Stars, this series was so good.
Record of a Spaceborn Few is my favorite book of the series, although I did love them all. I cannot recommend them highly enough – but this third book was my favorite. The Wayfarer’s series presents the most humane version of a Universe in which humans have finally shuffled off their earthly coils and set sail for the Great Beyond. In books 1 and 2, the reasons for doing so are hinted at (climate crises, war, etc) and there is some mention of what it means to be Exodan out there in the Universe, among many different species. The third book in the series gives more details about the culture of those who built an enormous space fleet and left the Earth, and their understanding of what it means to be human after many generations in space. It’s riveting, and entertaining, and full of thought provoking conversations and questions without being preachy.
Record is the most human-focused of the four books. While you can jump into the stories at any time with little or no problem, I think there is some background about the universe as a whole that’s helpful to have when you’re reading each successive novel. For this one, it helps to know that when humans left the Earth, when they initially made contact with other sapient species they have sort of been seen by most other species as VERY behind, technologically and sometimes socially. Humans are relative newcomers to the Galactic Commons (GC) – the Universal government of the vast network in space. This book explores the concept of how we create, or recreate, a home, and find a way to relate to our roots as much as we find ways to explore an invite in new ideas. Humans aren’t the only species out there in this series who grapple with remaining true to their own origins and customs while they also explore new ideas. It’s more complicated for Exodans, who want to both honor their humanity while also eschewing some of the elements that they feel led to their downfall.
Exodan culture is rooted in strong social networks. The design of each of the space ships in the fleet reflects that – a series of interconnected pods connects homes and families with neighborhoods and larger zones, all of which allow people to feel present in space but most importantly in a community. Exodans value conservation of resources to a great degree – everything is used and used again, even bodies as they are returned to system to nourish the growth of other life. There is a promise made to everyone who enters their community that they will have a place to sleep, food to eat, and ways to contribute.
In Record, a Caretaker (much like an undertaker plus funeral director plus grief doula – someone who is present at a death and helps officiate each step in that process, from supporting the grieving to supporting the body as it transforms into new life) loves her work, but feels that there’s something missing. A young child who has grown up within the Fleet wonders if there’s something different out there for him – he feels restless, and more than a little frustrated that his species is viewed as needing so much help from other members of the GC. A Grounder (a human who has lived their life on a colony on another planet) wants to see what Exodan life might be about. And an elderly archivist supports cultural exchange. These are the surface stories, but within each there are so many opportunities for growth and change. Families figure out how to support one another, even as their wants and needs grow and change. I can’t do it justice, but it’s lovely and you should read it.
The Galaxy and the Ground Within is the conclusion to the series – it’s the book that focuses the most on alien culture, and also the idea of what it means to have / create / lose a home. This story is set on a planet that is essentially one big airport – just a place to stop over on the way to somewhere else, a place full of travelers. The main characters are all different alien species, which was a nice contrast to previous books that had very much included others but really focused on humans and their experience of the Universe. An accident keeps a variety of travelers routed to this port – what was intended to be a layover for a few travelers turns into an unexpected stay. The hosts are generous, curious people who do their best to make everyone feel welcome. Rituals hinted at in previous books are called back to and explored in more detail – and here, we get another chance to consider the value of tradition versus opening your culture to something new. Each character considers the elements of their culture or tradition that they most value, and also responds to the elements that they find difficult, for different reasons. The result is genuinely touching.
I’d love to keep exploring this world with Becky Chambers – but if this is the close, I’ll be happy with the time we had together. Until we meet again in the stars …
