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fadingapple's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.5
4.5/5 stars
This was unexpected, refreshing, unique, impactful - in very few pages. At roughly 130 pages, this novella packs a powerful punch that will leave you feeling fully satisfied and yet thoughtful. This is a story you have to experience - my words or descriptions would be far insufficient.
I adore the concept of a scholar monk travelling to gather stories to add to the archives, and using that knowledge to survive situations that should not be survivable. Chih bridges the gap between Tigers and Humans, truth and falsehood, with a story - correcting the record for the archive and noting the inherent consequences of 'they who hold the power control the truth'. It's beautiful, elegant, and compelling - both the story itself and the observations of how our history, assumptions, and knowledge is shaped by the lens of our ancestors.
It's just so well done and extremely obvious that Vo knew the story she wanted to tell and had a passion for it; it takes a special kind of skill to write so much in so few words.
This was unexpected, refreshing, unique, impactful - in very few pages. At roughly 130 pages, this novella packs a powerful punch that will leave you feeling fully satisfied and yet thoughtful. This is a story you have to experience - my words or descriptions would be far insufficient.
I adore the concept of a scholar monk travelling to gather stories to add to the archives, and using that knowledge to survive situations that should not be survivable. Chih bridges the gap between Tigers and Humans, truth and falsehood, with a story - correcting the record for the archive and noting the inherent consequences of 'they who hold the power control the truth'. It's beautiful, elegant, and compelling - both the story itself and the observations of how our history, assumptions, and knowledge is shaped by the lens of our ancestors.
It's just so well done and extremely obvious that Vo knew the story she wanted to tell and had a passion for it; it takes a special kind of skill to write so much in so few words.
rainwombat's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
esseastri's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, this is my favorite one. I am such a sucker for story-telling-as-life-saving. And I love how confident Chih can be, even when terrified.
While I was a little sad this sequel did not continue the object-based stories of the first one, I find it deeply clever to have the story of Ho Ti Theo told twice, from very different perspectives--and to see where those perspectives line up and where they diverge. This book is a lovely little meditation on the mutation of stories depending on who is telling them, and what they are trying to say by telling them.
While I was a little sad this sequel did not continue the object-based stories of the first one, I find it deeply clever to have the story of Ho Ti Theo told twice, from very different perspectives--and to see where those perspectives line up and where they diverge. This book is a lovely little meditation on the mutation of stories depending on who is telling them, and what they are trying to say by telling them.
dreamer626's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? N/A
3.0
caeliniscreepy's review
4.75
“Why are we talking to tigers?”
“Because they’re talking to us.”
A foolish person told me this one wasn’t as good as the first. I missed the bird friend but I would’ve been worried about her.
“Because they’re talking to us.”
A foolish person told me this one wasn’t as good as the first. I missed the bird friend but I would’ve been worried about her.
greenleafbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This was absolutely magical! A story about stories: my favorite! This novella was a lot more tense than the previous one with the impending danger of the tigers looming over the storytelling. These novellas continue to explore the importance of storytelling and passing down tales throughout generations. Nghi Vo’s writing continues to be amazing and beautiful and the dialogue is witty and captivating. I’m soooo excited to read the next book in this series!!
zoilkn's review
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0