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babymoomoocow's review
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I think this was a great idea. I loved the concept and I enjoyed the story. Ken Liu did a great job translating it. There were a few idioms that were translated that I didn't feel like it made sense to western readers and I did have to google one or two but I think that added to the story.
I did feel like the ending was anticlimactic, however, I think it still fits. I was talking about it with my partner and he pointed out that Lao Dao did it for selfless reasons. He wasn't trying to change the world, just get by.
It's a fun story, short, and totally deserving of winning the Hugo award it did.
I did feel like the ending was anticlimactic, however, I think it still fits. I was talking about it with my partner and he pointed out that Lao Dao did it for selfless reasons. He wasn't trying to change the world, just get by.
It's a fun story, short, and totally deserving of winning the Hugo award it did.
corvo_1795's review
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
sonice's review
4.0
3.5 stars. It's a short look at a dystopian city that compartmentalizes its classes in a very literal sense, with socioeconomic issues being at heart of the plot. Very short, and yet says a lot.
ninj's review
4.0
An engrossing story about a man living in Third Space, travelling to First Space for a man from Second Space, all of which are time/space sliced aspects of Beijing, dividing class/wealth. The phrasing felt a little stilted or strange at first, but that's quickly overcome by the exploration angle.
susanatherly's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
mochand's review
4.0
A short but interesting take on class being physically realised and the callousness of how people tend to overlook or ignore the reality of the world they live in across the divides.. It's interesting to also see this oppression realised but unlike most SF there's no grand journey or rebellion. The situation is what it is basically. There's opportunities to improve but to a third space citizen the dreams seem hopeless. Definitely recommend reading the authors interview regarding her own experience in there sorts of spaces and you can see the sincerity of the concerns on power held by policy makers and their disassociation with the people their policies affect.