Scan barcode
k_aro's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
A really, really good book that I also am kind of uncomfortable in reading. The book is, I guess inevitably, about Chinese history, tracing all kinds of past atrocities and conflicts, all of which is marred by the decay of history, the anti-Communist and Sinophobic world we currently live in, as well as complications around how we should talk about all of these things. These stories have also all been written at various points in Liu's life, which may or may not change how we can read them/where his feelings have changed.
A lot of really imaginative sci-fi concepts; I especially love the first short story, which follows in the Invisible Cities tradition of a society/universe? sketched out by its constituents, by its minor details. It's really magical and a great introduction to the series. I'm not really sure what to make of "The Regular"; it does feel a little like the conclusion is that cops should shoot people faster when they feel justified, but a lot more of the story is bound up in both the stresses that policing introduces on police as well as the biases that exist even in an "objective" world. I also felt a little weird about "Simulacrum", mostly because of my own contested feelings around fatherhood.
There were a lot of stories that I think are stereotypically "diasporic"; I also cried 3-4 times while reading this book, which has to count for something.
A lot of really imaginative sci-fi concepts; I especially love the first short story, which follows in the Invisible Cities tradition of a society/universe? sketched out by its constituents, by its minor details. It's really magical and a great introduction to the series. I'm not really sure what to make of "The Regular"; it does feel a little like the conclusion is that cops should shoot people faster when they feel justified, but a lot more of the story is bound up in both the stresses that policing introduces on police as well as the biases that exist even in an "objective" world. I also felt a little weird about "Simulacrum", mostly because of my own contested feelings around fatherhood.
There were a lot of stories that I think are stereotypically "diasporic"; I also cried 3-4 times while reading this book, which has to count for something.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Child abuse, Medical content, Rape, Blood, Confinement, Death, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Death of parent, Racism, Xenophobia, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, Sexual assault, Torture, Trafficking, War, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Gun violence, Sexual content, Colonisation, Animal death, and Kidnapping
Minor: Dementia and Addiction
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Body horror, Racism, Xenophobia, War, Gun violence, Gore, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Grief
Moderate: Genocide, Animal death, Slavery, Bullying, Racial slurs, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Child death
Minor: Infidelity, Excrement, Sexual content, Alcohol, Cancer, and Suicide
Surveillance ("The Perfect Match"). Eye trauma/gore, violence against sex workers ("The Regular").safiewafie's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Rape, Body horror, Child death, Racism, Sexual violence, Abortion, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Animal death, and War
Moderate: Trafficking and Suicide
niakantorka's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was a marvellous compilation of short stories and novellas. Contrary to what one might expect these aren’t all science fiction stories. There are also some fantastical AUs and some stories about historical events.
Ken Liu has a wonderful way of creating characters and settings that seem either intriguing and alien or safe and warm and in both ways make the reader about humanity. Be aware that in the ‘cosy’ settings humans tend not to stay like that. Better be prepared for each story to take a turn into the darker aspects of humanity.
I loved this way of storytelling but I had to take my time to digest each of them afterwards. It’s been a few days since I read the last and weeks since the first story and I’m still ruminating over them. That’s definitely a sign of a great and touching writing style.
I’ve taken some notes while reading so here’s my verdict on each story separately:
The Bookmaking Habits of Selected Species
Great first story. Very alien and yet super relatable that every species wants to preserve their essence or messages over time with books. The way books took shape here were mesmerising. While reading I thought that Ken Liu’s brain must be an interesting one to be preserved too. Lol, this sounds way creepier than it is meant to be.
4.75 stars
State Change
The idea behind this story that peoples’ souls manifest in every day things that can get damaged, lost, or simply used up was amazing. The soul of our MC was definitely challenging to preserve and how she did it made me laugh at times (even though it wasn’t a laughable matter for her). The ending was surprising and I loved that too. Definitely a unique story.
5 stars
The Perfect Match
Creepy surveillance story and - with regard to social media and in our cases increasing state surveillance - very believable. I hope we’ll never end up in a world like this. It gave me the shudders with how well it was done. The ending felt so true and yet I wished for another one.
4.75 stars
Good Hunting
Absolutely fascinating Alternative Universe in a world where magic was dying and a steam punk industrialisation was rising. The MC and his female friend meet over time and that how their dynamic changes was really something. I loved how they made the best of even the ugliest things happening to them and had each other’s backs.
4.5 stars
The Literomancer
This one broke me a bit. Together with the last story of the book it was the toughest to read. That real people suffered like this only made it worse in my head. The way Mr. Lán and Teddy had brought magic and warmth to Lilly’s life was so wonderful to see and then it went all to hell. My heart bled for those three people, especially for Lilly who was once again so lonely in the end.
4.5 stars
Simulacrum
This was a weaker story to me. The idea of memories brought back to life from advanced imaging techniques to be played how often one wanted was good. Yet I could neither connect with the father/inventor whom I found to be too laissez-faire nor with the daughter who definitely wanted to see the worst in her father.
3.75 stars
The Regular
This one was my favourite story of the whole book. It had this Blade Runner-esque setting I found utterly fascinating. It had also an intriguing cat-and-mouse game between a killer and a female detective who had been a cop once. We got both povs and that was a perfect contradiction of world views, goals, and empathy (or lack there of). Really, I wish I could give this story more stars.
5 stars
The Paper Menagerie
The title story was surprisingly short. I loved how magical the paper animals were and nearly cried over the brave old tiger. It was a touching story, especially when the reader realised how much the MC forgot about his Chinese heritage and how the will to do so of him as a child hurt the mother. Honestly, I wanted to hug that woman quite badly. At least there’s Qingming each year.
4.75 stars
An Advanced Readers’ Picture Book of Comparative Cognition
This story had some compelling lore in it brought to us in a mixture of fairytale and history book. It took me a while to realise that those stories in the story stood for some scientific concepts which was clever and well done. It was also a story about family and that sometimes having family isn’t enough to give up your dreams. Sadly, I couldn’t connect that well with the narrator because they seemed quite manipulative to me.
4.25 stars
The Waves
This one had such an amazing concept. How people evolved bodily before they went for evolving the mind and how they come full circle with it in the end. Admittedly, it’s advantageous if you have an inkling of Chinese mythology to admire the circle more. I also loved the sci-fi concepts we got to see here and would have easily read more about them.
5 stars
Mono no aware
That was a surprising sci-fi story because it didn’t seem like one at the start. The flashbacks were my favourite parts. It’s got sort of a sad ending, but in comparison with other stories in this book it wasn’t too bad. I loved the epic proportions of it.
4.5 stars
All the Flavours
Loved this one. Both historical topics were super interesting and so well woven together. I loved the mix and clash of cultures and how well it worked here. The newer story has an open ending and I imagine it went well for Logan/Lao Guan and for Lily.
5 stars
A Brief History of the Trans-Pacific-Tunnel
One of the two weaker stories for me. The MC couldn’t grip me like in other stories and even though I found the idea of the idea of this Alternative Universe compelling its execution didn’t touch me that much. I did like that the MC finally tried to do something about his guilty conscience.
3.75 stars
The Litigation Master and the Monkey King
In this story the sadness sneaked up on me because the dialogue between the more or less crazy litigation master and the Chinese Monkey King was good fun. I loved that they both didn’t take life too seriously until the story took a turn and became one about courage and making difficult choices. Our master took the chance, it didn’t end well, and yet it was the right choice to make. The story makes you ask yourself: Would I be able to make this difficult choice too?
4.75 stars
The Man Who Ended History: A Documentary
This was the toughest one to read. I’ve you have ever heard of Unit 731 or of Japanese war crimes in WW2 you know what you’re in for and that most of the warnings regard this particular novella. It was so well done too. Behind the disguise of a documentary we got many different aspects and povs to see. That coerced the reader into creating their own opinion about war crimes and how and when they should be punished. It was not an easy read with quite a few punches and yet I loved it.
5 stars
Ken Liu has a wonderful way of creating characters and settings that seem either intriguing and alien or safe and warm and in both ways make the reader about humanity. Be aware that in the ‘cosy’ settings humans tend not to stay like that. Better be prepared for each story to take a turn into the darker aspects of humanity.
