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hwayoungg's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
fuckingsterling's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
marblemenow's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
poeticinstances's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this.
There were so many stories with so many unique messages to be said.
But after the first couple of stories, each one was shallow, predictable, and the writing style is rushed?
The stories had potential to be great. However I feel like every character was only two-dimensional because their story was rushed. There wasn’t much depth. (Or the author just went too deep too fast without enough build up)
Also the reoccurring theme of evangelism was kind of awkward.
I wish the number of stories in this book was slashed to half- that way the stories could have been longer and characters could develop more depth and individuality that stories of this theme deserve.
There were so many stories with so many unique messages to be said.
But after the first couple of stories, each one was shallow, predictable, and the writing style is rushed?
The stories had potential to be great. However I feel like every character was only two-dimensional because their story was rushed. There wasn’t much depth. (Or the author just went too deep too fast without enough build up)
Also the reoccurring theme of evangelism was kind of awkward.
I wish the number of stories in this book was slashed to half- that way the stories could have been longer and characters could develop more depth and individuality that stories of this theme deserve.
yi_shun_lai's review against another edition
5.0
Every story in this collection is worth poring over, from its chosen setting--an airplane; a village in Africa; a campground--to its characters.
Hua genuinely understands the need for every word to count. She explores the conceit of immigrant life from varied angles in this book, and never disappoints. Pick this one up. You won't be sorry. I read one or two each night before I went to bed and found myself looking at people in different ways each following day.
Hua genuinely understands the need for every word to count. She explores the conceit of immigrant life from varied angles in this book, and never disappoints. Pick this one up. You won't be sorry. I read one or two each night before I went to bed and found myself looking at people in different ways each following day.
vnesting's review
4.0
A compelling collection of short stories featuring first and second generation immigrants and the struggles they face. Narrators David Shih and Cindy Kay do an excellent job of conveying the poetry of author Vanessa Hua’s gorgeous prose.
hkburke2's review against another edition
4.0
Really compelling collection of stories. Some felt very familiar and others utterly new. Very strong, unique voices represented.
deannaogle's review against another edition
5.0
This collection is so very good. While the book is slim, don’t let that fool you into thinking this is just a breezy collection you can just skim through. You can tell that each and every word, each detail was put in place by Hua for a reason. The stories are incredible, each lending their voice to human fallibility and desire interplaying with one another. An absolutely incredible read.
spageddy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
lillyfei's review
5.0
Thank you to Counterpoint Press for sending me a copy of the 2020 resissue in exchange for an honest review.
Vanessa Hua is back! First published in 2016, Deceit and Other Possibilities is re-released with new stories. This is a powerful collection of immigrant stories that investigates identity and one's duty to family and tradition.
This was such a moving collection of short stories. As the name suggests, the main theme is deception. Deception comes in all forms, sometimes deceiving oneself because you're not ready for the truth. While the stories are all independent of each other, some feature recurring characters that weave a bigger story together.
The stories are quite diverse. Protagonists are of all ages and include immigrants from China, Japan, Korea, and Mexico. Hua also explores being LGBTQIA in a family that does not accept your sexual orientation. I was deeply immersed into the stories and was sad when each ended. Despite preferring novels, I'm extremely glad I could get snapshots of these characters' lives and struggles.
Vanessa Hua is back! First published in 2016, Deceit and Other Possibilities is re-released with new stories. This is a powerful collection of immigrant stories that investigates identity and one's duty to family and tradition.
This was such a moving collection of short stories. As the name suggests, the main theme is deception. Deception comes in all forms, sometimes deceiving oneself because you're not ready for the truth. While the stories are all independent of each other, some feature recurring characters that weave a bigger story together.
The stories are quite diverse. Protagonists are of all ages and include immigrants from China, Japan, Korea, and Mexico. Hua also explores being LGBTQIA in a family that does not accept your sexual orientation. I was deeply immersed into the stories and was sad when each ended. Despite preferring novels, I'm extremely glad I could get snapshots of these characters' lives and struggles.