A Psalm for the Wild-Built

Did You Know?

• The audiobook, 4 hours long, is narrated by Emmett Grosland.
• The novella was published by the Tom Doherty Associates division of Macmillan Publishers.
• The story depicts rewilding and themes of therapy, satisfaction, and finding purpose.

Background

In 2018, Tor Books commissioned Becky Chambers to write a two-book novella series in the solarpunk genre for its Tor.com Publishing imprint. Chambers, then 36 and living in northern California, had previously written the Wayfarers series, whose fourth novel was published earlier in 2021. She continued that series while working on these novellas.

Synopsis

On the habitable moon Panga, robots left human society centuries ago, prompting humans to adopt a sustainable solarpunk lifestyle. Dex, a non-binary tea-serving monk, travels between communities custom-blending tea and encouraging confidences. Seeking change, Dex ventures into the wilderness and encounters a robot named Splendid Speckled Mosscap. Together they journey to an abandoned monastery, both seeking to answer the question: 'What do people need?'

Reception

Critics described the novella as a feel-good, joyful experience, with Jacob Aron of New Scientist noting it left a warm, fuzzy feeling. Publishers Weekly praised Chambers's characteristic nuance and careful thought, calling the work a cozy meditation on consciousness. Amal El-Mohtar found some moments jarring due to familiar issues like social media clashing with the story's world of generosity, but still praised its hopeful tone.