A Psalm for the Wild-Built

Locations
Call Number: Science Fiction / Chambers, Becky, Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Chambers, Becky
On Shelf At: Downtown Library, Traverwood Branch, Westgate Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Science Fiction / Chambers, Becky	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Science Fiction / Chambers, Becky	4-week checkout	Reshelving
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Science Fiction / Chambers, Becky	4-week checkout	On Hold Shelf
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Science Fiction / Chambers, Becky	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Science Fiction / Chambers, Becky	4-week checkout	Due 12-12-2025
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Science Fiction / Chambers, Becky	4-week checkout	Due 12-08-2025
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Chambers, Becky	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Chambers, Becky	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Chambers, Becky	4-week checkout	Due 12-12-2025
Malletts Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Chambers, Becky	4-week checkout	Due 11-26-2025
Pittsfield Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Science Fiction / General / Chambers, Becky	4-week checkout	Due 12-11-2025

"In A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Hugo Award-winner Becky Chambers's delightful new Monk & Robot series gives us hope for the future. 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. Becky Chambers's new series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?"-- Provided by publisher.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Library Journal Review
Booklist Review
Publishers Weekly Review
Summary / Annotation
Fiction Profile
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Gentle sci fi submitted by severian on July 23, 2021, 11:58am Like other Becky Chambers books, the pleasure here is in its slow, gentle pace, packed with lots of interesting world building and conversation. A balm for the sci fi loving soul!

A warm hug of a book. submitted by Jinxyluis on June 10, 2022, 11:39am So good in all the usual Becky Chambers ways, I loved coming alongside the first conversations between a human and a sentient AI in the 200 years since their split, how they related to each other and learned about each other's cultures.

Happy scifi submitted by rachelmcglash on June 10, 2022, 3:30pm I absolutely lover this book and cannot wait for the next in the series. A tea monk sets out to find what is missing in their life and stumbles upon an unexpected friend and "reason" for life.

a mixed bag submitted by nemiller on June 27, 2022, 8:02pm Things I liked about this book:
- a queer protagonist, without focusing on homophobia and/or The Coming Out Story.
- the humor
- the message that it's ok to want a simple life, and that it's ok to not always be ok
- solarpunk

Things I did not love:
- a pretty clear metaphor for slavery, even if it is a sanitized version, and the main message for that is "oh it was a few generations ago, don't feel bad, we don't even think about it anymore". (I feel like this is a theme in Chambers's books.)

Absolutely delightful. submitted by apknapp on June 12, 2023, 7:16pm I feel like I just reached the bottom of the warmest, tastiest, most comforting cup of tea I've ever had in my life. Perfect for fans of the Penric and Desdemona series, or the Goblin Emperor, or T Kingfisher.

Cozy Sci-fi submitted by sarajowaycee on July 19, 2023, 11:39am Look no further for a cozy sci-fi. One of the most soothing and lovely books I’ve read in a long time!

Sweet, light sci-fi submitted by rowerdani13 on August 6, 2023, 9:12am This is a short and sweet read - I was able to finish it within a few hours. It's enough sci-fi to feel like it fits in the genre, but it's light enough that someone who doesn't like sci-fi but does like cozy, thoughtful fiction might enjoy it too. Definitely made me ponder the meaning of happiness and finding what's meaningful to oneself. Also a great way to introduce folks to nonbinary characters and pronouns! Great read, would recommend to many.

Low-stakes sci-fi submitted by NoelleSci on June 18, 2024, 3:01pm Love this book and its sequel, I want to go on a restorative road trip with Sibling Dex and Mosscap!

A happy little book submitted by jrhull1 on June 27, 2024, 9:51am This book is an excellent change of pace for sci-fi lovers. Short and sweet, with an engaging and joyful story.

Looking forward to the next installment submitted by Cherie on July 4, 2024, 6:57am A fascinating story set in the future on a different planet. In this future robots develop sentience, and as a result, humanity reverts to a lifestyle pre-robots in order to respect the new lifeforms. The robots go off into the deep woods to live their lives, but promise to return one day to check up on humanity.

