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The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
(Wayfarers #1)
by
Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space-and one adventurous young explorer who discovers the meaning of family in the far reaches of the universe-in this light-hearted debut space opera from a rising sci-fi star.
Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. While the patched-up ship has seen better days, it offers her ...more
Rosemary Harper doesn’t expect much when she joins the crew of the aging Wayfarer. While the patched-up ship has seen better days, it offers her ...more
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Paperback, 518 pages
Published
July 29th 2014
by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
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Phillip Sawyer
frequent f words and others and some inter-species sex but not explicit.
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Start your review of The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers, #1)

10 reasons I love The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet:
1. Feel-good science fiction. Bad things happen. Injustice exists. And yet, the world is a mostly beautiful and good place. Bad people exist, but people in general are mostly nice and almost always interesting. It’s a truly heart-warming novel.
2. It’s a great big world. There are all these interesting alien species, with interesting cultures and history which affect their society. If you love well-written settings where the lore isn’t a bunc ...more
1. Feel-good science fiction. Bad things happen. Injustice exists. And yet, the world is a mostly beautiful and good place. Bad people exist, but people in general are mostly nice and almost always interesting. It’s a truly heart-warming novel.
2. It’s a great big world. There are all these interesting alien species, with interesting cultures and history which affect their society. If you love well-written settings where the lore isn’t a bunc ...more

I heard this book was about gays in space. I'm gay and I think space is cool. Seems like a no brainer.
...more

This was really, really not my cup of tea and I threw in the towel 2/3 of the way in. I was surprised at how disappointing it was given that I picked it up on the basis of the normally dependable Adam Roberts' recommendation in his end of year 2015 round-up in the Guardian.
I understand the desire to move SF from plot-driven narratives to character-driven narratives but you are throwing the baby out with the bathwater if your character-driven narrative doesn't actually contain any characters wort ...more
I understand the desire to move SF from plot-driven narratives to character-driven narratives but you are throwing the baby out with the bathwater if your character-driven narrative doesn't actually contain any characters wort ...more


“The truth is, Rosemary, that you are capable of anything. Good or bad. You always have been, and you always will be. Given the right push, you, too, could do horrible things. That darkness exists within all of us.”
This is the kind of book that makes you remember why you fell in love with reading. This is the kind of book that feels so powerful you can’t believe it exists. This is the kind of book that sets your very soul on fire and makes you want to do better. This is the kind of b ...more

May 13, 2018
Mario the lone bookwolf
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
science-fiction-new,
chambers-becky
The future of social Sci-Fi, the evolution of emotion in space, a completely different, fresh, and astonishing approach towards the common Sci-Fi tropes, an immediate, instant modern masterpiece, possibly even a kind of new subgenre changing the landscape of Sci-Fi like Octavia E Butler.
We simply don´t know what kind of new relationship models and general consensus about what is appropriate in mixed human, human hybrid, robot, alien, etc. relationships and what not may come. There lie as many p ...more
We simply don´t know what kind of new relationship models and general consensus about what is appropriate in mixed human, human hybrid, robot, alien, etc. relationships and what not may come. There lie as many p ...more

UPDATE: $1.99 Kindle US 5/19/19
I freaking loved this book! And yes, I cried! It was good crying though!

I always get nervous reading a sci-fi book because I'm afraid I won't know what's going on - and yes I say that every time. BUT <--- this book is so awesome. A couple of things went over my head but who cares!
I had no clue what a sci-fi soap opera was but if they are all like this book then I want to read more. I'm going to be buying this one and I did pre-order the next book!
This isn't just ...more
I freaking loved this book! And yes, I cried! It was good crying though!

I always get nervous reading a sci-fi book because I'm afraid I won't know what's going on - and yes I say that every time. BUT <--- this book is so awesome. A couple of things went over my head but who cares!
I had no clue what a sci-fi soap opera was but if they are all like this book then I want to read more. I'm going to be buying this one and I did pre-order the next book!
This isn't just ...more

Sep 22, 2016
carol.
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to carol. by:
Paul Sparks
Niceness is undervalued. In an age of cynicism, we believe very little is done altruistically: this politician is facilitating an international adoption for campaign-fodder; that site is offering $1.99 books to boost web traffic; that church is holding a Sunday neighborhood BBQ to evangelize. Our stories show similar cynicism. We've embraced tortured dark heroes, we give five stars to stories sympathizing with killers and rapists, and although we believe a good guy can still win, the only way he
...more

Recommended to me as a cure for the heavy, blood and guts diet that's so prevalent in today's SF/F, I was more than just a little bit interested in an antidote.
What I found, instead, was a heartily tasty meal of perfectly prepared insects aboard the Wayfarer, enjoying wonderful conversations and a surprisingly diverse collection of humans, aliens, and a truly beautiful soul within an AI.
I mean, this is space-opera. Don't get the wrong idea. There's a couple of tight spots, thievery and tragic de ...more
What I found, instead, was a heartily tasty meal of perfectly prepared insects aboard the Wayfarer, enjoying wonderful conversations and a surprisingly diverse collection of humans, aliens, and a truly beautiful soul within an AI.
I mean, this is space-opera. Don't get the wrong idea. There's a couple of tight spots, thievery and tragic de ...more

Re-read 8/9/18: I’m crying in a puddle of my feels. I love this book so damn much. JENKS ❤️😭
Original review 11/23/16: I have just completed reading my favorite book of all time. There has never been a book to touch me as much as this one did. I just. I can't. I'm like. Spent. I cannot even comprehend or articulate how much I loved this fucking book. Oh my god ...more
Original review 11/23/16: I have just completed reading my favorite book of all time. There has never been a book to touch me as much as this one did. I just. I can't. I'm like. Spent. I cannot even comprehend or articulate how much I loved this fucking book. Oh my god ...more

3.5 stars
If you're looking for an action-packed, page-turning adventure story, this book is not for you. However, if you want a sci-fi novel that delivers wonderful characters and thoughtful commentary on existence, you've found the right book.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is something unique. It blends literary and science fictions into a story that looks at what it means to be human--or alien--amidst a world of chaos.
And while I really enjoyed reading about these characters and their q ...more
If you're looking for an action-packed, page-turning adventure story, this book is not for you. However, if you want a sci-fi novel that delivers wonderful characters and thoughtful commentary on existence, you've found the right book.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is something unique. It blends literary and science fictions into a story that looks at what it means to be human--or alien--amidst a world of chaos.
And while I really enjoyed reading about these characters and their q ...more

Welcome to the Starship Ned Flanders.
Seriously though, while the central ship in The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is actually named The Wayfarer almost everyone in the book is so cloyingly sweet that the name of the Simpsons' archetypal nice guy seems like a better fit. There's friendly Captain Flanders, chirpy lady engineer Flanders, friendly dwarf Flanders... you get the idea. Even the ship AI is a little Flandersesque.
Everybody seems to want to be everyone else's bestie (with the excepti ...more
Seriously though, while the central ship in The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is actually named The Wayfarer almost everyone in the book is so cloyingly sweet that the name of the Simpsons' archetypal nice guy seems like a better fit. There's friendly Captain Flanders, chirpy lady engineer Flanders, friendly dwarf Flanders... you get the idea. Even the ship AI is a little Flandersesque.
Everybody seems to want to be everyone else's bestie (with the excepti ...more

DNF@ 60%
I went with huge expectations. In blurbs comparisons where made to Ursula Le Guin and Firefly mention those two is sure ways to get my undivided attention. Sadly this book is nothing like my favorite tv show and it's nowhere near of depth of Le Guin's books.
If I had to describe this book to anyone I would call it cross between Farscape and Disney fairytale.
I did have some fun with it but around 60% of this book amount of sweetness and cheeseness become overwhelming. Character driven sci ...more
I went with huge expectations. In blurbs comparisons where made to Ursula Le Guin and Firefly mention those two is sure ways to get my undivided attention. Sadly this book is nothing like my favorite tv show and it's nowhere near of depth of Le Guin's books.
If I had to describe this book to anyone I would call it cross between Farscape and Disney fairytale.
I did have some fun with it but around 60% of this book amount of sweetness and cheeseness become overwhelming. Character driven sci ...more

Mar 25, 2017
Emily (Books with Emily Fox)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites
4.5 A great feel-good sci-fi and character-driven story that explores gender, race, politics, and sexuality.
There were some great friendships, I giggled a few times and it was an oddly relaxing read!
I need to pick up the next one!
There were some great friendships, I giggled a few times and it was an oddly relaxing read!
I need to pick up the next one!

