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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
this book was SO GOOD
and it made me realise that there's another genre I like.... VERY speculative near-future science fiction. It's very underutilised as a genre, and I never fail to adore it. Ray Bradbury did it, it's used in Black Mirror and the Twilight Zone. And it's FANTASTIC. I NEVER expected to see it in a random short story collection by an Australian author.
This book's ideas will stick with me, not only for their weirdness, but also for how they made me feel.
It's great. I've rated each one - some were much better than others, which is always the way with short story collections - but on a whole it's a 4.5 star read.
and it made me realise that there's another genre I like.... VERY speculative near-future science fiction. It's very underutilised as a genre, and I never fail to adore it. Ray Bradbury did it, it's used in Black Mirror and the Twilight Zone. And it's FANTASTIC. I NEVER expected to see it in a random short story collection by an Australian author.
This book's ideas will stick with me, not only for their weirdness, but also for how they made me feel.
It's great. I've rated each one - some were much better than others, which is always the way with short story collections - but on a whole it's a 4.5 star read.
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a delightfully whimsical and witty short story collection!! Tan does a wonderful job of realistically describing reality whilst sprinkling in a bit of ~quirky magic~, like talking cat ovens, mermaids on the path to autonomy and clothes disappearing from washing machines nstionwide. These magical moments often provide a means of illustrating parts of the human condition (joy, sadness, mental health) or social commentary on current issues (capitalism, reliance on material goods, social media, relationship dynamics).
As with most collections, there are some stories that don't resonate with me. However, with this collection, this number is quite low (<5/20). Some of my favourites include 'Our Sleeping Lungs Opened To The Cold', 'Ron Swanson's Stencilled Stache', 'Yes! Yes! Yes You Are! Yes You Are!', 'Shirt Dresses that Look a Little Too Much Like Shirts so that It Looks Like You Forgot to Put on Pants (Love Will Save the Day)' and 'The Meal Channel'.gotta stop myself from listing the entire content list
I also really appreciated the inclusion of Australia, its cultural quirks and locations in some stories.
Looking forward to rereading this, along with checking out Tan's other books, in the future!
As with most collections, there are some stories that don't resonate with me. However, with this collection, this number is quite low (<5/20). Some of my favourites include 'Our Sleeping Lungs Opened To The Cold', 'Ron Swanson's Stencilled Stache', 'Yes! Yes! Yes You Are! Yes You Are!', 'Shirt Dresses that Look a Little Too Much Like Shirts so that It Looks Like You Forgot to Put on Pants (Love Will Save the Day)' and 'The Meal Channel'.
I also really appreciated the inclusion of Australia, its cultural quirks and locations in some stories.
Looking forward to rereading this, along with checking out Tan's other books, in the future!
I whizzed through this exceptionally written short story collection. Features strange but somehow realistic futures, sharply observed social commentary, laugh out loud moments, mind-twisting scenarios.
I absolutely adored this collection. Not just because many of the stories feature my home town, and so are more real in some ways than stories set in one of the many ubiquitous north american cities. The stories manage to be clever, enjoyable, and all so very different.
These are not all cheerful stories. Tan walks a fine line between realistic representations--of mental illness, racism, misogyny, homelessness--and overwhelming the reader.
These are not all cheerful stories. Tan walks a fine line between realistic representations--of mental illness, racism, misogyny, homelessness--and overwhelming the reader.
Hands up who has endless time to read? Anyone? Annnnyone??
That’s why I throw up my hands to praise short story collections. And this one perhaps takes the cake when it comes to my favourite reads of the year.
This. Book. Is. Amazing.
Smart Ovens for Lonely People is a quirky collection of short stories that will have you marvelling at author Tan’s imagination. Her fun and absurdist tales are beautifully written and will slap you awake with the intelligence quietly lurking beneath seemingly suburban subject matter.
From the moment I saw its title, I knew this would be a keeper. (That, and the fact that there is a chapter titled ‘Ron Swanson’s Stencilled ‘Stache’.) Smart Ovens for Lonely People suggests a whimsical adventure which nods to a serious message, if you read closely enough between the lines.
This suite of stories is fun and funny, with layered messages that should make us all pay attention. Themes of capitalism and commercialisation peek their head between the lines of enjoyable prose.
What a perfect book to transport you from reality to absurdity and back again. As ever with a short story compilation, you can pick this up when you’ve got a few minutes to spare, and marvel in the splendour of a well-told tale.
That’s why I throw up my hands to praise short story collections. And this one perhaps takes the cake when it comes to my favourite reads of the year.
This. Book. Is. Amazing.
Smart Ovens for Lonely People is a quirky collection of short stories that will have you marvelling at author Tan’s imagination. Her fun and absurdist tales are beautifully written and will slap you awake with the intelligence quietly lurking beneath seemingly suburban subject matter.
From the moment I saw its title, I knew this would be a keeper. (That, and the fact that there is a chapter titled ‘Ron Swanson’s Stencilled ‘Stache’.) Smart Ovens for Lonely People suggests a whimsical adventure which nods to a serious message, if you read closely enough between the lines.
This suite of stories is fun and funny, with layered messages that should make us all pay attention. Themes of capitalism and commercialisation peek their head between the lines of enjoyable prose.
What a perfect book to transport you from reality to absurdity and back again. As ever with a short story compilation, you can pick this up when you’ve got a few minutes to spare, and marvel in the splendour of a well-told tale.
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
I really liked this book! This is the first short story collection I’ve ever read and I was pleasantly surprised by the unusual and strange stories. Each story is unique and has the same erratic and confusing qualities that dreams have, but at the same time is profound and just makes sense. Really enjoyed seeing Australian references as well!
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
For some reason, I really thought short stories weren't for me?? This was obviously misguided.
I really liked this collection, a lot. Maybe it's more than four stars.
Fuck it, 4.5.
I really liked this collection, a lot. Maybe it's more than four stars.
Fuck it, 4.5.
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated