"The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" First Impressions *No Spoilers*

[Sarah]

I'm extremely excited to finally be reading The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers. Help me stay excited! Tell us what you think, spoiler free.

[Chris]

It was a light and fun book with likable characters. I did feel that it was driven too much by its message, like a children's fable with the moral at the end.

[Rob]

I started this recently, and I'm really enjoying it so far. A bit light on plot, but the characters are great.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

I read this recently with another group. I really liked it. Definitely a character based story, with what feels almost like inter-related vignettes, but I thought the different alien races and cultures were handled well.

I also like the way the story uses occasional letters and news feeds and whatnot to "info dump" but still in an interesting and relevant way.

[Hank]

Very early but I love the constant comments that the pod was a sucky way to travel.

[Jason]

I'm about 25% through. I'm enjoying it so far. I like the idea of science fiction that is written about the worker bees, and the characters are definitely members of the 99%, not the 1%. It's kind of reminiscent of Nathan Lowell's Quarter Share, especially when one views the story from the viewpoint of Rosemary.

[Trike]

My first impressions were not great, but I was intrigued just enough to keep going. So very glad I did.

[Edwin]

I am enjoying the cleverness of the characterizations of all of the different races she has thrown together, but so far it feels a little silly and without much substance. Of course, I still have another 440 pages to go.

[Glynn]

Only about 50 pages in but I am enjoying this book. It is reminding me of my favorite science fiction TV show, "Firefly." Especially the character Kizzy who seems to be a clone of Kalee from Firefly.

[Kim]

I see some similarities but Kizzy is a lot different to Kaylee.

[Glynn]

Kim wrote: "I see some similarities but Kizzy is a lot different to Kaylee."

Guess I will have to read further to percieve the big differences.

[Kim]

I watched an interview with Becky Chambers where she said she hadn't watched Firefly until after she'd written most of the book, the characters were already created.

[Dawn]

I really liked this book, it had my interest right from the beginning.

[AndrewP]

Kim wrote: "I watched an interview with Becky Chambers where she said she hadn't watched Firefly until after she'd written most of the book, the characters were already created."

I wonder if she was a player of the pen and paper RPG Traveller? That's pretty much where Firefly came from.

[Casceil]

I have read about a quarter of the book now. I like the way the author introduced the characters. By introducing us to them as Rosemary met them, we got to know them a little gradually, rather than through an info dump. I had not thought of Kizzy as like Kaylee, but now that it has been suggested I can see similarities. I think, though, that it is more because both fit a sort of standard character of a creative mechanic who also happens to be female.

[Glynn]

Casceil, I like your theory. I hadn't read another book with a character like that so I latched on to the one I knew. :)

[Juan]

It's not the greatest of sci-fi books but you can't stop reading it. Also, I like the non distopian story. It's refreshing.

[Esther]

This book had some good ideas but I wish the author had put aside the sledgehammer and credited the reader with some intelligence in order to get across her message.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Juan wrote: "It's not the greatest of sci-fi books but you can't stop reading it. Also, I like the non distopian story. It's refreshing."

I so agree!

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Esther wrote: "This book had some good ideas but I wish the author had put aside the sledgehammer and credited the reader with some intelligence in order to get across her message."

You know, a lot of people complain that Chambers is "preaching" but I don't see it at all.

It's surely a universe where it could be easy to offend but I'm having a hard time seeing it as preaching.

[Veronica]

I read this just a few months ago for another group. It had a bunch of quirky, interesting characters and I liked it even though I felt like it was more about delivering certain messages than it was about constructing a cohesive plot. But it was a pleasant, uplifting read nonetheless.

[Dawn]

I agree with MrsJ, the "preaching" never came across to me at all. I never once felt like I was being delivered a message while reading it.

[Jessica]

I flew through this book in a weekend. It is a bit light on plot, but the characters are so interesting that it doesn't matter. It's kind of like a TV show where each character gets their own episode to explore their backstory. I think that's why I also thought of Firefly when reading it, but it certainly isn't a direct rip-off.

