A Psalm for the Wild-Built

By- Becky Chambers

    I found this book while reading articles about books about robots, not a particular interest of mine but these books stood out to me. I was not going to go out of my way to read it but I thought if it was at the library I would check it out, and I was not disappointed. 

    The story is based on the future, humanity built robots as the main labor force and nearly destroyed the earth. Robots become self aware and humanity recognizes this. Instead of enslaving the robots to continue their work they asked them what they would like to do with their lives . The robots choose to leave humanity and live in the wild and humanity was to not contact them unless they first initiated contact. Jump a long time forward in time and the world has changed. Robots are a distant memory and humanity has changed. Our main character, Dex, is a monk that is unhappy with their life and looking for a change. They decide to become a tea monk traveling from town to town on their unique vehicle that is a combination of a bicycle and wagon with their enclosed living space in the wagon. They are not prepared but excited over the change in scenery and purpose. Along the way he encounters a robot named Mosscap, together they learn about each other and travel. 

    This was a fantastic book, I was pleasantly surprised by the plot as well as the underlying philosophical topics and ideas. The two main characters both have deep conversations that will have readers possibly examining ideas from their own lives. I highly recommend this book especially for those looking for a book to challenge themselves personally and philosophically.