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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
i liked this a lot. was a little scared it would be incredibly twee after the first chapter, but once i knew where i stood, i found it very compelling reading. i like the clarity of the chapter structures, the way the beasts shift from one understanding to a better one, and then the ambiguity which resides in between, in the making of that discovery. i also like that although each chapter does function as a short story, there is a greater narrative – definitely that’s a part of what made it so easy to keep reading.
i recommend.
i recommend.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this was just mildly interesting from start to finish
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge explores the meaning of humanity through the eyes of an author writing stories of the beast who live alongside humans in Yong’an. As she documents their stories, she unveils a larger mystery. The translation falls short and it impacted my enjoyment of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Self harm, Blood, Death of parent, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
what does it mean to understand someone, or be understood?
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know if this book was intended to be an allegory for or social commentary on racist structures/racism and how different groups of people are treated differently, even though we're all the same 'beasts' but that is how I interpreted this story. I really liked how it had almost a science textbook feel at time when each different type of beast was described. It took a while to settle in with this book that I listened to on audio and I don't know how much was due to listening to it and how much was due to it being a translated book, but I thought it was an interesting read overall!
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Why does the narrator keep wailing? Why do the characters keep suddenly dying or committing suicide?
I have never hated a narrator more she’s always either drunk, sad, or angry. The characters do things sporadically and without any reason. The relationships are toxic and abusive, both verbally and physically(how is it okay to that rude to people?). The writing is choppy, things just happen really suddenly.
I have never hated a narrator more she’s always either drunk, sad, or angry. The characters do things sporadically and without any reason. The relationships are toxic and abusive, both verbally and physically(how is it okay to that rude to people?). The writing is choppy, things just happen really suddenly.