The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet / Becky Chambers

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

by Becky Chambers

science fiction

copyright 2014

read in March 2017

rated 7/10: well worth reading

As I was reading this book there was one word that seemed appropriate. "Sweet." It's a nice book. Easy to read. Very enjoyable. Very sweet.

I like the science. There seems to be instant communication across space, and a postal drone for deliveries. Nobody really understands hyperspace travel, they just use it. The technology is whizz-bang and can be fixed with sweat and a screwdriver.

I like the characters. The good guys are not super, they are quite good -- and they try hard. And care. The ratbags have their reasons. And deep down they really care.

I like the plot -- but it is a very simple plot. Most of the action is side trips -- loosely tied into the main plot -- side trips where we meet more characters. Characters who are nice. And who give us another insight into different lifestyles which are really quite ... nice.

By the end, most of the apparently unrelated side trips have fitted in to the central plot. Though some were not essential to the plot. More, here's a loosely related lesson on the importance of being nice :-)

It's all very sweet, But not overly, saccharine, sweet. Pleasant, good humoured, enjoyable.

All so pleasant that I was expecting that the angry aliens fighting over the small angry planet would be sorted out with a group hug... Not to worry ! The ending made a lot more sense than that.

It's an enjoyable book which will make you think. You won't think, Yuk, that was nasty, how can we prevent such things. You will think, Aaahh, how sweet, I hope that I can be as nice as that...

It's enjoyable science fiction. With a bonus, a strong dose of feel-good.

Read it and smile :-)

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Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
Agamedes Consulting / Problems ? Solved
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