And Kizzy is the best :)

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Jessica wrote: "I flew through this book in a weekend. It is a bit light on plot, but the characters are so interesting that it doesn't matter. It's kind of like a TV show where each character gets their own episo..."

You know, another group I read this with felt the same way. And I agree - it's very episodic. Everyone has their own little "episode."

[Valerie]

About 30% in. I agree with others that this book is light from a plot standpoint. It is fun, but it just lacks depth.

I am finding the different species interesting, but again, I have agree that it feels like it flows from episode to episode with each character. Who knows, maybe all of the character vignettes will pull together into a common thread. Right now, it feels a little disjointed - just enough to keep me from being fully immersed.


Also, Kizzy's first introduction, I thought this exactly: Glynn wrote: "Only about 50 pages in but I am enjoying this book. It is reminding me of my favorite science fiction TV show, "Firefly." Especially the character Kizzy who seems to be a clone of Kalee from Firefly."

[Michael]

I’m up to page 44 and am loving it so far. I like the laid back space environment combined with all the awareness of interspecies differences and languages and the concept that humans have interbred to a predominantly amber color.

I can see why people might think of Kaylee initially for Kizzy. It’s hard not to notice the similar names and that both characters are female ship mechanics that seem almost too cheerful. When we first meet Kizzy, she has this speech, and I could almost imagine her saying “shiny” at the end, instead of bestest:

Kizzy’s face lit up like a globulb. “No, but see, that’s why it’s so fun! It’s like a puzzle, figuring out what kind of circuits the old ones will talk to, adding new bits to make things more homey, staying on top of all the old framework’s secrets so we don’t blow up.” She gave a contented sight. “It’s the best job ever. Have you seen the Fishbowl yet?... Just wait. It’s the bestest.”

I expect the characters will diverge more once we get to know Kizzy a little better. I couldn't picture Kaylee wearing Kizzy's delightfully ludicrous
outfit at dinner, for example!

[Glynn]

Kim wrote: "I watched an interview with Becky Chambers where she said she hadn't watched Firefly until after she'd written most of the book, the characters were already created."

Tried to find the interview but no luck. I did find this. I think now that Kizzy is like Becky! ;)

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

I feel like i'm really missing a lot sine I haven't seen any Firefly in...years and years (and only one watch per episode + movie). I don't even remember Kaylee.

[Kim]

Glynn wrote: "Tried to find the interview but no luck. I did find this. I think now that Kizzy is like Becky! ;)"

Oh you're right. I watched that interview and mixed it up with the AMA she did on Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comm...

[Edwin]

Finished. Great fun and I can't wait until the spoilers thread opens. There is SO much to talk about.

[Nick]

I thought this book was really bad, and I've been kinda surprised to see so many people rate it so highly!

I'm really looking forward to the spoilers thread so I can get a better understanding of where everyone else is coming from, because I feel like I must've missed or misunderstood a big chunk of the book!

Briefly: it had almost no plot, very 1-dimensional annoying characters; terrible world-building; and (for me this is the most important part) for a book that is sooo preachy it was fairly morally bankrupt.

Thanks to everyone who put in links to interviews and AMAs, I'm gonna go have a look and see if that gives me a better understanding.

[Ellen]

50% through. Like the characters and story. Never watched Firefly but now am intrigued. I'll check it out if I ever have time with all the to reads I have lined up!

[Esther]

MrsJoseph wrote: "Esther wrote: "This book had some good ideas but I wish the author had put aside the sledgehammer and credited the reader with some intelligence in order to get across her message."
You know, a lo..."

I wouldn't call it preaching because for me that is complaining about it having such an strong (unsubtle) message.
For me the sledgehammer was the way she put across the message.
The world building at the beginning involves a lot of telling instead of showing and some of the scenes were so clumsy I cringed.
It felt like Firefly produced by the Hallmark Channel.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Esther wrote: "It felt like Firefly produced by the Hallmark Channel.

