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readbycarina's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, and Stalking
Minor: Child death and War
lovelymisanthrope's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I selected this as one of my Book of the Month picks, and I thought it would be a great read to kick off 2024.
"Tomb Sweeping" is a collection of short stories that explores relationships, both relationships we have with ourselves, and relationships we have with other people. Each story is insightful, eye-opening, and reflective, which allows the reader to reflect on how their own relationships may be impacted by their behavior.
My favorite, and what I thought was the most memorable short story, was: "To Get Rich is Glorious". In this short story we get to see the life of Hang Chun Fu, or FuFu for short. Fufu lived a modest life, but she always aspired for more, and she was given the opportunity to do so when she was approached about organizing some Mahjah games. She does not believe she is doing anything wrong, and she does not believe she will get caught, all she sees is the opportunity to finally afford herself the lifestyle she has always aspired for.
I think this story in particular is so interesting because FuFu highlights how easy it can be to make one wrong step and it impact the rest of your life. She did not murder anyone, or do anything severely criminal, but she facilitated in the participation in gambling, which is a crime. I think this is a cautionary tale about learning to love what you have and being content with the life you have built, even if you cannot keep up with your neighbors and their designer handbag collection.
Each of these stories captivated me and forced me to reflect on my own life. I highly recommend this collection, and I look forward to reading more from Alexandra Chang in the future.
"Tomb Sweeping" is a collection of short stories that explores relationships, both relationships we have with ourselves, and relationships we have with other people. Each story is insightful, eye-opening, and reflective, which allows the reader to reflect on how their own relationships may be impacted by their behavior.
My favorite, and what I thought was the most memorable short story, was: "To Get Rich is Glorious". In this short story we get to see the life of Hang Chun Fu, or FuFu for short. Fufu lived a modest life, but she always aspired for more, and she was given the opportunity to do so when she was approached about organizing some Mahjah games. She does not believe she is doing anything wrong, and she does not believe she will get caught, all she sees is the opportunity to finally afford herself the lifestyle she has always aspired for.
I think this story in particular is so interesting because FuFu highlights how easy it can be to make one wrong step and it impact the rest of your life. She did not murder anyone, or do anything severely criminal, but she facilitated in the participation in gambling, which is a crime. I think this is a cautionary tale about learning to love what you have and being content with the life you have built, even if you cannot keep up with your neighbors and their designer handbag collection.
Each of these stories captivated me and forced me to reflect on my own life. I highly recommend this collection, and I look forward to reading more from Alexandra Chang in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Death
nashaytreads's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Side note: I am typically not a short story reader so that has likely colored my experience of reading this.
While the writing was creative and beautiful, and the story ideas themselves are creative, it often felt like they ended abruptly. I felt like as soon as we’d get to an interesting part or the crest of the story it’s just…end.
Li Fan was by far my favorite story. Phenotype had me questioning and wondering the most. The stories seem like mostly a collection of every day experiences of Asian characters, sometimes bordering on fantastical but I didn’t see a central theme necessarily.
Overall, if you enjoy short stories I’d recommend it. If not, it might not be the book for you. The cover though? Top tier.
While the writing was creative and beautiful, and the story ideas themselves are creative, it often felt like they ended abruptly. I felt like as soon as we’d get to an interesting part or the crest of the story it’s just…end.
Li Fan was by far my favorite story. Phenotype had me questioning and wondering the most. The stories seem like mostly a collection of every day experiences of Asian characters, sometimes bordering on fantastical but I didn’t see a central theme necessarily.
Overall, if you enjoy short stories I’d recommend it. If not, it might not be the book for you. The cover though? Top tier.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Grief, Pregnancy, Cursing, and Adult/minor relationship
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