Scan barcode
jayisreading's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
This collection was definitely a mixed bag, with either me enjoying the short story or caring very little about it (if at all). Without a doubt, though, Chiang really knows how to craft a world and situation; even for the short stories I struggled with due to disinterest, I was still impressed with the way he wove everything together. Furthermore, each story posed such interesting questions and challenges to reflect on, whether it be the unreliability of mathematics as we know it, reckoning with the undeniable presence of God and His angels, or reconfiguring one’s reality through language. Perhaps not surprisingly, the gem of this collection is “Story of Your Life,” which may have been one of the best short stories I have read in a long while. (It has certainly incentivized me to finally get around to watching Arrival.) I now understand why it has received as much praise as it has.
To me, the short stories that are worth reading are: “Story of Your Life” (this one is a must, I’d say), “Tower of Babylon,” “Understand,” and possibly “Hell Is the Absence of God.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Bullying, Torture, and Classism
hannahhmh's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Infertility
kappafrog's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Car accident, Toxic friendship, Animal cruelty, and Violence
Minor: Torture
rlgreen91's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
What a wonderful collection of stories! I had never heard of Ted Chiang before, but I was happy to squeeze this book in for an online book club, and I'm so glad I did. Each story was wonderfully thought-provoking and engrossing.
In response to another reader's question, I'd have to say that "The Tower of Babylon", "Story of Your Life", and "Seventy-Two Letters" are tied for my favorite. As a fairly devout Christian, I loved the idea of an alternate version of the Tower of Babylon Bible story. I enjoyed the twists that emerged from the narrative structure of "Story of Your Life," as well as the linguistic and anthropological aspects of it - it reminded me a bit of "Speech Sounds" by Octavia E. Butler, another short story I really enjoyed. Finally, I loved "Seventy-Two Letters" because it also invoked linguistic and anthropological concepts - how do you create an epithet that reflects the essence of something? But Stratton's work is so similar at its core to what I do as a software developer. And the way Chiang captured Stratton's final idea was perfect - it was exquisite prose that managed to capture not just how revolutionary the discovery of DNA must have been, but also that moment when you've been puzzling over a difficult problem in programming and you finally figure out a simple, elegant solution. Well, maybe I do have a singular favorite after all, haha.
But really, these short stories are great. I believe Chiang has another collection so I'll have to pick it up soon. 5 stars.
In response to another reader's question, I'd have to say that "The Tower of Babylon", "Story of Your Life", and "Seventy-Two Letters" are tied for my favorite. As a fairly devout Christian, I loved the idea of an alternate version of the Tower of Babylon Bible story. I enjoyed the twists that emerged from the narrative structure of "Story of Your Life," as well as the linguistic and anthropological aspects of it - it reminded me a bit of "Speech Sounds" by Octavia E. Butler, another short story I really enjoyed. Finally, I loved "Seventy-Two Letters" because it also invoked linguistic and anthropological concepts - how do you create an epithet that reflects the essence of something? But Stratton's work is so similar at its core to what I do as a software developer. And the way Chiang captured Stratton's final idea was perfect - it was exquisite prose that managed to capture not just how revolutionary the discovery of DNA must have been, but also that moment when you've been puzzling over a difficult problem in programming and you finally figure out a simple, elegant solution. Well, maybe I do have a singular favorite after all, haha.
But really, these short stories are great. I believe Chiang has another collection so I'll have to pick it up soon. 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide attempt, and Classism
Minor: Misogyny
More...