There's so, so much I want to say right now, and I want you all to know: this review can't do this book justice. There's no way to perfectly review one of the most complex, meditative books I've ever read.
This is not a book for those who like action-packed scifi. Rather, it's for those who enjoy meditative stories. Chambers has written far more thoughtful scifi than most authors attempt. This is such a thoughtfully built world, incorporating themes we can recognize from our own world. Nothing h ...more
This is not a book for those who like action-packed scifi. Rather, it's for those who enjoy meditative stories. Chambers has written far more thoughtful scifi than most authors attempt. This is such a thoughtfully built world, incorporating themes we can recognize from our own world. Nothing h ...more

“Humans, we’ve got something dangerous in us. We almost destroyed ourselves because of it.”
4.5 stars ⭐️
Outstanding! I’ve officially been converted to sci fi!
Until this book I’ve never enjoyed sci fi. This has completely changed my view of sci fi and it is flipping awesome!
Some of the most imaginative world building and characterisations I’ve ever come across. The crew of the Wayfarer were amazing and I loved them all in their own way. The relationships were fantastic, both platonic and roman ...more
4.5 stars ⭐️
Outstanding! I’ve officially been converted to sci fi!
Until this book I’ve never enjoyed sci fi. This has completely changed my view of sci fi and it is flipping awesome!
Some of the most imaginative world building and characterisations I’ve ever come across. The crew of the Wayfarer were amazing and I loved them all in their own way. The relationships were fantastic, both platonic and roman ...more

Oct 23, 2016
Kevin Kelsey
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-it-again,
read-2016
Posted at Heradas
I’ve never read a book quite like this. There wasn’t much of a story at all, but it was still engaging just on the strength of the characters alone. Each chapter felt like a moral-of-the-week episode in a nineties TV series. The overall arc is more about the characters and how their relationships change over time than any actual describable narrative.
That all sounds kind of negative when I read it back, but it’s not meant to be. Mostly I’m just impressed with how well it worked ...more
I’ve never read a book quite like this. There wasn’t much of a story at all, but it was still engaging just on the strength of the characters alone. Each chapter felt like a moral-of-the-week episode in a nineties TV series. The overall arc is more about the characters and how their relationships change over time than any actual describable narrative.
That all sounds kind of negative when I read it back, but it’s not meant to be. Mostly I’m just impressed with how well it worked ...more

The sequel to this was a Hugo nominee, so I figured I'd start with the first one, and requested it from the library. Well, maybe the sequel was a lot better, but unless I am assured of such a circumstance by a large and passionate crowd; I'm unlikely to bother to find out.
"The Long Way..." is a concept piece. It's a reaction to traditional space opera. In a "normal" sci-fi adventure, the scrappy crew of the "Wayfarer" would end up getting pulled into some kind of conflict bigger than themselves ...more
"The Long Way..." is a concept piece. It's a reaction to traditional space opera. In a "normal" sci-fi adventure, the scrappy crew of the "Wayfarer" would end up getting pulled into some kind of conflict bigger than themselves ...more

Jul 20, 2018
Kaylin (The Re-Read Queen)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Kaylin by:
Elle (ellexamines)
4.5 Stars
Before picking this up, I knew nothing about it—except slow-burn, found-family in space. And honestly that’s half my reading tastes in one sentence.
But what I didn’t know (and what elevated this book to ‘awesome’ status for me) is its ...more
“All you can do, Rosemary – all any of us can do – is work to be something positive instead. That is a choice that every sapient must make every day of their life. The universe is what we make of it. It’s up to you to decide what part you will play.”
Before picking this up, I knew nothing about it—except slow-burn, found-family in space. And honestly that’s half my reading tastes in one sentence.
But what I didn’t know (and what elevated this book to ‘awesome’ status for me) is its ...more

