Elle (ellexamines)'s Reviews > The Galaxy, and the Ground Within

“‘But you're correct. Our species - no, forgive me, our cultures - aren't the same at all. Quelin fear outsiders because we use them as scapegoats for the things we fear about ourselves. We bar cultural exchange because change frightens us. Whereas your people…’
He looked at her. ‘You fear outsiders because they gave you no choice in the change they forced upon you.’”

After a technological disaster strikes on the planet Gora, a set of unlikely strangers are trapped at Five-Hop One-Stop under the care of Ouloo, the Laru owner, and Tupo, her child — Pei, an Aeluon cargo runner traveling from the dangerous Rosk border to see her lover Ashby; Roveg, an exiled Quelin artist looking to meet his children; and Speaker, an Akarak trader unexpectedly separated from her twin sister Tracker.

The Galaxy and the Ground Within is, fundamentally, a novel about cultural exchange, the complexities within it, and the value of finding connection across different communities. It is charming, kind, and partially due to its scope closely intwined with its five lead characters. Becky Chambers as always writes with a profound empathy towards her leads. This was not my favorite of this series – it’s probably the one that stands out to me the least – but it’s charming, and I absolutely adored Speaker.

I’ll miss this series. I guess I’ll need to move onto new Becky Chambers now.

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