Unusually I will start my review with a slightly edited quote from the book.
“My name is Eyas, I’m a caretaker for the dead. Hi I’m Ayodeji, I’m a doctor from the neighbourhood clinic. Hi, I’m Tohu, I’m a ferry pilot, I’m gonna explain how to get around both inside a homesteader and in between. I’m Jacira. I’m a bug farmer and then finally we get to Hey there, I’m Sunny, I’m a sex worker and I’ll be explaining where to go if you want to get laid”.
Record of a Spaceborn Few
This one slightly edited paragraph sums up the entire book, it’s a Science fiction novel but written in a way of a group of individuals diaries, if you are looking for Star Trek and intergalactic warfare then this book is not for you, if you are looking for an alternative vision of where the human race potentially may go in the next millennia then it’s essential Christmas reading, easy to read and thoroughly enjoyable.
I do not normally read Science Fiction, don’t get me wrong, I love a great science fiction movie but I have never stopped to pick one off the bookshelf, yes, I still love the smell and feel of a real book. My wife got me this book for my birthday and immediately the cover and the synopsis grabbed me, rather than that gracious thanks we have all given someone this was a book I really did want to get on and read and I’m glad I did.
This is a story where the last humans have long since left our planet, we have totally obliterated the earth resources and she can no longer sustain mankind. The Exodus fleet is the last living relic of mankind, the people who now survive and the new born have no ancestral knowledge of the planet we used to call home. We have met new alien lifeforms (I particularly liked Ghuh’loloan) and we, the human race, are no longer the dominant force we once were.
We follow the lives and stories of our main characters, Tessa, Kip, Sawer, Eyas, Isabel, and with them we all discover who we are, what are we doing here, what have we become and more importantly where are we going. Although this is a Science Fiction book it does make you think about where we as a race are indeed heading.
Becky Chambers
Becky is an American born author and this is her third book in the series. Initially I was concerned that reading this, the third book, and not having read the other three I would somehow miss out on the story to date, I can assure you this book works well as a standalone read, and one I would certainly recommend you add to your Christmas book list.
Becky Chambers
Published in the UK by Hodder & Stoughton 2018
Hardback 358 pages both in print and e-book formats
Reviewer: Brian Case @thebriancase