1.) The Long Way To A Small, Angry Planet ★★★★★
2.) A Closed and Common Orbit ★★★★.5
3.) Record Of A Spaceborn Few ★★
-----------------------------------------------
I LOVED THIS SOOOOO MUCH
2.) A Closed and Common Orbit ★★★★.5
3.) Record Of A Spaceborn Few ★★
-----------------------------------------------
I LOVED THIS SOOOOO MUCH

Mar 14, 2018
Matthew
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Sci-Fi Character Based Story Fans
I had been hearing a lot about this book from some booktubers I follow. Surprisingly, that is the only place I had heard about this – I don’t remember seeing it in my Goodreads feed when others were reading it. But, since a few people said it was their favorite book they read last year, I figured it was worth giving it a try.
Whenever I dig into a Sci-Fi or Fantasy novel, I usually find the new world a bit difficult to get into. That was honestly the case with this book as well; lots of new plane ...more
Whenever I dig into a Sci-Fi or Fantasy novel, I usually find the new world a bit difficult to get into. That was honestly the case with this book as well; lots of new plane ...more

May 10, 2017
Lauren (Shakespeare & Whisky)
rated it
it was ok
Shelves:
science-fiction,
1-and-2-star-books
This was so god-damn boring.
I have taken like two weeks to read this. I cringe when I open my e-reader and it automatically loads to this novel.
I can totally understand why people would love this book and if it had even a smidge of actual dramatic tension I would have loved it.
The world building was interesting and detailed. It is not only well- thought out, it is thought-provoking.
So why two stars? There is no dramatic thru- line.
What do I mean by this? Questions, mysteries and potential drama ...more
I have taken like two weeks to read this. I cringe when I open my e-reader and it automatically loads to this novel.
I can totally understand why people would love this book and if it had even a smidge of actual dramatic tension I would have loved it.
The world building was interesting and detailed. It is not only well- thought out, it is thought-provoking.
So why two stars? There is no dramatic thru- line.
What do I mean by this? Questions, mysteries and potential drama ...more

“I can wait for the galaxy outside to get a little kinder.”
First thing I have to say is: A+ cover and title choice. It had me in love the moment I first laid my eyes on this book.
To be honest, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet was not what I expected.
I imagined a romantic and action-packed plot. What I got was an incredibly detailed, imaginably crafted and super lovely space-trip. This novel was more about friendship, trust and acceptance, than anything else. I was everything but disappointe ...more
First thing I have to say is: A+ cover and title choice. It had me in love the moment I first laid my eyes on this book.
To be honest, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet was not what I expected.
I imagined a romantic and action-packed plot. What I got was an incredibly detailed, imaginably crafted and super lovely space-trip. This novel was more about friendship, trust and acceptance, than anything else. I was everything but disappointe ...more

Going for £0.99 on Amazon Kindle UK right now! Grab it while you can!
Characterization. This is how you do it.
This books was SO well written. It felt so real.
Don't go in expecting space battles and an epic space opera. Go in expecting superb characters (many of which are aliens) against the backdrop of space.
Loved it.
Book Depository has free worldwide shipping for it :) ...more
Characterization. This is how you do it.
This books was SO well written. It felt so real.
Don't go in expecting space battles and an epic space opera. Go in expecting superb characters (many of which are aliens) against the backdrop of space.
Loved it.
Book Depository has free worldwide shipping for it :) ...more

This book was definitely unlike anything I have ever read before.
It is a sci-fi about the crew on a spaceship called The Wayfarer. But don't go into this book expecting an action-packed space adventure. This is a completely character driven book that explores gender, sexuality, race and politics in the most beautiful way. ...more
It is a sci-fi about the crew on a spaceship called The Wayfarer. But don't go into this book expecting an action-packed space adventure. This is a completely character driven book that explores gender, sexuality, race and politics in the most beautiful way. ...more

