To Be Taught, If Fortunate

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 5,031 ratings

Price: 14.17

Last update: 08-09-2024


Top reviews from the United States

Ken M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written.
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
I never thought about what it must be like to sleep for years on deep space journeys... Waking up with very little aging, catching up with the passing years of voicemails and news from Earth... Completing a mission, only to spend many years in hibernation once again...

But that is really only a small part of the story, the adventures they find in their explorations create an addiction to newness and discoveries that no other career could offer...

Very worthy of reading, and quite thought provoking. My way of thinking about Earth has been changed by this book's
unique perspective.
B4UBY
4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific SciFi, Quick Read
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2023
This well-written novella grabbed my attention from page one and held it right through to the end. I read the author's debut novel, A Long, Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet after I finished this one (liked it as well) and can safely state that both share some common thematic elements that I can't do without in my Scifi. These are:

1. I need the characters in my SciFi fiction to be consummate professionals with an unmatched expertise in their fields of specialty. I really can't tolerate books or movies that depict crewmates on scientific expeditions as incompetent, or worse, psychotic. Really. Does anyone think that a mission to space to save mankind, something that, say, took a decade to prepare, would be manned by crew members with personality disorder?

2. Duty. Crews aboard space ships that travel at relativistic speeds have to be unquestionably dedicated to their mission. There is no room for doubt.

3. Sacrifice. Every man and woman aboard ship must put the needs of their fellow crewmen and the mission first.

4. Camaraderie. Everyone must get along. It's a prerequisite to success.

I find that a lot of SciFi writers manufacture drama between characters serving on starships because it's easy, and they're too conditioned to the cliche Hollywood formula to write a story without personality conflicts between characters. If you want to write about conflict between crew members on a Starship, you need to make it entirely plausible. For example, in this novella, an unpredictable incident creates a situation that doesn't seem to have a remedy. The situation leads to an entirely plausible and contagious sense of despair. Kind of like in the movie, Perfect Storm, when the crew of the Andrea Gale ran out of options and knew death was on their doorstep.

This isn't to say I liked every aspect of this read equally. There is a certain Kumbaya element in the author's writing that seems over the top. Imagine you go to friend's house for a dinner party and everyone there is raving about the house and meal to the hosts, and then complimenting each other all night long.

Still, a great book.
Emmanuel Ifediba
5.0 out of 5 stars To Be Taught, If Fortunate - A Captivating Journey of Exploration and Discovery!
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2023
"To Be Taught, If Fortunate" by Becky Chambers is a breathtaking novella that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the cosmos. This science fiction masterpiece follows the adventures of a team of astronauts as they embark on a mission to explore distant planets and the potential for life beyond our solar system. The novella is a compelling exploration of humanity's curiosity and resilience in the face of the unknown, with each member of the team bringing their unique perspectives and strengths to the forefront.

What sets "To Be Taught, If Fortunate" apart is its remarkable storytelling and evocative prose. Becky Chambers' writing weaves a tapestry of emotions and wonder, immersing readers in the awe-inspiring beauty of the universe and the complexities of the human spirit. The characters are brilliantly crafted, with their personal journeys and experiences adding depth to the narrative. This novella beautifully captures the essence of exploration and discovery, reminding us of the boundless possibilities that lie beyond the stars. If you're a fan of thought-provoking science fiction with a focus on the human spirit, "To Be Taught, If Fortunate" is a must-read that will leave you contemplating the mysteries of the cosmos long after you've turned the last page.
Janina Vega
3.0 out of 5 stars Science heavy character driven book
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2021
This is definitely a science heavy, character driven book.
There's not much happening plotwise but the exploration of several exoplanets is interesting enough.
The characters are entertaining and well represented. The book itself is from one POV.

What I liked the most about the book?
The science. Everything was thought out and investigated. It was well written, explained in an entertaining and simple way.
Why is it not a 5 star book?
Personally, I'm all about plot. I absolutely love books with mind blowing plots. This was lacking in that department but it was still good as a whole, hence the 3 stars.
The ending. Truth be told, I hated it. I hope she comes up with a continuation story. However, for some reason, it didn't change my thoughts about the book itself, which is something.

I hope this is helpful and happy reading!
Daniel E. Penz
4.0 out of 5 stars Shorter than I thought, but still better than most anything else you'll read this month!
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2023
I've now read most of Ms. Chambers works and I gotta say, if she is anywhere as kind, thoughtful and generous of soul as her protagonists, then she must be one heck of a special person and an awesome friend!

Following somewhat familiar ground with protagonists venturing into a series of strange new worlds, the story gives more insight into the thoughts, feelings and motivations of the astronauts than details of new life discovered that makes it stand out from books that cover similar ground.

The ONLY reason I'm giving this less than 5 stars is a formatting thing. Because this is a novella, there's a good chunk of supplementary back matter that adds to the page count, the story ended somewhere in the 80% mark. The conclusion is earned, but because of the pacing disconnect with kindle's completion percent, it felt awkward as a close, wrapping up before I was ready to let it go!

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