#a record of the spaceborn few

[bigcats-birds-and-books]

THE WAYFARERS by Becky Chambers. This is one of my all-time fave go-to fluffy comfort series (with just enough heart crimes to keep things intense), and therefore is also my first ever Illumicrate order. I am Weak™ for painted edges.

[callmemanatee]

I've heard fans say there should be a movie adaptation of The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, but consider this instead: a YouTube channel with a series of "vlogs" where characters from the Wayfarers books talk about what they're up to these days.

It would be small-scale, personal, and sweet. Just like the books we've grown to love.

[koshercosplay]

one of the (many) things that resonated with me after reading the Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers (if you haven't read them yet, GO READ THEM) is Ouloo's opinion on the exhaustion of political activism vs taking the easy way out and letting others do the work for you.

she wants to live a quiet life, and she wants people to stop killing each other. that's the extent of her politics. she doesn't know the complexities of the political landscape of the galactic commons in which she lives, nor is she obligated to become an expert in it: fundamentally, she wants people to get along, and she wants to serve them cake, and she does her best to live her life in exactly those terms. when she's confronted with her own biases, she works doubly hard on herself to overcome them, because her existence is dominated by that one, very very simple thing: be kind to others. some of the other characters look down at her for it, saying it's naive, that the world can't be made better with cake, that if she really cared she'd do something more tangible about it.

but I think there's something really valuable in that mindset. I want to be kind to others, and I want others to get along. I don't have the answers to all of the political questions in our society. but also, I don't have to. not everyone is capable of being loud and angry. I go through so much anxiety and stress, worrying that I'm not doing enough, I'm not loud enough, I'm not doing my part to change the world we live in, what if I'm just being lazy?

sometimes living your own life gently and with kindness and interacting with others from a place of love is enough. we need both kinds of people in the world. and sometimes gentle people get loud, and sometimes loud people need gentleness.

not having all the answers all the time is okay. worrying is not activism. anxiety is not activism. you are allowed to take care of your body and mind.

[apple-byter]

Call me insane but the only romance I wanna read is the socially complex interspecies relationships in Wayfarers

[stardustdiver]

I FINISHED THE WAYFAIRER SERIES AND IT WAS IMPECCABLE, 10/10

it explores interspecies relationships on a professional level, personal level, and as a society in general. potential mild spoilers ahead but this is all what i liked about the series: (theres more too i dont wanna tldr the whole series)

environments not suited for certain species so accommodations made to make them feel more at ease

harmingans more suited to moist and not too harshly scented environments, use of mobility aids akin to electric wheelchair to not touch the ground (and equipped with mist machines for the moisture they need)

aeluons who primarily use colour to speak so specific aeuleon branded grey paint being used to paint buildings

varying types of grooming care and seating, sleeping arrangements for the different species like aandrisk, aeluon, laru

dives into the varying parental styles of each species, and doesnt devalue one type in preference for another

doesnt shy away from different species asking personal questions related to the species on how they operate, because they never get to experience their sensations

uses they/them/their for the sianat species that bonds with a hivemind host, so in turn uses xey/xem/xyr for neutral pronouns

the all non-human characters in the last book discussing the concept of cheese, and being equally disgusted by it

[a-mymble-that-mumbles]

I know that a Wayfarers fandom exists somewhere. SOMEWHERE.

AND I CANT FIND IT.

Hear me now

I will find you

I will join you

And I will never be seen again.

Thank you for your time.

*i know it exists but not as much as I want it to*

[chocolatethe100badger]

would u like to see a drawing of the species from the wayfarers series

[boyduroy]

Please do yourself a favor and go read the Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers, it is such amazing queer science fiction that explores themes of family, belonging, and Identity

[dan-reads]

Record of a Spaceborn Few

by Becky Chambers, (Wayfarers, #3)

Record of a Spaceborn Few, just like the first two of The Wayfarers series, has encapsulated humanity within its under 400 pages. The universe that this series takes place in feels pre-established, as if it existed before the first novel and will exist long after the last, and Becky Chambers in this series merely gives us snapshots of the lives of people in this world. In this third book in particular, we really do get a record of a space-born few, investigating the everyday life of a handful of characters with their own lives, who are flawed but perfect and unique but so similar. 

There is a specific connection to humanity that had me weeping in this novel that I can’t quite articulate without explaining some of the plot and providing a personal story.

Around halfway through the book, two of our protagonists meet: Sawyer and Eyas. Upon meeting, Eyas gives Sawyer some advice as he embarks on his new life aboard the homesteader ship that Eyas has lived and worked on her entire life. They part ways and the story progresses. Around two-thirds of the way through, Sawyer finally gets a job and sends Eyas a message thanking her for the advice. But this moment is bittersweet, as Sawyer dies while on this job. Around three-quarters of the way, Eyas, as this world’s version of a mortician, is set in charge of overseeing Sawyer’s funeral arrangements. But when Eyas sees Sawyer’s corpse, she instantly has a full physical and emotional reaction. In her profession, she regularly sees corpses of people she knew and didn’t know. This reaction is out of the ordinary for her. 

I read this moment and instantly wept. As Eyas circled what ifs in her mind, as she wept holding his belongings, I felt myself mourning with her. Though the two of them only spoke briefly, that momentary connection was enough to break down barriers and create something beautiful. That one meeting between them was enough to cause such immense grief and mourning, and Eyas couldn’t place why. This is one of the only moments in any book, series, movie, anything, that I have felt such a deep sense of humanity and such an understanding for the character.

A few years ago when I was in university, there was a networking session for my department, where students could meet faculty and researchers. I had the privilege to meet one of the post-doctoral fellows at this session and we hit it off. Though we only met the once, we chatted back and forth about sci-fi novels via email several times. When the conversations tapered off and nothing new had come up, there was a lull in our communications. A few months after this, they passed away suddenly. I wept and cried and repeatedly pondered “what if I had reached out again”, “what if we had more time to talk”, “what if…”. Though we only had that momentary connection, like Eyas and Sawyer, there was a level to that connection that went deeper than the surface. It dug its claws into the sheer fabric of our humanity and held on tighter than we could.

So when Eyas ran through her what ifs, when she broke down and cried over this person she met once, I was right there with her. Because of this bizarre quirk of humanity, we have the capacity to meet someone once and connect with them so purely that it lays us bare, all cards on the table. It is painful, and powerful and raw and unique and so so beautiful. It hurts like a bitch and I wouldn’t give it up for anything.

I hope you’re reading sci-fi in the afterlife, space cowboy 🤍

[shouts-into-the-void]

Jumping into Record of a Spaceborn Few today, super excited to see some characters outside of the little group from the previous installments.

[sterekbros]

It's me, Liam, your Wayfarer Fandom Ambassador for @fandomtrumpshate!

It's the time of the year again! It's time to come together to support progressive non-profits through Fandom Trumps Hate donations!

Sign up to become a creator for Fandom Trumps Hate on Feb 5th!

There were no offers in Becky Chamber's universes last year and we'd love to have some this year!

A little bit about Fandom Trumps Hate

FTH is an online fanworks auction, designed to raise money for progressive nonprofit organizations that help and support marginalized people. In the past seven years, thousands of fans have joined forces to raise nearly $240,000 for a range of progressive organizations.

So, what are you willing to offer? If you are an author, artist, beta, or provide other services within fandom, all are welcome!

Check out the list below for different types of fanworks and fan labor to get an idea of what you may like to sign up for.

You can offer any type of fanwork that can be delivered digitally, including:

written fanworks (fic, poetry, remixes, etc.)

digital art, which includes but is not limited to gifsets, manips, mood boards, etc.

podfics

fanvids (including fancams)

fan labor, which includes but is not limited to betaing, brit/japan/America-picking, or offering specialist expertise.

Need more info before signing up? You can find our FAQs here, schedule here, and a list of organizations we are supporting this year here.

[bigcats-birds-and-books]

THE WAYFARERS by Becky Chambers. Featuring the most beautiful edges I own!!

[twobluecows]

I’ve been reading Becky Chambers Wayfarers series and oh my god. I have not been able to stop thinking about Sawyer since finishing Record of a Spaceborn Few. Here’s how I imagined him <3 My dears he is the heart and soul of the book I love him

[solitarelee]

btw i cried for like 6h over Record of a Spaceborn Few that book is fucking ILLEGAL for school teachers oh my god. not the peer pressure!!!! not the horrifying consequences of peer pressure and the desire for family and community!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

really well done but yeah i cried so hard i almost threw up

[karin-gespenst]

What my favourite fictional characters teach me - open list part 6

Tessa Santoso:

Change can be a good thing

Talk to your family

Pick your fights with your kids and decide when it's importatnt that you decide what to do

Appriciate your friends

Be patient with teens, they'll get there

Choose your partner carefully

Feel your part in the link of generations

George Santoso:

treat your partner with great care: Make sure they know you are on their side

Don't stay away from your familiy for too long

Encourage your partner to be truthful

Eyas Perata:

Review your goals in life from time to time

Be kind to strangers

Build community

Cherish life and death as a circle

Learn to reach out to other people and be there for them, learn to find people who take care of you

Sunny:

Try out for different kinds of jobs

Befriend different kinds of people

Develop a good sense for boundaries

[sumiblue]

To have our intro to Sawyer feeling he was an outsider hearing the Exodan Litany for the Dead, yet feeling it would be a nice thing to be part of...then to be very much part of it...with Exodans...naming his homesteader...fuck