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To Be Taught, If Fortunate
- A Novella
- Narrated by: Patricia Rodriguez
- Length: 4 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
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Summary
In the future, instead of terraforming planets to sustain human life, explorers of the galaxy transform themselves.
From the Sunday Times best-selling author.
At the turn of the 22nd century, scientists make a breakthrough in human spaceflight. Through a revolutionary method known as somaforming, astronauts can survive in hostile environments off Earth using synthetic biological supplementations. They can produce antifreeze in sub-zero temperatures, absorb radiation and convert it for food and conveniently adjust to the pull of different gravitational forces. With the fragility of the body no longer a limiting factor, human beings are at last able to explore neighbouring exoplanets long suspected to harbour life.
Ariadne is one such explorer. On a mission to ecologically survey four habitable worlds 15 light-years from Earth, she and her fellow crewmates sleep while in transit and wake each time with different features. But as they shift through both form and time, life back on Earth has also changed. Faced with the possibility of returning to a planet that has forgotten those who have left, Ariadne begins to chronicle the wonders and dangers of her journey, in the hope that someone back home might still be listening.
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What listeners say about To Be Taught, If Fortunate
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Nikhita
- 18-12-20
Beautiful and Reflective
I wouldn't have wanted to finish the year with any other book. The narration was perfectly suited to the story, which in itself is a tale that feels close to home and so far away all at once. Its depictions of the complexities of life are told in a way that feels as easy as breathing, the visuals stitching together behind my eyes.
It was a deeply introspective journey listening to this audiobook and I'm sure I will revisit it again over the years.
3 people found this helpful
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- Richard
- 26-02-20
it's beautiful
i cannot point to a story that better captures the humility in the heart of the pioneer
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 25-09-19
A beautiful novella, full of humanity
A beautiful novella, full of humanity. Well read. Read the authors other books you won't regret it.
1 person found this helpful
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- Heather Trow
- 23-03-22
Neither here nor there...
This book was neither here nor there for me. It was good in its own right, but no where near what I'm used to from the author's other stories with such a different narrative style and tone. However, it's still a beautifully written book full of wonder, exploration, and discovery grounded in humanity and hope (which the author always does really well). But it was a little lacklustre and honestly dragged a little bit for me which was disappointing.
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- Hancartay
- 21-08-21
A great addtion
This isna great addition to the Wayfarer/Galactic Commons books. A little more insight into earths endeavours.
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- Lauren Bateman
- 13-02-21
Great
n this instalment Ariadne and her crewmates have left Earth to explore the solar system, and while they are collecting data and research and sending it back, it appears that back on Earth there have been dramatic changes.
I loved the brilliant writing of Becky Chambers, where you really feel for all the characters. I also found the mental health representation in this to be so moving, it felt like it had come straight out of my own experiences.
As with all Becky Chambers books, the relationships between the characters is so beautiful and pure that it feels like this was a memoir and not a fiction piece.
Looking forward to getting my hands on the next instalment.
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- Ellena
- 11-01-21
phenomenal
the audio quality of the narration was wonderful and I thoroughly finished this wanting more. I'd highly recommend it for any inquisitive minds!
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- Gavin Sheedy
- 30-07-20
Provoking in a good way.
Science fiction rooted firmly in what it is to be human, wondering about everything, reaching for the joy of new knowledge while having to deal with our frailties. And other things. Well worth listening to.
The narrator is, as she is in all of these tales, extraordinary.
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- Sam
- 04-07-20
boring
way too boring for me. I couldn't connect to the story or the characters at all even if the narrator was amazing. But I think it's a "it's not you it's me" situation. I know people love this book and if you do want to read it I highly recommend the audiobook mostly because the narrator is as good as she is.
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- Anonymous User
- 03-06-20
Brilliant listen
Becky Chambers is a fantastic author. This and the Wayfarer trilogy are brilliant reads. Her characters are well realised and rounded.
Patricia Rodriguez captures her story incredibly well. She is incredibly clear and is consistent the entire way through.
I heartily recommend this listen.
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- Nicola A.
- 03-03-22
Wonderful, intelligent and beautiful!
The writer is amazoing! the story is beautiful and intelligent. So interesting and with so much heart.
I'm going to search and read all her books! in love!