I loved this way of storytelling but I had to take my time to digest each of them afterwards. It’s been a few days since I read the last and weeks since the first story and I’m still ruminating over them. That’s definitely a sign of a great and touching writing style.
I’ve taken some notes while reading so here’s my verdict on each story separately:
The Bookmaking Habits of Selected Species
Great first story. Very alien and yet super relatable that every species wants to preserve their essence or messages over time with books. The way books took shape here were mesmerising. While reading I thought that Ken Liu’s brain must be an interesting one to be preserved too. Lol, this sounds way creepier than it is meant to be.
4.75 stars
State Change
The idea behind this story that peoples’ souls manifest in every day things that can get damaged, lost, or simply used up was amazing. The soul of our MC was definitely challenging to preserve and how she did it made me laugh at times (even though it wasn’t a laughable matter for her). The ending was surprising and I loved that too. Definitely a unique story.
5 stars
The Perfect Match
Creepy surveillance story and - with regard to social media and in our cases increasing state surveillance - very believable. I hope we’ll never end up in a world like this. It gave me the shudders with how well it was done. The ending felt so true and yet I wished for another one.
4.75 stars
Good Hunting
Absolutely fascinating Alternative Universe in a world where magic was dying and a steam punk industrialisation was rising. The MC and his female friend meet over time and that how their dynamic changes was really something. I loved how they made the best of even the ugliest things happening to them and had each other’s backs.
4.5 stars
The Literomancer
This one broke me a bit. Together with the last story of the book it was the toughest to read. That real people suffered like this only made it worse in my head. The way Mr. Lán and Teddy had brought magic and warmth to Lilly’s life was so wonderful to see and then it went all to hell. My heart bled for those three people, especially for Lilly who was once again so lonely in the end.
4.5 stars
Simulacrum
This was a weaker story to me. The idea of memories brought back to life from advanced imaging techniques to be played how often one wanted was good. Yet I could neither connect with the father/inventor whom I found to be too laissez-faire nor with the daughter who definitely wanted to see the worst in her father.
3.75 stars
The Regular
This one was my favourite story of the whole book. It had this Blade Runner-esque setting I found utterly fascinating. It had also an intriguing cat-and-mouse game between a killer and a female detective who had been a cop once. We got both povs and that was a perfect contradiction of world views, goals, and empathy (or lack there of). Really, I wish I could give this story more stars.
5 stars
The Paper Menagerie
The title story was surprisingly short. I loved how magical the paper animals were and nearly cried over the brave old tiger. It was a touching story, especially when the reader realised how much the MC forgot about his Chinese heritage and how the will to do so of him as a child hurt the mother. Honestly, I wanted to hug that woman quite badly. At least there’s Qingming each year.
4.75 stars
An Advanced Readers’ Picture Book of Comparative Cognition
This story had some compelling lore in it brought to us in a mixture of fairytale and history book. It took me a while to realise that those stories in the story stood for some scientific concepts which was clever and well done. It was also a story about family and that sometimes having family isn’t enough to give up your dreams. Sadly, I couldn’t connect that well with the narrator because they seemed quite manipulative to me.
4.25 stars
The Waves
This one had such an amazing concept. How people evolved bodily before they went for evolving the mind and how they come full circle with it in the end. Admittedly, it’s advantageous if you have an inkling of Chinese mythology to admire the circle more. I also loved the sci-fi concepts we got to see here and would have easily read more about them.
5 stars
Mono no aware
That was a surprising sci-fi story because it didn’t seem like one at the start. The flashbacks were my favourite parts. It’s got sort of a sad ending, but in comparison with other stories in this book it wasn’t too bad. I loved the epic proportions of it.
4.5 stars
All the Flavours
Loved this one. Both historical topics were super interesting and so well woven together. I loved the mix and clash of cultures and how well it worked here. The newer story has an open ending and I imagine it went well for Logan/Lao Guan and for Lily.
5 stars
A Brief History of the Trans-Pacific-Tunnel
One of the two weaker stories for me. The MC couldn’t grip me like in other stories and even though I found the idea of the idea of this Alternative Universe compelling its execution didn’t touch me that much. I did like that the MC finally tried to do something about his guilty conscience.
