Derek Caelin's comment on The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

Derek Caelin commented on The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (Wayfarers, #1)

Becky Chambers: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Hardcover, 2015, Hodder & Stoughton Ltd)

Follow a motley crew on an exciting journey through space—and one adventurous young explorer who …

Isn't it interesting how Becky Chambers subverts storytelling tropes? There isn't an over-arching conflict, there isn't a "hero's journey" (eat your heart out, Joseph Campbell!) - there is simply a crew/family living their lives. Sometimes there is a problem to be resolved, but, generally, the book is about plopping oneself down and watching these people exist and be decent to each other. I love it, and I love how it demonstrates the range of what fiction can be.

Muckz replied to Derek Caelin's status

@DerekCaelin Exactly! She focuses on the development of characters and their relations. And she does it so well, that I heard all of her books this year and not once got bored. In opposite, I now dread other stories with the usual disaster - conflict - everything-goes-to-hell,but-not-quite story line.

Ali Clarke replied to Derek Caelin's status

@DerekCaelin I read the whole series recently and loved it 💚

Sean Bala replied to Derek Caelin's status

@DerekCaelin Really loved both "A Psalm for the Wild-Built" and "A Prayer for the Crown Shy" and I've been thinking of giving her other books a go. Thanks for the reminder.