Enter the monk who, while experiencing an intense feeling of identity crisis and wanderlust, decides on a whim to change careers from gardening to tea. The majority of this book talks about the monk's path to becoming a tea monk, and how they become the best in their region. At some point, the monk, once again, finds themself with an intense feeling of wanderlust and identity crisis. So on a whim, they set out on a journey to a remote monastary in hopes that they will find a way to feel fulfilled. On the way, they come across one of the sentient robots who's duty it is to check up on humanity and find out what humans need. The rest of the book talks of their journey to the monastary and how they get to know each other and become friends.

I would call this novella a cosy read, and extremely relatable - especially as the main character describes their feelings of feeling unfulfilled in life even as they seem to be doing extremely well. The main character is also non-binary, so it's a good read for anyone looking for LGBTQ+ positive literature.

Gorgeous submitted by jaybroy on July 6, 2024, 12:04am I just started this but it is beautiful and I have been unable to put it down!

Short and sweet submitted by jonnwhite on July 28, 2024, 8:25am Lovely book about a human reconnecting with a robot amidst the wilderness and learning more about themselves in conversation

Thought-provoking and hopeful submitted by 21621031390949 on August 19, 2024, 7:30pm Interesting little book. This story of two unlike beings - a robot and a human - coming together and creating an equal relationship, is thought-provoking and engaging in a very accessible way. I like that it’s set in a post-climate crisis society that has seen the error of its ways and survived. I like that it’s LGBTQIA+-friendly, though the neutral pronouns (they/them) were confusing once there were two characters acting together. [We have to bring into use a different set of singular neutral pronouns!] I like that the book isn’t unnecessarily long!

Sweet and thoughtful submitted by nelsonr on August 20, 2024, 3:25pm This is a beautiful short book with a very well-crafted world.

What a vibe submitted by kaitennes on June 11, 2025, 10:06am This book made me question my life and motivate me to change

Magical submitted by Susan4Pax -prev. sueij- on June 16, 2025, 11:56am This was short and sweet, unexpected and delightful, thought-provoking and challenging. Chambers uses beautiful language and imagery to ask wonderful questions in an unusual setting, and the result is simply magical. Definitely a top book for this year.

my soul finds ease submitted by suttonp on June 23, 2025, 11:40am there are very few fiction books for me that make me feel healed in some way. this was one such book. highly recommend

Delightful submitted by VeraSchwankl on June 23, 2025, 4:36pm A sci-fi hug in a book. Gentle and beautiful. Definitely request the next book right away as the two books are really a part one and part two of one delightful story.

If you want quiet and peaceful joy, this is it submitted by lballard on June 28, 2025, 11:06pm Imagine a world where people chose to do what is right. Imagine that they also prioritize what matters. Open this book and live there for a while.
Oh yes, and tea, and a wonderful robot.

Twee submitted by meljd on July 3, 2025, 11:02pm The images are beautiful, but the story is so unbelievably twee.

Gentle and Heartwarming submitted by IsabellaRose on July 10, 2025, 12:49am This is the perfect book for when you’re lacking in optimism and need a pick me up.

a sweet and gentle read submitted by ajanney on July 22, 2025, 8:24am This book is not a page turner. It is a sweet, gentle and beautiful read. Do recommend.

A beautiful look at the meaning of life submitted by nikrowan on July 22, 2025, 6:37pm This is such a cozy read. Spend some time with a Tea monk who is exploring their purpose in the world while getting to know a new friend.

One of my newest favorite authors submitted by lissaspitz on August 20, 2025, 12:50pm I loved everything about this book. If I had to sum it up, I’d say especially the way she presents a future in which humans have finally figured out how to live in harmony with the rest of the natural world. And it’s so matter of fact, just telling a great story of friendship in this incredible world. I want to live there, so bad!