3.75 stars
The Litigation Master and the Monkey King
In this story the sadness sneaked up on me because the dialogue between the more or less crazy litigation master and the Chinese Monkey King was good fun. I loved that they both didn’t take life too seriously until the story took a turn and became one about courage and making difficult choices. Our master took the chance, it didn’t end well, and yet it was the right choice to make. The story makes you ask yourself: Would I be able to make this difficult choice too?
4.75 stars
The Man Who Ended History: A Documentary
This was the toughest one to read. I’ve you have ever heard of Unit 731 or of Japanese war crimes in WW2 you know what you’re in for and that most of the warnings regard this particular novella. It was so well done too. Behind the disguise of a documentary we got many different aspects and povs to see. That coerced the reader into creating their own opinion about war crimes and how and when they should be punished. It was not an easy read with quite a few punches and yet I loved it.
5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Colonisation, Medical trauma, Death, Body horror, Genocide, Xenophobia, Racism, and War
atalea's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, Body horror, Violence, Blood, Rape, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Racial slurs, Genocide, Forced institutionalization, and Medical content
Moderate: Alcohol and Gaslighting
Minor: Child death, Suicide, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Animal death, and War
story_goblin's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Many of these stories were very intriguing! He reminds me of a slightly more modern (technology has evolved FAST) Ted Chaing. Liu definitely does not shy away from the horror aspects where appropriate. (I could not read the last story personally.) I still really liked it overall, though. I never thought I’d find another writer like Ted Chaing- such wonderful use of language mixed with such a deep understanding of technology and its varied impact.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Medical trauma, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Racism, War, and Child death
matcha_pages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ken Liu is an incredible story teller, he has a way with words, wit, and feelings. He's able to build these creative worlds with developed characters and flourishes of emotion and hope in short stories. (Which speaks strongly to his skills as an author, especially considering some popular books of 600+ pages that are mostly filler.)
This collection covers various topics and spans different genres. There's a good mix of space, sci-fi, fantasy, magical realism, and speculative fiction. The Paper Menagerie was my favorite and struck me to the core. As a first generation kid growing up in a community where barely anyone looked like me I related to the kid so much. But now as an adult, I can see how the sons actions of self preservation impacted his mother and his future self. I had to put the book down and call my mom!
I also enjoyed Mono no Aware, Simulacrum, and Good Hunting.
This collection covers various topics and spans different genres. There's a good mix of space, sci-fi, fantasy, magical realism, and speculative fiction. The Paper Menagerie was my favorite and struck me to the core. As a first generation kid growing up in a community where barely anyone looked like me I related to the kid so much. But now as an adult, I can see how the sons actions of self preservation impacted his mother and his future self. I had to put the book down and call my mom!
I also enjoyed Mono no Aware, Simulacrum, and Good Hunting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Torture, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent and Rape
mrhumpage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Rape, and Death
lbribiescas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, War, Rape, Xenophobia, and Violence
clarehiyama's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I love speculative fiction short stories, and this was a really great collection. Very creative but grounded, it was mostly low fantasy/soft sci-fi set in a fictional version of our world (with a couple fun exceptions of evolutionary sci-fi where Liu describes the cultures and physiology of alien species). I appreciated Liu’s expertise/apparently very detailed research on both history and science/technology. Any tech/science seems very realistic (to my non-expert mind, at least), and I really appreciated his explorations of the mark our histories, both personal and collective, make on the present. I also learned some really important history of my own heritage, which was about Imperial Japan’s Unit 731, which tortured and experimented on their imperial subjects in China during WWII, and whose scientists were not punished by the US/Allies because they wanted the use of their research. It’s a shameful and disgusting chapter of history, but written about really thoughtfully and creatively by Liu, who brings to life imagined debates about what it would mean to go back in time to be able to witness historic tragedies. Interesting ethical and philosophical questions (and definitely the only story with serious need for content warnings— it’s quite graphic). Anyway, I loved this book and will be reading more of his work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Slavery, Rape, Torture, Sexual violence, and War