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jelundberg's review
5.0
You know the feeling of discovering a great new band, one that's still small enough to be playing local clubs and seedy bars, but you can just tell from the quality of their music and the awesomeness of their sound that they're going to make it big someday, and that you were a superfan before they broke through? Reading this chapbook is like the literary equivalent of that experience.
I've been a fan of Stephanie Ye's writing for a few years now, mostly catching her short fiction in Quarterly Literary Review Singapore, but it wasn't until her work was collected that the cumulative impact of her facility with words was made blindingly evident. The Billion Shop, constructed as a collection of four linked short stories, showcases Ye's preoccupation with individual identity and the winding paths of lifelong friendships, often within the backdrop of transnational wanderlust. Taken individually, these stories exude a quiet power, but as a collection, one which I inhaled in the gulp of a single sitting, they cohere into something greater, and form a profound statement about belief, acceptance, and those small revelatory moments that reveal the numinous in earthly existence.
I've been a fan of Stephanie Ye's writing for a few years now, mostly catching her short fiction in Quarterly Literary Review Singapore, but it wasn't until her work was collected that the cumulative impact of her facility with words was made blindingly evident. The Billion Shop, constructed as a collection of four linked short stories, showcases Ye's preoccupation with individual identity and the winding paths of lifelong friendships, often within the backdrop of transnational wanderlust. Taken individually, these stories exude a quiet power, but as a collection, one which I inhaled in the gulp of a single sitting, they cohere into something greater, and form a profound statement about belief, acceptance, and those small revelatory moments that reveal the numinous in earthly existence.
namakurhea's review
3.0
A short story collection from #MathPaperPress. It feels like floating midair when you jump from one platform to another. It is the seconds before things change. It is the first big fat drops of rain before the deluge. I have not read much short stories but this collection is making me feel some type of way... and it's a good one.
ana_az_books's review
5.0
I bought this book during my vacation in Singapore because I wanted to read something local. What I got, though, was a glimpse of how internationally involved Singapore is. The stories span countries and cultures. I think my favorite of the four short stories is "The Billion Shop" but I like how all of the four were connected to each other.
jemmag's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
apollosmichioreads's review
3.0
The Billion Shop is a very short book (chapbook) consisting of four interconnected short stories. On the whole, the book does not seem to have a striking storyline, and the stories, though interconnected, don’t have any clear overarching theme. Yet, it is this lack of specificity that allows room for readers to think and ponder upon the meanings of the narrative.
Like the previous book I read, From the Belly of the Cat, which was edited by the same author Stephanie Ye, I am glad the stories here also display certain facets of the Singaporean society. The experience of reading local literature (aka SingLit) deepens the Singaporean identity within me and makes me appreciate Singapore and her idiosyncrasies more.
Even if the book, in my opinion, is too short to leave any impact, it is still a worthy offering.
3.5/5
Like the previous book I read, From the Belly of the Cat, which was edited by the same author Stephanie Ye, I am glad the stories here also display certain facets of the Singaporean society. The experience of reading local literature (aka SingLit) deepens the Singaporean identity within me and makes me appreciate Singapore and her idiosyncrasies more.
Even if the book, in my opinion, is too short to leave any impact, it is still a worthy offering.
3.5/5
naaytaashreads's review
3.0
Disclaimer: I receive a free copy of this book from Books Actually.
This feeling of cosmic and cruel injustice, that of all the random places in all the world to be from, you had to be from here. This place so tiny. Insignificant. Unsophisticated. Hot. Except when it rains."
I feel like this book brings back a sense of memory and familiarity.
Being Singapore, the things said, atmosphere, culture is so relatable and remind me of my childhood at times.
I understand it was short stories but I wish there was more stories of it for me to feel way more attached to the stories till the end. I love the nostalgic feeling and the story feels like it cuts my mood when it ended too fast.
The ending narrative gave me goosebumps though.
This feeling of cosmic and cruel injustice, that of all the random places in all the world to be from, you had to be from here. This place so tiny. Insignificant. Unsophisticated. Hot. Except when it rains."
I feel like this book brings back a sense of memory and familiarity.
Being Singapore, the things said, atmosphere, culture is so relatable and remind me of my childhood at times.
I understand it was short stories but I wish there was more stories of it for me to feel way more attached to the stories till the end. I love the nostalgic feeling and the story feels like it cuts my mood when it ended too fast.
The ending narrative gave me goosebumps though.
elaibrary's review
4.0
The intriguing description of the book made me purchase it, and I was pleasantly surprised as i began reading the first story. Even more so, when I realised all four stories were connected. Was delightful to travel from a character's story to the next, unpacking their friendships as well as how their outlook on life changed as they grew older. Personal favourite was The Billion Shop.
judithhuang's review
4.0
Deftly crafted, these four interlinked stories are a little window into middle class Singaporean JC and post JC life, its outward facing character and the tenuous connections between people when they leave school. Quite beautiful.
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