Becky Chambers writes science fiction about people and the choices that they make – and when I say “people” you need to understand that they are often aliens or even androids. In The Galaxy and the Ground Within the author tells the story of various individuals who become stranded together on a small planet for a period of time. During their time together each of them has to come to terms with something which is happening in their lives and they have a decision to make about the future. The story considers them individually and then shows how their interaction with one another helps them to move forward.
This is the fourth of a set of four books which are known collectively as the Wayfarer novels. The galaxy and the way interstellar space, etc. are connected are the same in all the books, and some of the characters are mentioned in more than one novel. The books can, however, stand alone although I have read them in order – see here for my review of one which also links to the other two reviews.
This is a gentle story and you could say that very little happens in it but the author explores difference and how we overcome barriers between each other. She uses the story to make comments about social customs and how we deal with each other but her galaxy is not perfect. What makes the book such a success for me, however, is that her characters are very real and believable and so too are the situations that they find themselves in. The author has a message about inclusiveness and understanding but she gives us this by allowing us to spend time with her characters rather than by preaching – it is, therefore, the more effective, in my view.
I loved this quiet, gentle, uneventful book and am very sad that, to date, the author has chosen not to write any more stories set in this galaxy. I have very much enjoyed them all.
Anne Is Reading 