Reviews

Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang

tcatsninfan's review against another edition

I’ve been aware for years that Chiang has won many awards, and I saw Arrival a few years ago. I’m a big fan of scifi, so I decided to give this short story collection a try. 

Unfortunately, I gave up after the second story. The first story was incredibly boring and didn’t have a satisfying ending. The second story just felt annoying to read. 

One thing about the second story: it’s written in 1st person with the narrator explaining what’s happening to him. However, he seemingly dies at the end. Logically, he wouldn’t be able to tell the story to anyone later if he died. It just doesn’t make any sense.

After I finished the second story, I thought about how Chiang has won all these awards and felt like I “should” like his writing because of those. I felt like I should force myself to continue reading. 

Ultimately, though, everyone has their own taste and mine doesn’t include Chiang’s writing. Life is too short to read things we don’t enjoy, and it’s OK to have a different opinion from others. 

calliopereads's review against another edition

challenging mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

lalune's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

mikimeiko's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.75

I love Ted Chiang's voice, and I wish he didn't only write short stories because I would like the chance of staying in a world of his for a little longer. In the other hand though I found all the stories starting very strong, with compelling what ifs, but then kinda getting lost in the execution? Anyway I'll probably read more of his short stories in the future, especially more recent ones.

mauvenotebook's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring fast-paced

2.0

kdawn999's review against another edition

5.0

I came to this collection from loving the movie Arrival and after hearing a podcast interview of the author. Each story is mindbendingly insightful. I’m also not sure I’ve ever read contemporary sci fi set in Babylonian or Victorian times, where even science is reinvented. I’m also surprised by the Judeo-Christian, religious mindfulness in several stories here. Yep, I’m going to need to read everything Chiang writes.

gunslinger's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

froggymog's review against another edition

Will continue, only read first 2 short stories 

stevenrouk's review against another edition

5.0

Another incredible collection from Ted Chiang. It's honestly not very often that I come across completely new ideas or treatments of ideas, yet Ted Chiang has surprised, impressed, and provoked thought with practically every one of his pieces, in big ways and small. Ted Chiang has changed how I will see the world.

carli096's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0