In the future instead of terraforming planets to sustain human life explorers of galaxy
transform themselves. At the turn of the twenty-second century scientists make a breakthrough
in human spaceflight. Through a revolutionary method known as somaforming astronauts can
survive in hostile environments off Earth using synthetic biological supplementations. They can
produce antifreeze in sub-zero temperatures absorb radiation and convert it for food and
conveniently adjust to the pull of different gravitational forces. With the fragility of the
body no longer a limiting factor human beings are at last able to explore neighbouring
exoplanets long suspected to harbour life. Ariadne is one such explorer. On a mission to
ecologically survey four habitable worlds fifteen light-years from Earth she and her fellow
crewmates sleep while in transit and wake each time with different features. But as they shift
through both form and time life back on Earth has also changed. Faced with the possibility of
returning to a planet that has forgotten those who have left Ariadne begins to chronicle the
wonders and dangers of her journey in the hope that someone back home might still be
listening. 'Becky Chambers takes space opera in a whole new and unexpected direction her books
bring me so much joy' Ben Aaronovitch author of Rivers of London 'Some of the most
forward-thinking inspiring science fiction out there' Claire North author of The First
Fifteen Lives of Harry August Becky Chambers is the author of the Wayfarers books which
currently include The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet A Closed and Common Orbit and Record
of a Spaceborn Few. To Be Taught If Fortunate is her first stadalone work. Her books have been
nominated for the Hugo Award the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the Bailey's Women's Prize for
Fiction among others and won the Prix Julia Verlanger in 2017. She grew up in a family
heavily involved in space science and hopes to see Earth from orbit one day.
