A Prayer for the Crown-shy picks up where [b:A Psalm for the Wild-Built|40864002|A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk & Robot, #1)|Becky Chambers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600789291l/40864002.SY75.jpg|63655961] ends. It has the same tone and pace, with the two friends having many philosophical conversations around a campfire. Do you know what ‘crown-shy’ means? I won’t spoil it for you, but when it’s revealed towards the end of the book, I guarantee it will make you smile. The second book has a very open ending, so I hope Chambers continues this gentle series. The world needs books like these!

Reading this book brought to mind [b:The Little Prince|157993|The Little Prince|Antoine de Saint-Exupéry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1367545443l/157993.SY75.jpg|2180358]. A seemingly simple story that addresses existential questions such as: ‘what gives a life purpose’; ‘do we need a purpose to lead a good life’ and ‘what do humans need?’

In less that 150 pages, Chambers has created a utopian world where half the continent is designed for human life, and the other half left to nature, including the ocean. “It was a crazy split, if you thought about it: half the land for a single species, half for the hundreds of thousands of others. But then humans had a knack for throwing things out of balance. Finding a limit they’d stick to was victory enough.’

Sentient robots made an agreement with humans (the Parting Promise) whereby they disappeared into the wilderness to follow their own path as free beings. No one has had contact with them for centuries, and humans have adapted to life where everything is done manually.

Dex is a non-binary tea monk, who travels from village to village, brewing special teas and providing a safe space for humans to talk about their concerns and worries, while being soothed by a calming cup of tea.

Dex’s world is turned upside down when they encounter Mosscap, a robot who has been chosen to discover how humans are coping since the robots left them. It was sent to answer the question: ‘What do humans need?’

And so they talk of many things (nod to Lewis Carroll)…And as they talk, we learn about this world, where buildings are made from masonry that is designed to decompose over time and computers built to last a lifetime. Where the earth is respected and revered by humans. ’A forest floor is a living thing’ and as such, the local people do not stray from designated paths, for fear of destroying the delicate ecosystem of the forest floor.

As we watch our own world collapse under the weight of over consumerism and corporate greed, escaping into Chambers’ optimistic vision of what is possible is like a salve for the soul.

I promised to challenge myself this year and read out of my comfort zone: hence this science fiction novel.
My knowledge of sci-fi is limited to Star Trek, Star Wars and Blade Runner so my expectations were somewhat limited.

To be Taught if Fortunate takes us to the 22nd century. In this future, space exploration is citizen-funded, ‘exploration for exploration’s sake. Apolitical, international, non-profit.’ Reflecting the Prime Directive of the Star Trek universe, astronauts are forever careful to minimise their impact on the planets they explore: ‘We try to be mindful tenants and ethical observers.’ To this end, astronauts use ‘somaforming’, synthetic biological supplementations that enable them to visit other planets, survive their environments and leave nothing behind that could damage the planet’s own delicate balance. As our narrator, Ariadne explains, ‘I’m an observer, not a conqueror. I have no interest in changing other worlds to suit me. I choose the lighter touch: changing myself to suit them.’

Ariadne and her fellow crew members have travelled 15 light years (in stasis) to explore 4 planets.
As they perform their tasks, the crew discuss the ethics of space exploration and what they miss most about home. Chambers explains complex science well and explores the ethics of space travel with insight and without hyperbole. This is a surprising gentle book: it’s characters are not interested in glory and honours, but rather in doing what is right and honourable.

Highly recommended.