I'm starting to think this might be the biggest issue. [You] automatically think of nothing but Firefly as [you] read.

I don't have enough familiarity with Firefly to remember...hardly anything except the basics (ragtag crew, hot captain, ship, chases).

So, I get none of that [Firefly] stuff. I don't remember Kaylee so I only saw Kizzy.

It IS rather light. I can see that in this era of Grimdark that something this light could seem Hallmark-ish but I found it refreshing. I can't say it's my favorite SF ever but I didn't get that.

[Sarah]

I find the Firefly comparisons interesting since Kim mentioned she had never seen the show prior to writing the book. That must be frustrating for her.

I'm going to have to start this today. You guys are all killing me with curiosity. Plus, Edwin's review was so fabulous that I may have a heart attack if I don't pick it up NOW.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

My first reaction was "ooh, this is Firefly-y", but as I read it, I started to see more of the differences than the similarities.

In the end, it's sort of a mash up of Star Trek and Farscape with some Firefly-esqe charm...

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

colleen the fabulous fabulaphile wrote: "My first reaction was "ooh, this is Firefly-y", but as I read it, I started to see more of the differences than the similarities.

In the end, it's sort of a mash up of Star Trek and Farscape with ..."

I'm starting to think I'm I the only person who sees old school Star Trek.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Sarah Anne wrote: "I find the Firefly comparisons interesting since Kim mentioned she had never seen the show prior to writing the book. That must be frustrating for her.

I'm going to have to start this today. You g..."


You're right. Edwin's review is fab.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

MrsJoseph wrote: "I'm starting to think I'm I the only person who sees old school Star Trek. "


I'm not sure I thought of Star Trek before you'd mentioned it in the other group... but after you mentioned it I totally get the comparison. Star Trek dealt with a lot of philosophical and moral and ethical quandaries... and sometimes even got into the realm of what some people would call preachy. (Racism is bad, mm'kay.)




I'm on the side of people who didn't feel the book overly preachy - but I did think it had certain views...

But there were other topics which I think certain *characters* had strong views about, but the book avoided being preachy by presenting other characters with differing views, and the characters, often, ultimately were able to either try and see things from other perspectives, or agree to disagree...

This is also why I disagree that the book doesn't have depth. I guess it depends on what you mean by depth. Yes, it doesn't have a strong central plot. It's more character and idea based than plot-based. This doesn't mean it doesn't have depth... it's just that the depth is spent in exploring the ethical quandaries...

ETA: Which isn't to say there weren't times I wished the author had gone a bit deeper into certain issues, because there were times she sort of just skimmed the surface and sort of moved on too quickly for my tastes...

But I can't really get into specifics until the spoiler thread.

[Valerie]

I saw the Firefly comparisons with Kizzy/Kaylee and a touch of swashbuckling, but not much beyond that .

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

colleen the fabulous fabulaphile wrote: "But there were other topics which I think certain *characters* had strong views about, but the book avoided being preachy by presenting other characters with differing views, and the characters, often, ultimately were able to either try and see things from other perspectives, or agree to disagree...

This is also why I disagree that the book doesn't have depth. I guess it depends on what you mean by depth. Yes, it doesn't have a strong central plot. It's more character and idea based than plot-based. This doesn't mean it doesn't have depth... it's just that the depth is spent in exploring the ethical quandaries...

ETA: Which isn't to say there weren't times I wished the author had gone a bit deeper into certain issues, because there were times she sort of just skimmed the surface and sort of moved on too quickly for my tastes...."

I agree. I didn't find it lacked depth as much as maybe it lacked enough depth. (I didn't say that right).

