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naro173's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
3.5
danielles_reads's review
- 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? No
4.0
I'm always interested in reading more translated speculative fiction, and I found this one by Googling just that. This is a really short novella that is reminiscent of Ursula K. Le Guin (which I belive the author has said she is inspired by), with a focus on anthropological exploration of alien culture and themes over any real plot or character development.
I really liked the format of a linguist looking back, especially since this is essentially a mixed media story with interviews, journal entries, and scientific reports. It really made the world come alive and feel real. I've always found linguistics very interesting myself, so it was cool to see the technical details of alien languages described and analyzed, like how they talk about colors and emotions, and how things are pronounced. I liked seeing the comparisons between Terran languages, the Aanukien language, the Fihdia's Imu language, and the Fihdia's Gutia language. It was also interesting to see how each respective culture's lifestyle affected their languages, like the Aanukiens' nomadic culture and the Fihdia's blindness and focus on their divinity.
The discussion of the Fihdia's blindness seemed a bit simplistic and judgmental at first, but it eventually became more well-rounded and positive. I do wish it had been expanded on a little bit though. From what I can tell, the author herself has self-described "low vision," and this may have been an OwnVoices kind of story. This book was originally written in the 2000s and was updated in 2018, so I wonder if that part of the story was changed at all. I hope I can improve my Spanish enough to read the updated work since it hasn't been translated into English.
My main complaint is—as expected—that this was just too short! I really wanted more. More reflections from Rachel, more with Rachel and the Fihdians, more with the Aanukiens and Fihdians possibly reconciling, and especially more with Rachel's son since the book ended on a very bittersweet notewith her and her son Narsak (and his children!) trying to raise enough money to visit Aanuk.
I really liked the format of a linguist looking back, especially since this is essentially a mixed media story with interviews, journal entries, and scientific reports. It really made the world come alive and feel real. I've always found linguistics very interesting myself, so it was cool to see the technical details of alien languages described and analyzed, like how they talk about colors and emotions, and how things are pronounced. I liked seeing the comparisons between Terran languages, the Aanukien language, the Fihdia's Imu language, and the Fihdia's Gutia language. It was also interesting to see how each respective culture's lifestyle affected their languages, like the Aanukiens' nomadic culture and the Fihdia's blindness and focus on their divinity.
The discussion of the Fihdia's blindness seemed a bit simplistic and judgmental at first, but it eventually became more well-rounded and positive. I do wish it had been expanded on a little bit though. From what I can tell, the author herself has self-described "low vision," and this may have been an OwnVoices kind of story. This book was originally written in the 2000s and was updated in 2018, so I wonder if that part of the story was changed at all. I hope I can improve my Spanish enough to read the updated work since it hasn't been translated into English.
My main complaint is—as expected—that this was just too short! I really wanted more. More reflections from Rachel, more with Rachel and the Fihdians, more with the Aanukiens and Fihdians possibly reconciling, and especially more with Rachel's son since the book ended on a very bittersweet note
darkor_lf's review against another edition
5.0
Un libro de ciencia ficción que la usa de marco para plantear preguntas sobre el lenguaje, su importancia; además de hablar de los prejuicios y explorar formas de organizarse.
Las ilustraciones son preciosas y es un libro que se lee en una tarde fácilmente
Las ilustraciones son preciosas y es un libro que se lee en una tarde fácilmente
eastofthesunwestofthemoon's review against another edition
4.0
3 1/2 stars. This book started out slowly, and seemed to have little plot. It read more like a field report until the last third. This last part of the book told most of the story and was also a good bit more lyrical than the earlier portion.
magratajostiernos's review against another edition
4.0
Una historia realmente bonita, reflexiva e intimista.
Un libro que consiguió ser un refugio para mi entre el estrés del día a día, y al que creo que no tardaré en volver ♥︎
Un libro que consiguió ser un refugio para mi entre el estrés del día a día, y al que creo que no tardaré en volver ♥︎
guillejican's review against another edition
5.0
Me habían dicho que había una especie de magia de lingüistas en este libro y me han mentido. Aunque entiendo que este libro parece magia para lingüistas. Es una novela antropológica sobre un par de culturas fantásticas y en mi opinión es de la mejor ciencia ficción que he leído nunca. Tiene una parte científica bien estudiada, planteada y presentada, y una parte de ficción maravillosa, con su pequeña historia, su relación de personajes, y ese aire y tono antropológico que me encanta.
Es una de las mejores historias de ciencia ficción que he leído, si no la mejor. Quizás sea algo personal, pero es una obra que me ha encandilado de principio a fin.
Es una de las mejores historias de ciencia ficción que he leído, si no la mejor. Quizás sea algo personal, pero es una obra que me ha encandilado de principio a fin.
lucialeben's review against another edition
4.0
Cuando me comentaron que se lee rápido no me esperaba que TANTO
anaurrutia's review against another edition
5.0
Súper chido, re bonito. Una novelita sobre lingüistas que te deja feliz jeje. <3