A review by gengelcox
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

emotional relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Multiple people suggested Becky Chambers to me as someone writing the same space I’m trying to inhabit: positive futures. And, sure enough, this novel hit all the correct spots for me. It has an ensemble cast of characters who are all interesting and well-drawn, a complex but not utopian universe where troubles still exist but the general feeling remains hopeful, and a plot that manages to use both of these elements to her advantage.

 

The basic situation here is that it is possible to move between galaxies but it requires “anchor” points to be established except for very small ships. A planet in the core has finally agreed to become part of the bigger commonwealth, thus needing a new anchor in order to initiate trade. Because there is no close anchor, it requires a crew to establish one, and getting there takes a lot of time and effort.

But the real story is what occurs between the characters. The first one we are introduced to is running away from the human solar system and has paid a lot of money for a new ID and uses that to land her a job on this vessel, the Wayfarer. The captain is having an affair with a member of another species, one where that species wouldn’t look kindly on the goings on. The ship’s navigator is dying from the parasite that allows it to navigate portal space. And on and on. 

 

I greatly enjoyed the novel and Chambers’ style and expect to find myself reading many more books by her.