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tshepiso 's review for:
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within
by Becky Chambers
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I barely have the words to describe the magic within the pages of a Becky Chambers novel. This final Wayfarer novel, like the ones preceding it, had a heart and emotional depth that made these stories so stand out. I adored every page of The Galaxy, and the Ground Within and cannot wait to see what Becky Chambers writes next.
As always Becky Chambers' worldbuilding was immaculate. She establishes an expansive world with centuries of history and rich culture. But, despite this novel’s sharp focus on all things alien, the story never feels dense or navel-gazing in its exploration of alien cultures. Chambers uses aliens as a springboard to delve into the ways physiology and history impact cultural norms. She uses the vast differences of her alien species to model the ways differences can be accommodated and celebrated. Chambers’ approach to worldbuilding is grounded in interpersonal relationships which makes her galaxy feel all the more inviting.
Another gem of Chambers' writing is her stunning character work. We follow four wildly different points of view in this novel and each perspective is fully realized and fleshed out. We only get a snapshot of the lives of our protagonists over the course of five days, but in that sliver of time Chambers builds a compelling conflict for each character. Seeing the ways this minor moment in each of their lives impacts them and the ways they support each other on their journeys was moving.
What I love about The Galaxy, and the Ground Within and the Wayfarers series as a whole is its slice-of-life focus. The stakes of this story are infinitesimally small, but the compelling character work done throughout makes even minor moments of potential loss feel world ending. The book shines in its simplicity because Becky Chambers executes the seemingly basic story of four people coming together with such craft and care that it feels as exhilarating and meaningful as a story with world-ending stakes.
Becky Chambers’ books always feel like a warm hug to read. Her stories are about how everybody has a place in the galaxy. They preach kindness as a virtue worth holding on to and that hope is worth the trouble of cultivating. All that makes the time spent reading these books soul-enriching. I adore the Wayfarers series with every fibre of my being. I’m sad to see it go. It was a beautiful time while it lasted.
As always Becky Chambers' worldbuilding was immaculate. She establishes an expansive world with centuries of history and rich culture. But, despite this novel’s sharp focus on all things alien, the story never feels dense or navel-gazing in its exploration of alien cultures. Chambers uses aliens as a springboard to delve into the ways physiology and history impact cultural norms. She uses the vast differences of her alien species to model the ways differences can be accommodated and celebrated. Chambers’ approach to worldbuilding is grounded in interpersonal relationships which makes her galaxy feel all the more inviting.
Another gem of Chambers' writing is her stunning character work. We follow four wildly different points of view in this novel and each perspective is fully realized and fleshed out. We only get a snapshot of the lives of our protagonists over the course of five days, but in that sliver of time Chambers builds a compelling conflict for each character. Seeing the ways this minor moment in each of their lives impacts them and the ways they support each other on their journeys was moving.
What I love about The Galaxy, and the Ground Within and the Wayfarers series as a whole is its slice-of-life focus. The stakes of this story are infinitesimally small, but the compelling character work done throughout makes even minor moments of potential loss feel world ending. The book shines in its simplicity because Becky Chambers executes the seemingly basic story of four people coming together with such craft and care that it feels as exhilarating and meaningful as a story with world-ending stakes.
Becky Chambers’ books always feel like a warm hug to read. Her stories are about how everybody has a place in the galaxy. They preach kindness as a virtue worth holding on to and that hope is worth the trouble of cultivating. All that makes the time spent reading these books soul-enriching. I adore the Wayfarers series with every fibre of my being. I’m sad to see it go. It was a beautiful time while it lasted.