Book Review: A Psalm for The Wild-Built

Take a moment to indulge me, dear reader, and consider your favorite hobby. Something you really invest in. Perhaps you consider yourself good, or even great at it. Now, think about the feeling when you watch a real professional do The Hobby. How do you feel? Probably some combination of awe, joy, and jealousy. Do you study them to perfect your craft, or do you sit back and just enjoy the spectacle?

As a writer, this is how I felt reading A Psalm for the Wild-Built. In addition to the feelings the author intended (we’ll get into that), these pages left me with that tingly mix of inspiration and envy in the best way possible.

The Basics:

Title: A Psalm for the Wild-Built
Author: Becky Chambers
Genre: cozy science fiction, slice-of-life, literary fiction
Published: Tor.Com, 2021

Spoiler-Free Summary:

Dex has it made. They grew up in a loving family, which supported their dreams, ultimately leading them to become a tea-monk, which is a sort of traveling counselor/barista. A Barounselor. A Counselista? Anyway, they live an engaging, fulfilling life of travel and freedom. They feel good about their work. They have good friends, a loving family, and the leisure time to enjoy themselves.

Why isn’t it enough?

Despite this good life, Dex feels an inexplicable call to leave the civilized half of their planet (technically, moon) and seek an abandoned retreat in the untouched wilderness. Uncharted land, the lack of all services, and dangerous wildlife would be challenge enough… but what about the robots?

It has been centuries since humans and robots divided the planet and parted ways. What will the first interaction between man and machine since the Parting Promise entail? When Dex meets the robot Mosscap, their unlikely friendship leads to a deep and moving exploration of the human condition.

Why This Book Is For You:

This is not a book of action and conflict. There is tension, to be sure, but it’s subtle. Wild Built is more of a beautiful, relaxing frame for a conversation. Chambers’ words are a concentrated shot of wilderness; the essence of hiking distilled. Moving. Gorgeous. Inspiring. Challenging.

You would be excused if you worried that this all-vibes book might not be enough to hold the reader’s interest. It is, after all, essentially a series of philogophical dialogues while two characters walk throught the woods. However, I found that at 160 pages, this novella sticks the landing. The brevity leaves us wanting more.

Much like Time War or Addie Larue, the sheer skill of the prose carries this novel. If you want a delightful, quiet, lyrical escape that challenges you intellectually and spiritually, please read this gem of a book.

Where Can You Find More?

Did you know this blog is 3 years old? I know you know where to buy books, but, do consider checking out the author’s website.

Happy reading, folks.