Book Review | A Psalm for the Wild-Built

Centuries have passed since robots collectively left humanity and ventured into the wild—never to be seen again. However, when Sibling Dex, a tea monk, begins a pilgrimage to a hermitage, they stumble across a robot named Mosscap. Mosscap offers to act as a guide for the monk in exchange for teaching it about humanity, so together they venture through the wilderness, learning about each other and finding the meaning of life along the way.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers is a charming little novella that paints a more optimistic outlook of the future amongst a sea of eco nihilism, and I find that to be beautiful and a breath of fresh air.

I think it’s also important to note that this book is essentially a fable. It’s a philosophical exchange between the two main characters. The monk grapples with finding meaning to their life now that humanity has achieved a sort of utopia while the robot finds wonder in watching the natural decay of life, and I found it enjoyable to watch the discussion between the two.

Ultimately, if you enjoy a contemplative, food-for-though sort of book along the lines of The Alchemist, I think this one will be your cup of tea as well.

Thank you, Tor, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Details:

Publication Date : July 13, 2021

Publisher : Tordotcom Publishing

ISBN : 1250236215

Pages : 160

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