joy of sharing food with them is lost because robots can’t eat. Dex manages to solve that problem in a unique way, and once again, it was something I never would have thought of myself!
The author uses the idea of a road as a metaphor for a journey, and you can see on the book cover that the road dominates the artwork. I’m pretty sure that was a deliberate choice, and it works brilliantly. Dex’s journey is both winding and bumpy, and at one point the road disappears altogether and Dex must change their mindset once more.
The ending suggests that Dex and Mosscap are just getting started with their adventures, and I’m eager to see where the road takes them in the sequel. Does Dex ever discover the crickets they so desperately seek? You’ll just have to read this gentle and imaginative tale to find out for yourself.
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
First of all Splendid Speckled Mosscap is the best name ever. It just is. And I love that the author made both of them non-binary. And ugh a tea therapist. I need one for sure! This just sounds like a really great book.
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…ARC Review: Like a Love Song by Gabriela Martins
Right? I just love that name too.
This sounds genuinely so wonderful — and calming. I adore your description of it being like a cup of hot tea. Books like these are like a balm after a series of tense, darker fare — I totally know what you meant by that!
Yes, sometimes you need a break for all the doom and gloom:-)
I freaking LOVE everything I’ve ever read from Chambers. OMG. Wayfarers is my fav! Looking forward to this one now.
Can’t wait to start Wayfarers!
What interesting characters. Great review, Tammy!
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…One-Sentence Reviews: My 2nd Quarter 2021 Reads
Thanks Priscilla!
Great review! This sounds lovely. I was also thinking this might be a good introduction for me to Becky Chambers — sounds like it really worked for you.
It really did, and I loved her ideas and her outlook on life:-)
I’ve been wanting to try to his author, and this sounds like such a fun start to the series, Tammy! A tea therapist! So many fun elements. Terrific review!
It did have a lot of fun elements:-)
Excellent review! Robin likes this author and I like the sound of her books. This one looks like a short and possibly great way to try her works.
Anne – Books of My Heart recently posted… Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev
I thought it was, short and sweet and now I have a sense of her writing style, which I love.
I’m about a third of the way through A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet and I’m really enjoying it so far. It has Firefly vibes, which is nice. So I’m very pleased to see you enjoying this one. Can’t wait to read it myself.
I’m glad to hear that, Todd. I will pick up that series at some point for sure:-)
This book is on my watchlist and I am glad you loved it! I have yet to hear a negative review of this book, so I’m thinking I should buy a copy of this already and settle down for this read with my own cup of tea! 😉
Yes, read it with a cup of tea!
Literally started this one today so I’m trying to avoid seeing any details, but I’m very excited this got such a high rating from you!
I’m definitely curious to read her Wayfarer series now:-)
This sounds really good 🙂 I want to read the Wayfarers books too but am really tempted to give this a try first, especially as it’s quite short. I’ve read a few long books recently and fancy a change.
Pages and Tea recently posted…Book Review: Later by Stephen King
This is a perfect place to start, I think:-)
wait I want a tea monk in my life, that is such a grand idea. Also I somehow forgot that this was a novella but I’m glad it’s a series. Can’t wait to read this one and be introduced to Chambers’ work!
Kal @ Reader Voracious recently posted…Discover A Reader’s Book Buying Process
We all need a tea monk!
Sounds interesting! I’m kinda fascinated by how much novellas have blown up recently (over the past few years, at least). It’s kind of a nice trend to be honest. Having shorter reads like these inbetween the larger tomes.
Hannah recently posted…Weekend Wrap-Up: 17/07/2021
I’ve read some good ones lately:-)
Totally agree with you- especially about the break from the bleak books! I love them, don’t get me wrong, but this was JUST what I needed! I couldn’t do anything *too* fluffy, but I felt like this was the perfect blend of sci-fi and wholesomeness. I cannot wait for more adventures! Great review!
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Thanks Shannon:-)
Sounds like Chambers does it again – I love your description of this as a hot cup of tea – warming and refreshing, and of course, being British, we all know a good cup of tea makes everything better.
Lynn 😀
This sounds great! I think it would really fit what I need from books right now, especially with a nice cup of jasmine tea to go with it. (I could also use a tea therapist.) Thanks for the review!
Nicole @ BookWyrm Knits recently posted…Book Review: Questland (Carrie Vaughn)
This one is definitely going on my TBR. It just sounds so lovely and comforting. I also love how different it is from her Wayfarer series. Shows great range as a writer.
You managed to convince me to try this one! Robots, tea, and monks, what best combo could there be?
Years ago, I read several really good mysteries with a former Buddhist monk. My review of book 1 is here: https://wordsandpeace.com/2011/12/09/92-review-the-first-rule-of-ten/
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