The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is the first book in the Wayfarers series written by Becky Chambers. Published in 2014, it is a science fiction novel that explores themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of interstellar travel.
The story is set in a future where humanity has expanded its reach into space and established connections with various alien species. The protagonist, Rosemary Harper, joins the crew of the Wayfarer, a tunnelling ship responsible for creating stable wormholes between different parts of the galaxy. As a new member of the crew, Rosemary is eager to leave her past behind and start afresh.
The crew of the Wayfarer is a diverse group of individuals from different species and backgrounds. Led by Captain Ashby Santoso, they embark on a mission to create a new wormhole that will connect the Galactic Commons with a distant planet called Hedra Ka. The journey to Hedra Ka is long and dangerous, but it offers the crew members an opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures and form deep bonds.
Throughout the book, Chambers delves into the personal stories and struggles of each character on board the Wayfarer. From Sissix, a reptilian pilot who longs for her family’s acceptance, to Kizzy and Jenks, the ship’s engineers who have a close sibling-like relationship, each character brings their own unique perspective to the narrative.
As the crew faces various challenges during their journey, including encounters with hostile alien species and navigating treacherous space routes, they also confront their own fears and insecurities. The book explores themes of acceptance and understanding as the characters learn to appreciate each other’s differences and work together as a team.
One of the central relationships in the story is between Rosemary and Sissix. As they spend more time together on the ship, they develop a deep friendship that transcends their differences. Their bond serves as a reminder of the power of connection and empathy in a vast and diverse universe.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is a character-driven novel that focuses on the relationships and interactions between its diverse cast of characters. It explores themes of love, friendship, and the importance of finding one’s place in the universe. With its richly imagined world-building and thought-provoking exploration of social issues, the book has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.
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The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
- Wayfarers, Book 1
- Narrated by: Rachel Dulude
Popular modern sci-fi masterpiece, included in Library Magazine’s 2016 Best SFF, Barnes & Nobles Science Fiction Blog 2015 Best Books of 2015, Tor.com’s Best Books of 2015, Selection Readers’ Choice Award, as well as being nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Kitschie Award, and the Women’s Bailey Award.
Follow a nimble crew on an exciting journey through space – and an adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe – in this space opera This exciting debut of a rising sci-fi star.
Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. Although the patched ship has had better days, it does give her a bed, a chance to explore distant corners of the galaxy, and most importantly, some distance from the past. hers. An introverted young woman who soon learned to keep to herself, she’s never met anyone from as far away as the ship’s diverse crew, including Sissix, the exotic reptile pilot, technicians chat master Kizzy and Jenks, the ship’s maintainers, and Ashby, their noble captain.
Life on Wayfarer is chaotic and crazy – just what Rosemary wanted. It is also about to get extremely dangerous when the crew is given the job of a lifetime. Digging wormholes through space to a distant planet is certainly lucrative and will keep them comfortable for many years. But risking her life was not part of the plan. In the far reaches of deep space, the tiny Wayfarer crew will face a series of unexpected mishaps and thrilling adventures that force them to depend on each other. To survive, Rosemary must learn to rely on these quirks – an experience that teaches her about love and trust and that having a family isn’t necessarily the worst thing in the universe.
This great fun, character-based story is reminiscent of Firefly with a bit of Babylon 5 thrown in but it’s still fresh and new. I love the crew and this book.
Loved this book more than I expected. right from the title, I was expecting it to be light and fun, but instead it feels like a serious but kind examination of human nature and family. in space! one of my new favorite books! Love the narration!
