Galaxy, and the Ground Within

A Novel

by Becky Chambers

English language

Published Dec. 28, 2021 by HarperCollins Publishers.

ISBN:: 978-0-06-293605-9

(77 reviews)

With no water, no air, and no native life, the planet Gora is unremarkable. The only thing it has going for it is a chance proximity to more popular worlds, making it a decent stopover for ships traveling between the wormholes that keep the Galactic Commons connected. If deep space is a highway, Gora is just your average truck stop.

At the Five-Hop One-Stop, long-haul spacers can stretch their legs (if they have legs, that is), and get fuel, transit permits, and assorted supplies. The Five-Hop is run by an enterprising alien and her sometimes helpful child, who work hard to provide a little piece of home to everyone passing through.

When a freak technological failure halts all traffic to and from Gora, three strangers—all different species with different aims—are thrown together at the Five-Hop. Grounded, with nothing to do but wait, the trio—an exiled artist with an appointment to keep, a cargo runner at a personal crossroads, and a mysterious individual doing her best to help those on the fringes—are compelled to confront where they’ve been, where they might go, and what they are, or could be, to each other.

4 editions

ish-i-ness reviewed Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers

Review of 'Galaxy, and the Ground Within' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

If aLWtaSAP was a road trip book, this one is a truck stop book. A varied collection of individuals all representing different species with different senses, modes of communication, and even environmental needs, are stuck together for 5 days none of them will forget. They spend time together and share their different ways of experiencing the universe. It’s a quiet bookend to the Wayfarer series but very much what you’d expect after reading the other books.

the_lirazel reviewed Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers

Review of 'Galaxy, and the Ground Within' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

The stories I care about most are the ones about people from disparate backgrounds forming some kind of community--imperfect though it may be--so obviously this was My Thing. Chambers writes with such affection about her characters while not ignoring their pain and the ways they'll never agree, and I appreciate that. Her view of people (human or otherwise) is that they're primarily good, but that goodness also takes a lot of work. I do feel that sometimes her dialogue is a bit didactic--although this has lessened as the series goes on with each book being stronger than the last--but that's perhaps just a particular quirk of mine. There's still something that keeps me from naming any of her books as all time favorites, and I can't put my finger on what it is, but I always enjoy them and find them rewarding.

In this one, I especially liked the idea that's present of just giving. Not barter, not even really exchange. Just giving what you can when you can. That fits very well with Chambers' overall vibe of generosity.

I'm really sad this series is over if only because I love this universe so much and would gladly read an endless amount of stories set within it. But I totally understand a writer wanting to do new things, and I'm looking forward to what Chambers does next.

bug138 reviewed Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers

Review of 'Galaxy, and the Ground Within' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Delightful, as always.

Wetdryvac reviewed Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers

Review of 'Galaxy, and the Ground Within' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

A fabulous something something. A social SF piece? No idea, but whatever it is, it was amazingly well done, building on pieces of the prior books, and something something. I may not be able to describe it well, but I seriously enjoyed it.

V171 reviewed Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers

Review of 'Galaxy, and the Ground Within' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

As usual, Becky Chambers nailed another installation of the Wayfarers series. In this book, we take a deep exploration into the ways strangers can relate to one another, come together in a time of distress, and respect one another despite unbridgeable gaps. Our cast of characters were all wonderfully written, complex, intriguing, and realistic (which is saying a lot considering none of the featured characters are human).

The premise of this story was succinct: on a stopover planet, only known for hosting travelers for long layovers, a cataclysmic event prevents further travel. The current characters who planned to stay with their temporary host for a few hours are now stranded for an undetermined amount of time. They pass their time supporting each other, but also taking the time to learn about each other, open up, and support one another as their relationships between each of them morph.

The pacing was perfect considering the story was a lot of "sit around and wait." It managed to have interesting enough story beats without dragging on longer than it needed to. The exposition for each character also unraveled naturally, and the climax was both unexpected and gripping. A few of the decisions made by the characters I found to be either unrealistic or out of character, but it wasn't enough to detract from the story.

This is quintessential Wayfarers, but I really feel like Chambers nailed the formula with this one. We have explored a lot of complex themes up to this point: what it means to be human, the value (or lack thereof) in tradition, finding your true purpose. But each story really boiled down to a thematic through line: we are all so complex and unique individuals. Our experiences set us apart, but they don't isolate us. And that's what this book explored so well. I recommend every book in this series, and every other one of Chambers' works.

Martijn Reintjes reviewed Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers

Review of 'Galaxy, and the Ground Within' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Becky Chambers is one of my favorite sci-fi writers as she manages to make the characters in her books so very 3D. They have feelings, wants and backstories.
Every book is a nice little glimpse in what a multi-species society might look like.