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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
In the fictional Chinese city of Yong'an, humans and beasts live side by side. The beasts mostly look like humans, but each has something that sets them apart – perhaps a serrated earlobe or a strange birthmark. The narrator went to college to study these strange beasts before dropping out to become a writer. Now, she writes stories about these strange beasts. Each chapter of this book features a different type of beast and her interactions with one or more of them, as well as with her former professor and his assistant.
This was a very unique and fascinating story! The tone of the story seemed kind of morose or existential, especially as the book went on. I would definitely recommend this book those who like quirky or different stories.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.
This was a very unique and fascinating story! The tone of the story seemed kind of morose or existential, especially as the book went on. I would definitely recommend this book those who like quirky or different stories.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.
This was...weird. But a good weird? I'm still trying to work out my feelings about it. My favorite parts were the sections at the end of each chapter which could completely upend your understanding of the beast you'd just read about. There was definitely some sort of overarching metaphor the author was aiming towards, but I have to confess I either didn't get it or it's just unclear. I would recommend being a reader who can handle an unreliable narrator as well as general ambiguity if you want to read this.
Just wasn't really the vibe I'm going for right now
Reading Yan Ge’s Strange Beasts of China takes place in the fictional Chinese city of Yong’an, where humans live alongside various species of “beasts” - creatures who mostly resemble humans, yet in each case, there are quite a few characteristics both inside and out that set them completely apart. One such human is the narrator, a writer who devotes every chapter to a separate beast. However, this is more than just a field guild made as a creative exercise. With each chapter, a grander story progresses, one that sweeps up both our narrator and those in her orbit.
Reading this felt like both a new experience, yet also a familiar one. The setting, the assorted beasts, and characters are of course all of the author's making. Yet the total work produced similar feelings to those I have had stirred up while reading Gabriel García Márquez or Italo Cavino, where fantastical elements all work together to intrigue the reader yet also to call forth a variety of themes. Now to be perfectly honest, it was hard to decipher exactly what deeper messages the book was trying to get at. While it felt like some beasts and their interactions with the characters were meant to touch upon modern-day urban living, others definitely felt more tied to present-day China, and I could practically feel them going over my head. Still, I enjoyed the challenge of trying to figure out the ideas underlying this unique magical realist setting and the various nearly-human creatures that lived amongst it.
Reading this felt like both a new experience, yet also a familiar one. The setting, the assorted beasts, and characters are of course all of the author's making. Yet the total work produced similar feelings to those I have had stirred up while reading Gabriel García Márquez or Italo Cavino, where fantastical elements all work together to intrigue the reader yet also to call forth a variety of themes. Now to be perfectly honest, it was hard to decipher exactly what deeper messages the book was trying to get at. While it felt like some beasts and their interactions with the characters were meant to touch upon modern-day urban living, others definitely felt more tied to present-day China, and I could practically feel them going over my head. Still, I enjoyed the challenge of trying to figure out the ideas underlying this unique magical realist setting and the various nearly-human creatures that lived amongst it.
Strange Beasts of China is a collection of stories about the fabled beasts of China. Some are popular beasts, known throughout the fictional Chinese city of Yong’an, while others are mere rumor, with very little known except their name. Throughout the stories, our narrator reaches out to her former cryptozoologist professor for guidance. He, in turn, sends his assistant to help her document certain beasts for her publisher - and her paycheck. During this investigation into the mysteries of the beasts living among them, the narrator learns more about her own identity, her professor, her parentage, and humanity itself.
The audiobook, narrated by Emily Woo Zeller, is beautifully done.
The audiobook, narrated by Emily Woo Zeller, is beautifully done.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really just jot the book for me. Didn't like the writing style/translation or any characters.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated