A Psalm for the Wild Built
ISBN: 9781250236210
Description
It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend. One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of what do people need? is answered. But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how. They're going to need to ask it a lot.
Reviewed on 1st June 2025
The first of two Monk & Robot stories by Becky Chambers, this short novel introduces us to Sibling Dex - a monk who isn’t sure what he wants from life.
The world-building is excellent, painting a wonderful picture of a future utopia where people can live as they want and have everything they need, and yet still yearn.
It’s a very relaxing read, though the brevity meant I got through it in a day and I would have liked the experience to last longer. So maybe when I get the sequel I’ll know to take that at a slower pace.