Dec 08, 2016
✨ jamieson ✨
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
y'ALL
Shelves:
2016-reads,
favorites,
favourite-covers,
lgbtqiap,
adult,
science-fiction,
fantasy,
series,
lesbian-mc,
completed-series
There was a nebula there, an explosion of dust and light, the fiery corpse of an ancient giant. Within the gaseous folds slept clusters of unborn stars, shining softly....more
She took an inventory of her body. She felt her breath, her blood, the ties binding it all together. Every piece, down to the last atom had been made out here, flung through the open in a moment of violence, until they swirled round and round, churning and coalescing, becoming heavy, weighing each other down.
But not any more,

3/5 ★★★
This book had me on the fence for either a three or four star rating, I settled for 3.5 right smack bang in the middle. Haha.
I'm going keep this review short & sweet.
I picked this book up after ...more
"A black hole was the perfect place to contemplate death. There was nothing in the universe that could last forever. Not stars. Not matter. Nothing.”
This book had me on the fence for either a three or four star rating, I settled for 3.5 right smack bang in the middle. Haha.
I'm going keep this review short & sweet.

“It was more the prospect of getting mugged. Or harassed. Or stabbed. She’d seen a few people that definitely looked stabby.”
I picked this book up after ...more

May 12, 2016
Nick Imrie
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction,
science-fiction
I find myself in a difficult position reviewing this book. It's an astonishingly bad book, but it was recommended highly by many people whose opinions I respect. It's hard for me to know if I'm judging this book fairly on its own merits or comparing it unfavourably with the book I was expecting. I was expecting senstive, nuanced writing, good enough to be classed as literary fiction; optimistic and joyful SF in the style of Star Trek or The Martian; and maybe a little bit of adventure or mystery
...more

4.25ish stars.
Somehow this manages to be both sweet and hardcore at the same time. Its characters are people I want to knock a few back with and I don't even drink. Chambers has made them each awesome in their own ways without trying too hard. They're not cool in the way that literary heroes (superheroes, public heroes, unsung heroes, etc.) typically are. They're just legitimately good people who do what they do and watch out for their own. It's refreshing.
It doesn't even bother me a bit that ...more
Somehow this manages to be both sweet and hardcore at the same time. Its characters are people I want to knock a few back with and I don't even drink. Chambers has made them each awesome in their own ways without trying too hard. They're not cool in the way that literary heroes (superheroes, public heroes, unsung heroes, etc.) typically are. They're just legitimately good people who do what they do and watch out for their own. It's refreshing.
It doesn't even bother me a bit that ...more

2.5 stars. Unpopular opinion time! The first of my two DNFs in the last few weeks. This breezy adventure about a motley crew in an old spaceship was just okay for me. It never captured my imagination, and I ended up putting it down about halfway through and just never picking it back up again.
If diversity and acceptance are deeply important to you, this might be a great read for you. Everybody on the crew of the Wayfarer is diverse (mostly in a space alien but also in a sexuality kind of way) b ...more
If diversity and acceptance are deeply important to you, this might be a great read for you. Everybody on the crew of the Wayfarer is diverse (mostly in a space alien but also in a sexuality kind of way) b ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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SB Indy Book Club: January 2021 Book Club Discussion | 1 | 6 | Jan 21, 2021 01:26PM | |
YA Buddy Readers'...: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers #1) by Becky Chambers - Starting November 8th 2020 | 19 | 19 | Nov 30, 2020 11:26AM |
Becky Chambers is a science fiction author based in Northern California. She is best known for her Hugo Award-winning Wayfarers series, which currently includes The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, A Closed and Common Orbit, and Record of a Spaceborn Few. Her books have also been nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, the Locus Award, and the Women's Prize for Fiction, among others. Her most
...more
Other books in the series
Wayfarers
(4 books)
Articles featuring this book
Science fiction and fantasy have spawned some of the most imaginative plots and settings in existence. Makes sense, given that these genres are...
252 likes · 101 comments
3 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“Ninety percent of all problems are caused by people being assholes.”
“What causes the other ten percent?” asked Kizzy.
“Natural disasters,” said Nib.”
—
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“What causes the other ten percent?” asked Kizzy.
“Natural disasters,” said Nib.”
“All you can do, Rosemary – all any of us can do – is work to be something positive instead. That is a choice that every sapient must make every day of their life. The universe is what we make of it. It’s up to you to decide what part you will play.”
—
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More quotes…