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ana27734's review
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
1.5
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Misogyny and Cancer
xosirenox's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The stories veer between having no meaning, and having heavy-handed meaning shoved down your throat.
There also don't seem to be any women who exist outside the love interest role? And there's a running vibe of incel thought patterns which put me off.
If you want good sci-fi short stories read Ted Chiang.
There also don't seem to be any women who exist outside the love interest role? And there's a running vibe of incel thought patterns which put me off.
If you want good sci-fi short stories read Ted Chiang.
vaia_the_reader's review
5.0
Playful and profound. The scope is the universe and the point is human experience and connection. Ready to read it again.
siebensommer's review against another edition
Maybe I am making a mistake, but maybe that’s what’s been missing.
semmons99's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
3.0
rieshyanne's review
3.0
some of the short stories were really good, others i skimmed through. it was an interesting collection of short stories
alkatsi's review
3.0
A playfully serious collection of short stories. I didn't infer any earth-moving sentiments, but found most of the stories to be relatable on an emotionally modern level (i.e. one particular story is told from the perspective of a video game character as it exists in the context of the game -- though I'm not an avid game player, it wasn't difficult to understand or relate to artistic interpretation). Good selection for a "side-dish" type book if you're the type of reader who likes to read a variety of things concurrently.
robotswithpersonality's review against another edition
Yu's work continues to exhibit a distinct creative voice, occasionally happily absurd, some introspective rambling, good dash of sci fi tropes remixed, healthy portion of pathos.
Faves:
First Person Shooter: Big box store retail workers with speculative elements -I loved Finna, Defekt and Horrorstor - I love how well this subgenre works and that I keep finding stories in it.
Hero Absorbs Major Damage: I know just enough about video games and DND to appreciate this take on the cliches.
Yeoman: A twist on that classic Star Trek 'red shirt' phenomenon, captain giving off definite 'randy Kirk' vibes
The Book of Categories: Enchanting storytelling format (at least to someone in info management/admin) and painful themes.
⚠️ sexual harrassment in the workplace, child death(?), suicide
Faves:
First Person Shooter: Big box store retail workers with speculative elements -I loved Finna, Defekt and Horrorstor - I love how well this subgenre works and that I keep finding stories in it.
Hero Absorbs Major Damage: I know just enough about video games and DND to appreciate this take on the cliches.
Yeoman: A twist on that classic Star Trek 'red shirt' phenomenon, captain giving off definite 'randy Kirk' vibes
The Book of Categories: Enchanting storytelling format (at least to someone in info management/admin) and painful themes.
⚠️ sexual harrassment in the workplace, child death(?), suicide
wynnepei's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0