Becky Chambers, a prominent voice in the “hopepunk” genre, explores alternative futures through stories that emphasize empathy and connection. Her latest novel, “As You Wake, Break the Shell,” is set on the planet Fortune, where a botanist and a pilot navigate a harsh environment marked by acid rain and volcanoes. Chambers discusses how the design of a planet’s ecosystem influences its civilization, affecting everything from food to culture. Her research into botany, particularly seeds, plays a significant role in the novel’s scientific foundation. Chambers’ work highlights the importance of understanding and adapting to one’s environment, offering a hopeful vision of the future through the lens of ordinary people caring for each other.
QUESTION: How might understanding and adapting to our environment shape the future of our own world?
Love blooms on a hostile colony world in As You Wake, Break the Shell
