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jcarolm's review
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
leonidasm's review against another edition
4.0
Το να διαβάζω για την ιστορία μιας χώρας μέσα από τις ιστορίες καθημερινών, πολλές φορές ανθρώπων απαρατηρητων, είναι μια από τις αναγνωστικές μου απολαύσεις. Η συγκεκριμένη συλλογή διηγημάτων είναι αυτό ακριβώς. Η Yiyun Li κριτικάρει μέσα από ζωές κομπάρσων της ζωής, το κομμουνιστικό καθεστώς της Κίνας, στήνοντας άλλες φορές απλές ανθρώπινες ιστορίες μετανάστευσης στο αμερικανικό όνειρο και άλλες φορές ιστορίες τραγελαφικές που καταλήγουν σκέτα τραγικές μέσα από την υπερβολή τους.
Κάποια από αυτά τα διηγηματα είναι αληθινά διαμαντακια. Δεν εμεινα καθ'όλη τη διάρκεια μαζί της όμως. 3,5
Κάποια από αυτά τα διηγηματα είναι αληθινά διαμαντακια. Δεν εμεινα καθ'όλη τη διάρκεια μαζί της όμως. 3,5
pogseu's review against another edition
5.0
I came across this author after reading/listening to a very touching article she wrote for The New Yorker entitled “Make My House Your Inn” (which I highly recommend, btw!)
The writing was so beautiful, and the story so touching, that I immediately purchased two books by her—the novel Where Reasons End, and this collection of short stories.
I am not usually a fast reader when it comes to short story collections, because I usually dislike jumping from one topic I just immersed myself in to another where everything and everyone is different. But somehow, the writing was so absorbing and the stories such amazing slices of life, that I couldn’t stop. And yet I still remember each story separately, and I believe they will stay with me for a long time.
The review from the New Statesman says it better than I could: “Li has a remarkable talent for telling the story of the whole of China through apparently insignificant lives.”
Highly recommended! And probably one of the few books I would deem worth of a reread (because there’s so little time...!)
5 stars from me.
The writing was so beautiful, and the story so touching, that I immediately purchased two books by her—the novel Where Reasons End, and this collection of short stories.
I am not usually a fast reader when it comes to short story collections, because I usually dislike jumping from one topic I just immersed myself in to another where everything and everyone is different. But somehow, the writing was so absorbing and the stories such amazing slices of life, that I couldn’t stop. And yet I still remember each story separately, and I believe they will stay with me for a long time.
The review from the New Statesman says it better than I could: “Li has a remarkable talent for telling the story of the whole of China through apparently insignificant lives.”
Highly recommended! And probably one of the few books I would deem worth of a reread (because there’s so little time...!)
5 stars from me.
daniella84's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Stories about family, love, and coming-of-age in a China stuck between communism and capitalism.
None of the stories particularly stood out to me and don't think it will be memorable but was fine enough while reading.
None of the stories particularly stood out to me and don't think it will be memorable but was fine enough while reading.
etakzyxy's review
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
5.0
This early short story collection by Yiyun Li has all but one story is set in China and they often have the feel of a folktale. From the village that supplies eunuchs to the Imperial Court to a chilly Chicago street, the author tells stories that illuminate what it is to be human. This is a solid collection that is understated and full of detail.
manoncremers's review
3.0
A Thousand Years of Good Prayers holds a very diverse range of stories that are each both reserved and so intricately layered. Because not every story is as easily accessible when it comes to their structure and symbolism, further analyses and multiple readings are beneficial in order to enjoy them to the fullest.
Extra: 3 stars
After a Life: 2 stars
Immortality: 4 stars
The Princess of Nebraska: 3 stars
Love in the Marketplace: 5 stars
Son: 4 stars
The Arrangement: 3 stars
Death Is Not a Bad Joke If Told the Right Way: 4 stars
Persimmons: 3 stars
A Thousand Years of Good Prayers: 2 stars
Extra: 3 stars
After a Life: 2 stars
Immortality: 4 stars
The Princess of Nebraska: 3 stars
Love in the Marketplace: 5 stars
Son: 4 stars
The Arrangement: 3 stars
Death Is Not a Bad Joke If Told the Right Way: 4 stars
Persimmons: 3 stars
A Thousand Years of Good Prayers: 2 stars
janson's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.0
Interesting peeks into other worlds and other lives, yet none of it quite stuck.
yjpenny's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
tzurky's review
5.0
An excellent book, very emotional. The stories were gut-wrenching (which I enjoy), perhaps even more so because they seemed true to life. I would recommend it to anyone who can stomach the unpleasantness of reading about the realities of life we try to escape by immersing ourselves into books.
While the stories were uniquely Chinese, in that they reflect the political, economic and social context of the country, they deal with universal human experiences, such as love, family, finding purpose in live etc.
I was surprised, however, at all the goodreads reviews bringing up how the stories are so critical of China (for better or worse). I believe them to be more far-reaching in scope. Being born in another former communist country, whose society is similarly traditional, I see most of the issues brought up in the stories reflected in the social relationships of my home country and I believe that they may apply to all traditional societies who place value on an individual only in relation to his or her contribution to that society. For instance, I immagine that filial devotion is a similarly crushing responsibility (my personal opinion on the topic) in India or Japan, two countries that were never communist.
While the stories were uniquely Chinese, in that they reflect the political, economic and social context of the country, they deal with universal human experiences, such as love, family, finding purpose in live etc.
I was surprised, however, at all the goodreads reviews bringing up how the stories are so critical of China (for better or worse). I believe them to be more far-reaching in scope. Being born in another former communist country, whose society is similarly traditional, I see most of the issues brought up in the stories reflected in the social relationships of my home country and I believe that they may apply to all traditional societies who place value on an individual only in relation to his or her contribution to that society. For instance, I immagine that filial devotion is a similarly crushing responsibility (my personal opinion on the topic) in India or Japan, two countries that were never communist.