Hopecore, solarpunk, speculative green fiction...

There are a lot of ways you could describe the type of work that Becky Chambers put together in her first of two novellas known as the Monk & Robot duology. In general, her take of an earth partially reclaimed by nature and humanity living in better balance with not just nature, but with each other through enlightened emotional maturity is a soft blanket, warm coffee, good book during a rainstorm level of cozy. It is a brisk, concise piece of light science fiction / coming of age tale about finding oneself, and giving time and grace to allow oneself to simply exist in a world that feels good to be in.

The book makes no apologies for its softness and kindness. The stakes here are low. The biggest threats our protagonists face are those of wild nature itself — weather, falls, exposure — all of which are muted at best. What is really the crux of the story is that there is a person who, despite living a relatively comfortable and safe life, struggles to find meaning and hopes to do so by reconnecting with nature. Chambers reminds us here that wanting fulfillment or purpose, or just wanting to simply safely exist to think and take the world in, are equally okay, and that's a nice message to reinforce.

Despite most literature ramping up the threats in the name of excitement or thrill, the gaining popularity of books like Stoner and this are reminders these more mundane questions are the ones most people face and struggle with on a daily basis. Ask a new parent, an overworked retail clerk, or an overwhelmed student what they most want out of life in that moment, and I bet a warm cup of tea, listening to nature, in the comfort of a familiar friend wouldn't be far down the list.

3.5 out of 5