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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
I think I would have loved this more had the translation been better.
I enjoyed the book's concept and the way it played with magical realism and sci-fi elements. I also enjoyed how the author crafted a larger narrative that spanned the short narratives of each individual short story. Everything tied together in a very satisfying way.
However, the awkward and stilted writing prevented me from truly appreciating what the author was trying to say. I had to read and reread passages just for a basic understanding of what was happening, which was incredibly frustrating. None of the prose felt natural or realistic, and I think a lot of the humor and wit of the writing was lost as well.
I'd definitely be interested in reading this author's English fiction. I'd love to read her writing without the interference of a translator
I enjoyed the book's concept and the way it played with magical realism and sci-fi elements. I also enjoyed how the author crafted a larger narrative that spanned the short narratives of each individual short story. Everything tied together in a very satisfying way.
However, the awkward and stilted writing prevented me from truly appreciating what the author was trying to say. I had to read and reread passages just for a basic understanding of what was happening, which was incredibly frustrating. None of the prose felt natural or realistic, and I think a lot of the humor and wit of the writing was lost as well.
I'd definitely be interested in reading this author's English fiction. I'd love to read her writing without the interference of a translator
The characters have confusing emotional responses. They bounce from happy to angry in the space of two sentences, then forget their anger and continue with the plot. Maybe the strange dialogue is because of the translation? But regardless, the bittersweet descriptions of the beasts and the final sentences of each chapter that explain them were brilliantly executed and worth the read.
I would have enjoyed this book had I understood the book's social commentary, interpersonal relationships, and romance when it frequently trashes romance stories better. The stories are also too first person and personal for me to enjoy it as macabre supernatural folklore. For my lack of understanding the switch from the personal to macabre gives me whiplash, rather than driving the point home.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-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:
Yes
An interesting world that seems to have been damaged a bit in translation, with a better first half than second.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
dark
sad
slow-paced
Strange Beasts of China tracks as my favorite imaginative fiction of this year! I’ve read some of Yan Ge’s short stories in Chinese and even after Jeremy Tiang’s translation (this being Yan Ge’s first novel in the states), her voice is not lost in translation and is a thoroughly enjoyable read overall.