Becky Chambers
Book 3 of the Wayfarers series
Set in the same world as the ...small angry planet, this story takes place right at the end of that timeline, but in a different part of space. We are set in the Exodan Fleet, which is the group of homestead ships that left Earth generations ago when the Earth was final abandoned as a destroyed ecosystem. There isn't a single protagonist, and the 6 stories that Chambers bounces us between really aren't intertwined. At about half-way through, I nearly gave up, not finding "excitement" in the story. But stick with it my friend. It helps to realize that this is not a traditional space opera. Instead, it is an anthropological telling of what it means to be an Exodan, a people who has lived for generations without a home. As I wrote that, I probably now need to re-read this with an eye to how it might mirror the biblical exodus story??? What I did appreciate is the reflection on imperialism, colonialism and violence. There is a really good sequence discussing identity and value for both the colonizer and the colonized and the role that violence plays for both individuals and cultures. Once again, Chambers has shown us outstanding science fiction that asks us to think about who we are and why we are.
4 stars (out of 4)
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