Scan barcode
annescorner's review against another edition
unfortunately not for me. I was really interested in Chinese translated fiction and found this collection of sci-fi short stories. however, it was most likely the format I did not enjoy, not the writing per se. I just realised that short stories just are not for me.
caaarolking's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition
oopsie, found out i just don't really like short story collections
blbst36's review against another edition
4.0
I skipped two that were horribly boring, but the rest were fantastic
lauren890's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
shelleyanderson4127's review against another edition
3.0
A solid collection of 16 modern Chinese short sci-fi stories, and three essays. The first few stories were so-so. They reminded me of older science fiction writers like Asimov, in that the writing was sparse and uninspiring, but the ideas exciting. One of these short stories was by Hugo-winner Liu Cixin, whose trilogy beginning with The Three-Body Solution was very enjoyable. The story 'Moonlight'--not so much. But after the first few stories the collection really soars! Clever, imaginative, well-written: it makes this non-Chinese reader want to get her hands on more writing by the likes of Chen Quifan, Regina Kanyu Wang, MA Boyong, Hao Jinfang and others. Thoroughly enjoyable. If you haven't read the translator's own book of short stories, The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu, you're in for a treat.
cameroncl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Ken Liu's second collection of translated Chinese scifi short stories. Nothing in this set quite hits the heights of "Folding Beijing" in the previous anthology ("Invisible Planets") but the works here are *way* more varied in form, structure, and theme. This is especially true of stories in the back half of the set - "The First Emperor's Games", "Coming of the Light", and "A History of Future Illnesses" Capped off with three essays on the history of Chinese scifi as both a Fandom and as a subcategory of literary studies.
marmarta's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? N/A
5.0
This is an amazing introduction to a wide array of mind-bending Chinese SF. Anyone interested in SF, Chinese literature or just an thought-provoking read should read it.
kellyvandermeulen's review against another edition
3.0
There are some stories that I barely followed, some mediocre, and a few that I really really enjoyed. Together with the essays at the end a wonderful compilation.