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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Only Ling Ma could dream up a set of short stories as wild and whimsical as these, featuring:
1. A woman who lives in a house with her 100 ex-boyfriends
2. Drugs that turn you invisible
3. Yeti sex
-and several more slightly unhinged but strangely moving premises. I definitely enjoyed some stories more than others (G, Returning, and Peking Duck were some of my faves), but there weren't any that I actively disliked. Each one is uniquely weird, presenting its own creative themes and insights. While I ultimately enjoyed Ma's long-form book "Severance" more than "Bliss Montage," I'll probably continue to indiscriminately read anything and everything she puts out.
1. A woman who lives in a house with her 100 ex-boyfriends
2. Drugs that turn you invisible
3. Yeti sex
-and several more slightly unhinged but strangely moving premises. I definitely enjoyed some stories more than others (G, Returning, and Peking Duck were some of my faves), but there weren't any that I actively disliked. Each one is uniquely weird, presenting its own creative themes and insights. While I ultimately enjoyed Ma's long-form book "Severance" more than "Bliss Montage," I'll probably continue to indiscriminately read anything and everything she puts out.
This short story collection is one of my favorite reads based on the surrealist setting and plot elements, as well as the themes of mundanity and loneliness that are explored in a realistically present way.
The representation of isolation and misdirection within these short stories is one of the most prevalent themes within this collection, and the way each one has a character going through the same over-arching dilemma is a pretty beautiful thing. The setting throughout the collection change in design only, but continue to represent Ma’s alienation with the world and surreal elements with the relationships she has.
The representation of isolation and misdirection within these short stories is one of the most prevalent themes within this collection, and the way each one has a character going through the same over-arching dilemma is a pretty beautiful thing. The setting throughout the collection change in design only, but continue to represent Ma’s alienation with the world and surreal elements with the relationships she has.
A wildly imaginative short story collection centered around Asian women, There's something in Ling Ma's writing that possesses a quality that feels both strange yet comforting, unsettling yet familiar. The collection features some odd yet funny stories that went from the chronicles of ex-boyfriends to having sex with a yeti to a baby arm protruding from a mother's belly. Some stories explore themes of family, relationships, and life contentment, leaving some deep cuts. Most of the stories shaped up quite nicely, while others left me unsure if I had understood them correctly. But, one thing's for sure—from now on if I see oranges anywhere, my mind will automatically associate them with this book. I enjoyed the experience overall.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
medium-paced
I enjoyed peking duck, G , returning and tommmorow the most out of the collection but tbh i just found the book to be a bit underwhelming. I dont think short stories is really my thing and the humor kinda feel flat to me.
I really enjoyed reading the themes surrounding being an asian american immigrant and how that impacts your identity tho
I really enjoyed reading the themes surrounding being an asian american immigrant and how that impacts your identity tho
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense