Questions About A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)

by Becky Chambers (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about A Psalm for the Wild-Built, please sign up.

Answered Questions (7)

OK I have a bad feeling about this .....is the publisher going to repeat the rip off ...of the Murderbot Series with 4 Novellas of about 150 pages each costing upwards of $9.00 each? I hope not......

Celia It's not like Murderbot, and I don't care how much it costs. If I want to read a book, I will gladly support the author.…moreIt's not like Murderbot, and I don't care how much it costs. If I want to read a book, I will gladly support the author.(less)

flag

I've started listening to this book on audio. I'm a voracious reader but have never gotten into Sci-Fi and this was suggested as a good jumping off book. I'm really getting confused by the trans/non-binary pronouns, "they," "them," etc. Does this throw anyone else off? Do we need new pronouns added to the English language to apply to these characters in our novels, and people in real life?

Ksenia The pronouns they/them refer to a non-binary person (not necessarily a trans person). It takes only a little bit to get used to it. In fact, I imagine…moreThe pronouns they/them refer to a non-binary person (not necessarily a trans person). It takes only a little bit to get used to it. In fact, I imagine most people already have experience with this. For example, sometimes when discussing a person, sex of whom you do not know, you use pronouns they/them, since he/she are not an option.

Making up new pronouns in the English language is advocated against by most non-binary people. The reason is that we already have words for human pronouns that are wired into our brains. New words would feel extremely dehumanizing, unless they are chosen by the bon-binary community or individual for themselves. It is not that difficult to get used to the use of the they/them pronouns, especially in comparison to the very real difficulties non-binary people experience throughout their lives. The word "you" used to mean plural only (just like they), but is now used for both singular and plural forms. So... language evolves, we get used to the changes and move on. (less)

flag

The protagonist travels on an oxbike, but what exactly is that? Is it a neologism or something someone who did not grow up speaking Englisch wouldn't know? Is it a brand name? Googling it didn't really help but I had the same problem with terms like bogof (buy one get one free) years ago.

Trey Native English speaker here. I've never heard the term in my life and believe that Chambers invented the term for her world. Using context clues, it s…moreNative English speaker here. I've never heard the term in my life and believe that Chambers invented the term for her world. Using context clues, it seems like a powered bicycle capable of pulling a heavy load while being pedaled normally by a human. (less)

flag

Does anyone know if the Google Play version is messed up? It has the book only being 102 pages, ending at chapter 8.

Rach (pagesofpiper) There are only 8 chapters in the hardback book

flag

Does anyone know if this series will be like the Wayfarers -- loosely connected stories, not linear -- or if the series installments will be a consecutive narrative?

willaful Since it's called "Monk and Robot" I suspect it will keep following the same characters. But that's just a guess. …moreSince it's called "Monk and Robot" I suspect it will keep following the same characters. But that's just a guess. (less)

flag

Load 2 more questions

Unanswered Questions (1)

This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more