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robotowilliam's review
3.0
An interesting story about an early scientist discovering the concept of entropy in a universe where a difference in air pressure is the source of all work. Not very deep, ultimately, and could have been shortened I think, but it was a clever way of presenting a concept that exists in our universe.
lamusadelils's review
4.0
Es difícil pensar en las historias de Chiang como cortas. Hay tanto dentro que la cuenta de palabras es secundaria.
En estos días he leído prácticamente todo su trabajo en ficción y sigo siendo sorprendida por esa sensación de no saber realmente que está pasando, de estar a punto de entender los universos surreales de sus historias pero no del todo. Chiang explica las reglas del juego pero no tenemos la experiencia al jugar.
Sobre la historia solo puedo decir que es una maravillosa forma de hacer preguntas filosóficas interesantes dentro de una historia de por si interesante. Y rara.
En estos días he leído prácticamente todo su trabajo en ficción y sigo siendo sorprendida por esa sensación de no saber realmente que está pasando, de estar a punto de entender los universos surreales de sus historias pero no del todo. Chiang explica las reglas del juego pero no tenemos la experiencia al jugar.
Sobre la historia solo puedo decir que es una maravillosa forma de hacer preguntas filosóficas interesantes dentro de una historia de por si interesante. Y rara.
verkisto's review
4.0
This story is an examination of consciousness, existence, and the universe, told from the perspective of an other. It's fascinating how Chiang can reflect everything that makes us human in something that, in the end, is so alien.
anatomydetective's review
5.0
I was very impressed with the amount of thought and innovation put into this short story. The character and world that Chiang constructed was nothing I'd ever encountered, yet he made it accessible and real. I don't want to spoil it by giving anything away. Highly, highly recommended and a quick read.
jokoloyo's review
4.0
If another author wrote this story, I will say this is a great short story. But this is Ted Chiang's standard work.
When reading a Ted Chiang work, I only check if his story has good plot or not. Idea and concept is the author's strength, and he usually exceeds my (high) expectations.
Well, this story has no gripping plot. That's the only bad thing of this story. You don't need my praise of this story, just read it!
When reading a Ted Chiang work, I only check if his story has good plot or not. Idea and concept is the author's strength, and he usually exceeds my (high) expectations.
Well, this story has no gripping plot. That's the only bad thing of this story. You don't need my praise of this story, just read it!
roshnara's review
4.0
A short meditation into the unknowns of life, and the price you pay for knowing them. Ted Chiang, in a few pages, not only creates a world of mechanical aliens with refillable, replaceable lungs, but takes us into their lives, into their science, into their wonderment at their own beings. And then, he smoothly surprises us with his reveal, which is equally awe inspiring and bleak. The narrator, an alien who decided to carry out a questionable experiment of himself, then goes on to ruminate about the meaning of his existence, and life in general.
Philosophical, beautifully narrated, interesting and extremely imaginative, this short has me reaching out for more of Chiang's works. And if other reviews are anything to go by, I highly doubt the chances of disappointment.
Philosophical, beautifully narrated, interesting and extremely imaginative, this short has me reaching out for more of Chiang's works. And if other reviews are anything to go by, I highly doubt the chances of disappointment.
macthekat's review
3.0
It is a great story, a really interesting piece of world building. However the voice of the narration bored me a great deal. Which is a shame and probably my problem rather than the stories, but I am reviewing my enjoyment of what I read, so I will give this 3 stars.
Read my full review here: http://wp.me/p40HVI-bN
Read my full review here: http://wp.me/p40HVI-bN
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