There are so many ways the book could have ended which could have been emotionally wrenching but I got the feeling that Chambers wasn't out to write a tearjerker or a Grimdark. It felt like she was delving back to the days when space/flight/aliens was considered an adventure vs the beginning of the end.

[Esther]

Valerie wrote: "I saw the Firefly comparisons with Kizzy/Kaylee and a touch of swashbuckling, but not much beyond that ."

It was recommended to me as 'Firefly-similar' and for any Joss Whedon fan an ensemble crew in Space is going to be compared Firefly ( on the same lines that any vampire is going to be compared to Angel and any kick-ass heroine is compared to Buffy, Echo or River Tam.)

I don't mind that the author had views to express or that the story was more fun and less dark than is currently fashionable.
My problem is with the writing, which felt immature.
@Edwin said "so far it feels a little silly and without much substance" which IMHO is due to the writing not the ideas or the story.

Some strict editing would have excised a lot of the clumsy exposition and replaced it with storytelling showing exactly the same thing. This would also have eliminated much of the sledgehammer where the author 'kindly' reiterates her points in case we miss them the first time.
Such storytelling in addition to expanding some rather episodic and abruptly concluded plot developments could have made this an incredibly strong novel.

[Michael]

Esther wrote: "Valerie wrote: "I saw the Firefly comparisons with Kizzy/Kaylee and a touch of swashbuckling, but not much beyond that ."

It was recommended to me as 'Firefly-similar' and for any Joss Whedon fan an ensemble crew in Space is going to be compared Firefly ( on the same lines that any vampire is going to be compared to Angel and any kick-ass heroine is compared to Buffy, Echo or River Tam.)"

I guess I can see that. Firefly is kind of this generation's Star Trek (even to the point of the cancellation/fandom/movie-reboot cycle). For me, I only experienced a brief Kaylee flashback, and perhaps saw the clunky, patchwork ship comparison. But now that things have got started it actually reminds me more of Grimspace, which also focuses more on character banter and hijinks and less on evocative writing. (And also has some interesting navigational theories...)

[Esther]

Michael wrote: "I guess I can see that. Firefly is kind of this generation's Star Trek (even to the point of the cancellation/fandom/movie-reboot cycle). .."

I am actually an even bigger Star Trek fan but nothing compares to Star Trek :0)

It seems I will have to try out this Grimspace...

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

I agree that the writing was a bit clunky, especially, for me, in the transitions from "vignette to vignette". I do wish it felt a bit more fluid... and I also wished we felt more of a sense of time passing, and the effects it would have, on the "long way".

[Michael]

p. 106 “The moon of Coriol was tidally locked, which allowed an uninterrupted source of sunlight to fall upon the skins of matted scum that capped its quiet seas. The merchants and traders who kept permanent residence on the moon often made their home on the dark side, away from the sun and the stink.”

Question: If a moon is “tidally locked”, doesn’t that mean it always faces the planet it orbits? What does that have to do with sunlight? Our moon is tidally locked but it still gets sunlight on all its sides over the course of a month. A planet that is tidally locked would always face the sun, but not a moon, right?

[AndrewP]

Michael wrote: "Question: If a moon is “tidally locked”, doesn’t that mean it always faces the planet it orbits? What does that have to do with sunlight? Our moon is tidally locked but it still gets sunlight on all its sides over the course of a month. A planet that is tidally locked would always face the sun, but not a moon, right? "

Yes, you are exactly right.

[Valerie]

Esther wrote: "My problem is with the writing, which felt immature.
@Edwin said "so far it feels a little silly and without much substance" which IMHO is due to the writing not the ideas or the story...."

+1 to this sentiment.

[Kim]

I'm pretty sure one of the biggest sources of inspiration for this was Mass Effect.

[Ellen]

Kim wrote: "I'm pretty sure one of the biggest sources of inspiration for this was Mass Effect."
I never thought of that but now that I do there are a lot of similarities with Mass Effect.
Maybe its just she was brought up in the space entertainment culture and they all left a mark.