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obnorthrup's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent collection. I was lukewarm to the headliner On the Origin of Species, but the followup story put it in a different light and made my appreciate the first story more. Lots to think about from all of these.
daughterofaphrodite's review against another edition
Didn’t mesh with the writing style
breenmachine's review against another edition
4.0
As I read, I made a list of which stories I enjoyed the most. When I got to the end I realized that my list was the entire book except 1 story. ha! (The only story I wasn't' a fan of was "Stars Shine in Earth's Sky.") The last story was more dark and violent than the rest.
I especially enjoyed "Scripter", "On the Origin of species", and "Last of the Wolves". I like that each story is from a different perspective - and it takes the story unfolding to figure out how whose perspective it is from.
I especially enjoyed "Scripter", "On the Origin of species", and "Last of the Wolves". I like that each story is from a different perspective - and it takes the story unfolding to figure out how whose perspective it is from.
finny's review
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
droar's review against another edition
5.0
Hands down some of the best short stories I've ever read. In each story Bo-Young takes a concept or perception and flips it over to examine it's underpinnings. While I enjoyed each story on it's own what I love most about the collection as a whole is the exploration of the line between living and not living paired with a question of dignity. Who and what deserve, for lack of a better term, human respect and where do we draw those lines? If nothing else I fully encourage each and every one of you to read the title story and it's follow-up. If I had been wearing socks they would have been most expertly blow off by the intensity of the pair. It's a bit slow to start rolling, but the momentum and tension they build to are astronomical. In short I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is very clear why Bo-Young has won so very many awards in Korea. I've picked up her other translated short story collection and am hoping to savor it while waiting, with great anticipation, for more of her works to come out in English.
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, I liked this one, but some of the stories need to be cut down for the LOVE.
einnymydog's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
elenavarg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Every single one of Kim’s short-stories gave me a lot to feel and to think about, but the two title stories (”On the Origin of Species” and ”On the Origin of Species— And What Might Have Happened Thereafter”) shook me to my core. I don’t know what is it about them, but the world Kim created in these stories is so meticulously thought through and well written, they left me in awe. The way all the relevant plot points and twists were so well foreshadowed, my heart dropped every single time. The collection deserves full five stars on these stories alone.
I can’t wait to read more of Kim’s work. Every short-story in this collection reminded me why I love to read (and write) speculative fiction. Although I thought the title stories were the best of the collection, ”An Evolutionary Tale” is the most unique and genre bending of them. This mix of folklore and scifi is exactly what I wish to convey in my own writing.
I can’t wait to read more of Kim’s work. Every short-story in this collection reminded me why I love to read (and write) speculative fiction. Although I thought the title stories were the best of the collection, ”An Evolutionary Tale” is the most unique and genre bending of them. This mix of folklore and scifi is exactly what I wish to convey in my own writing.