You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.58 AVERAGE
4.58 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"I was so happy when I looked into your face and saw shades of my mother, my father, and myself. I had lost my entire family, all of Sigulu, everything I ever knew and loved. But there you were, and your face was proof that they were real. I hadn't made them up."
After finishing The Grace of Kings last night, I didn't know what to read next but remembered that Ken Liu wrote The Paper Menagerie and it went on to win three major awards: Hugo, Nebula and World Fantasy Awards in the same year. So I thought to myself, "Sure, why not? Let's see what all the fuss is about."
IT DESERVES ALL THE AWARDS AND MORE!
The Paper Menagerie is about a chinese mother and her son for whom she makes paper animals and breathes life into them. While her son is growing up, he gets bullied and takes it out on his mother and they slowly grow apart as the years pass by.
The ending had me teary-eyed and devastated. Fantasy elements aside, this is a story about love, family, identity and traditions. I know that this review may not give the story justice but I promise that this is worth the read.
the author ought to give a warning not to read this in public. 5/5
Well-written, but did not agree with my current frame of mind. Rather than sympathizing with the MC, I wanted to slap him. Repeatedly. I could even see why he tried to push his heritage away, and it still just made me angry.
That said, I loved the menagerie, and all the little cultural details, and the revealed history. In a different frame of mind, I would almost certainly have enjoyed it more.
Recommended.
That said, I loved the menagerie, and all the little cultural details, and the revealed history. In a different frame of mind, I would almost certainly have enjoyed it more.
Recommended.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Couldn't stop crying after reading the story. Heart touching, sad. Loved it.
I loved the writing and the themes in this one. Such a special, beautiful story that managed to feel complete despite being so short. Shoutout to Adria (@atmreads) for making me pick it up!
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes