Paperback, 364 pages
English language
Published Aug. 7, 2017 by Hodder & Stoughton.
Once, Lovelace had eyes and ears everywhere. She was a ship's artificial intelligence system - possessing a personality and very human emotions. But when her ship was badly damaged, Lovelace was forced to reboot and reset. Now housed in an illegal synthetic body, she's never felt so isolated. But Lovelace is not alone. Pepper, an engineer who risked her life to reinstall Lovelace's program, has remained by her side and is determined to help her.
Zwei Geschichten, zwei Personen, zwei Orte in einer großen Rahmenhandlung. Gut erzählt. Spannend, aber nicht zermürbend.
More feel-good scifi. (No spoilers:) It's Pepper backstory, and another minor character from A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. I think this one benefits a lot from taking it slowly and focussing on just two characters.
I absolutely adored this book. I realise that part of this is that it was a perfect little escape while I was stuck at home with covid, but I do also think it's really wonderful.
It has some similar strengths to the first in the series, in that it's mostly about the relationships between a few outcast characters that become a chosen family and just happen to be in space. But if anything I think it's better written (I guess Chambers getting into her stride with book 2), and benefits from being a more focussed story of a smaller number of characters. And has some weightier things to say about embodiment, the tension between fitting in and freedom, and loyalty & reciprocity.
I am excited about the rest of the series.
Becky Chambers' approach to sci-fi has ruined me. No longer will I accept grungy and dystopian worlds that don't have redeeming character arcs filled with friendship, love, and care. This book is just so good.
"A Closed And Common Orbit" by Becky Chambers is set in the same universe as "The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet" but follows side characters from the first book.
It took me a while to adjust to the new cast (I was still in love with the old cast!) but once I took a little break and came back to it with a fresh pallet, I really enjoyed it. I particularly liked how much the characters tried to look after each other.
Deep and engaging
When I started reading this I was a little disappointed that we were going off on a tangent. As the novel continued though I came to love the story.
It reminds me of Iain M. Banks and Anne McCaffrey in equal measures. A universe to explore and live in. Deep philosophical questions, and a cast that doesn't die off one at a time (I hope this doesn't change in future books).
Highly recommended.
I found this much more emotional of a read than I expected. The questions about what makes a person a person, and a home a home, and a family a family, not to mention what is the relationship between ourselves and our physical bodies— it’s a lot to handle! And the book does is so gently even as it’s really fierce on valuing lives and loves. Anyway. She’s so good, Becky Chambers.
Lovelace is the AI that manages the Wayfarer — until she finds herself freshly rebooted, no memories, and migrated to a human body. Pepper, my favourite character from Long Way, finds herself playing mother-figure to Lovelace.
Becky Chambers is the supreme ruler of character-driven science fiction. No one else creates characters that readers get deeply invested in quite like she does. She gives us the very best of found family.
My one complaint about The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet was the lack of a clear, cohesive plot. The characters in this book are every bit as compelling — possibly even more so. But what separates the two books is that this one follows a more traditional story arc.
If you’re someone who lives for action-heavy, bang-bang-pew-pew science fiction, this might not be your bag. But if you (like me) love story that puts the focus on the …
Lovelace is the AI that manages the Wayfarer — until she finds herself freshly rebooted, no memories, and migrated to a human body. Pepper, my favourite character from Long Way, finds herself playing mother-figure to Lovelace.
Becky Chambers is the supreme ruler of character-driven science fiction. No one else creates characters that readers get deeply invested in quite like she does. She gives us the very best of found family.
My one complaint about The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet was the lack of a clear, cohesive plot. The characters in this book are every bit as compelling — possibly even more so. But what separates the two books is that this one follows a more traditional story arc.
If you’re someone who lives for action-heavy, bang-bang-pew-pew science fiction, this might not be your bag. But if you (like me) love story that puts the focus on the people, you’re going to love this one.
Cool reflections on artificial intelligence but the story feels flat.
Sentience, a near-and-dear topic for me, as with the value of same. Absolutely lovely read, from characterization to world-building. Best thing I've read in ages.
Loved the first book, enjoyed this one even more. At first I was sad we left the main cast of book 1, but came to love this new crew just as much. What an amazing story.
A Closed and Common Orbit is a great exploration on how civilisation will handle sentient AI's and how these beings (are they?) think and search for meaning.
If you are only slightly interested in our AI future, this is a must read.
I tore through the paperback in only two days as it combined two genres I really like: sci-fi and the upbringing of "feral" children. At first I was a bit disappointed that this book was not about the crew of the Wayfarer (or at least not all of them) but that quickly wore off because, like the first book, it was such an engaging read. It is told from two changing perspectives in two different times and still manages to keep up a steady pace and not get confusing. Again I was impressed by Chambers' skill in worldbuilding and character composition. And am looking forward to her next work, wherever it will take place!
A wonderful sequel
This book went an entirely different direction from the first in the series, yet it was just as enjoyable. My favorite part of the book was the structure in which the two stories were told in parallel, coming together into a great finish. Can't wait for the third one!
A wonderful sequel
This book went an entirely different direction from the first in the series, yet it was just as enjoyable. My favorite part of the book was the structure in which the two stories were told in parallel, coming together into a great finish. Can't wait for the third one!
